EPHEMERAL FOOD RESOURCES AND HIGH CONSPECIFIC DENSITIES AS FACTORS EXPLAINING LACK OF FEEDING TERRITORIES IN NORTHERN FLICKERS (COLAPTES AURATUS)

Candace L. Elchuk; Karen L. Wiebe

doi:10.1642/0004-8038(2003)120[0187:EFRAHC]2.0.CO;2

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1 January 2003 EPHEMERAL FOOD RESOURCES AND HIGH CONSPECIFIC DENSITIES AS FACTORS EXPLAINING LACK OF FEEDING TERRITORIES IN NORTHERN FLICKERS (COLAPTES AURATUS)

Candace L. Elchuk, Karen L. Wiebe

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The Auk, 120(1):187-193 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1642/0004-8038(2003)120[0187:EFRAHC]2.0.CO;2

Abstract

If Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) defend feeding territories was investigated by examining home-range overlap, social interactions at foraging sites, and the predictability and subsequent defendability of their main food source, ants. Flickers did not defend feeding territories, foraging with conspecifics in 29% of observations without visible aggressive behavior. Mean (± SD) percent cumulative home-range overlap between radiotagged individuals was 50 ± 32%; competitor density was positively related to overlap. Rain and temperature extremes reduced surface activity of potential ant prey. Simulated foraging over time decreased the number of active anthills in plots when compared to controls. Food predictability and competitive pressure may act together to make territories uneconomical for flickers to defend.

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Candace L. Elchuk and Karen L. Wiebe "EPHEMERAL FOOD RESOURCES AND HIGH CONSPECIFIC DENSITIES AS FACTORS EXPLAINING LACK OF FEEDING TERRITORIES IN NORTHERN FLICKERS (COLAPTES AURATUS)," The Auk 120(1), 187-193, (1 January 2003). https://doi.org/10.1642/0004-8038(2003)120[0187:EFRAHC]2.0.CO;2

Received: 15 February 2002; Accepted: 1 October 2002; Published: 1 January 2003

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