Habitat characteristics, age, and arrival date of male Red-breasted Flycatchers Ficedula parva

Abstract

Avian territory quality can vary with the availability of good habitats, the structure of the population, the age and quality of individuals. Here, we describe the territories of the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva in relation to male age and arrival time. In the territories of Red-breasted Flycatchers, hornbeam Carpinus betulus was the dominant live tree species and spruce Picea abies was the dominant snag (standing dead tree) species. Snags constituted 20.2% of tree stands. The density of live trees ranged from 164 to 680 indiv./ha (x = 410 ± 123.8), and density of snags ranged from 0 to 156 indiv./ha (x = 4.2 ± 22.5). Old males settled on territories earlier in the season than did young males. Living tree density and circumference of trees and snags differed between old and young males. Old males settled on territories with larger live trees, larger snags and higher living tree densities than did younger males. Male age, however, was not related to the density of snags nor to tree species composition, this suggested that old males probably chose territories with a greater density of living trees and old stands to reduce vulnerability to predation.