The role of fruit diet within a temperate breeding bird community in southern Spain

Abstract

In southern temperate regions many fleshy-fruited plant species ripen their fruits during the breeding or early post-breeding season and these are consumed by resident birds. I studied the frugivore community of the summer-fruiting tree Frangula alnus ssp. baetica in southern Spain and the significance of fruit in the diet of adult and recently fledged birds. Twelve species consumed F. alnus fruits. Almost 97% of the foraging visits were carried out by the four most abundant species, Robin Erithacus rubecula, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Blackbird Turdus merula and Blue Tit Parus caeruleus. During the ripening season Robins and Blackcaps concentrated at fruit-rich sites. Entire families of Blackcap and Blackbird regularly entered fruiting trees together. In contrast, adult Robins always foraged solitarily, and accounted for only 4% of the tree visits, while 96% were realized by recently fledged birds of the first brood. In all species, young birds foraged as efficiently as adults. F. alnus fruits are not part of the regular nestling diet, but they are a significant part of the diet for recently fledged Robins during their postnatal dispersal. Conversely, these are the most important and effective seed dispersers while adult Robins scarcely take part in the dispersal of F. alnus seeds.