Habitat preferences of the threatened Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica in southern Italy

Abstract

Capsule We analysed habitat preferences of Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica of the eastern subspecies (O. hispanica melanoleuca) in South Italy, considering 1-ha (coinciding with territory size) square plots (49 occupied and 49 unoccupied). We used multi-adaptive regression splines to model habitat preferences. Black-eared Wheatear occurrence was positively associated with three factors: aspect (a SE orientation was preferred), cover of grazed grassland and cover of bare ground. Species conservation should be based on the maintenance of grazed grasslands, especially on SE-facing slopes, and including at least 2500 m2 of bare ground per ha.