Habitat choice of Red-breasted Flycatchers Ficedula parva is dependent on forestry management and game activity in a deciduous forest in Vienna (Austria)

Abstract

Capsule Forest management and game populations have a major impact on the distribution of Red-breasted Flycatchers. Aims To improve the understanding of habitat choice by Red-breasted Flycatchers and to provide a basis for nature conservation measures. Methods The abundance and distribution of Red-breasted Flycatchers were investigated on 23 survey areas of approximately 150 ha. Habitat structure was measured at 42 points in territories and at 151 control points outside territories. Differences in forest structure between territories and control points were highlighted using discriminant function analyses. Results Territories of Red-breasted Flycatchers correlated positively with the portion of hornbeam, the age of the stands and volume of lying dead trunks. Territories were mainly found in stands with high levels of mammalian game activity and accordingly a more sparse bush layer and less ground cover. Territories were closer to ditches than to control points. Red-breasted Flycatchers avoided stands under intensive forestry management. Conclusion Along with forestry management, the activity of mammalian game has major impacts on forest structure. Accordingly, the effect of mammalian game activity can have important implications for nature conservation.