Territory settlement and site fidelity in Reed Buntings Emberiza schoeniclus

Abstract

Capsule Site fidelity and territory settlement is probably limited by the occupancy of suitable sites by males and the high mortality in females. Aim To investigate the relationship between territory settlement and site fidelity in Reed Buntings. Methods Two hundred and seventy Reed Buntings were colour‐ringed at five fishponds in South Bohemia, the Czech Republic, in 2000–2009. Model selection was used to test the effect of individual covariates (sex, age, weight and body measurements) on apparent survival and recapture probabilities. Results There is a correlation between territory settlement and site fidelity. Older males were more frequently re‐sighted in the study area during the year of ringing. Moreover, males were more frequently recovered in subsequent breeding seasons. An effect of body measurements as well as body weight did not appear evident. An effect of breeding performance in previous seasons on site fidelity was not found. Conclusion There is a connection between territory settlement and site fidelity in the early‐arriving Reed Buntings. Site fidelity and territory settlement is probably limited by the occupancy of suitable sites by males and the high mortality in females most likely caused by the extended breeding season in the study area. Moreover, territory settlement, and marginally, site fidelity is associated with the previous experience of males. Forming pre‐breeding flocks probably provides an addition of nutrition reserves after spring arrival. High competition between males and lack of suitable breeding habitats, owing to occupancy by older residents, indicated the crucial importance of small fragmented wetlands to this species in this study area.