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1 July 2005 Winter Diet of Great Pampa-Finches Embernagra platensis in Guaminí Lagoon, Argentina
Diego Montalti, Laura M. Ferman, Anibal R. Camperi, Guillermo E. Soave, Ana M. Arambarri, Carlos A. Darrieu
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The diet of the Great Pampa-finch includes seeds rather than insects. Our objective was to study its diet during the winter season and, whenever possible, to record differences between the sexes in diet patterns. This species was studied at Guamini Lagoon, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The stomach content of 38 adult birds was investigated. The analysis shows that the food eaten by E. platensis consisted of seeds (60%) (Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae, Ciperaceae and Poaceae) and insects (39%) (Bellostomatidae, Dytiscidae, Curculionidae, Coccinelidae, Formicidae and Apidae). Males ate more insects and, overall, more items than females. These, in turn, consumed a greater amount of plants. Niche breadth values were 2.9 for males and 3.1 for females. The seeds encountered were those of plant species typically associated with the pampas.

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Diego Montalti, Laura M. Ferman, Anibal R. Camperi, Guillermo E. Soave, Ana M. Arambarri, and Carlos A. Darrieu "Winter Diet of Great Pampa-Finches Embernagra platensis in Guaminí Lagoon, Argentina," Acta Ornithologica 40(1), 79-82, (1 July 2005). https://doi.org/10.3161/068.040.0103
Received: 1 September 2004; Accepted: 1 March 2005; Published: 1 July 2005
KEYWORDS
Argentina
diet
differences between sexes
Embernagra platensis
Great Pampa-finch
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