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TERRITORY IN THE BLACKBIRD TURDUS MERULA.
Author(s) -
Snow D. W.
Publication year - 1956
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1956.tb01428.x
Subject(s) - nest (protein structural motif) , seasonal breeder , geography , habitat , ecology , spring (device) , zoology , biology , mechanical engineering , biochemistry , engineering
Summary.1 The territorial behaviour of the Blackbird has been studied in a garden habitat holding 11–17 pairs. The average size of territories has been from 0.4 to 0.6 acres. 2 Old males maintain their territories all the year round, and their mates usually stay with them. Young males begin to take up territories in their first autumn, but most do not become well established until February or March. Young females show preferences for particular areas, which they defend against other females, and may associate with the owning males, but the definitive pairs for the breeding season are not usually formed until early spring. 3 There are frequent minor changes in territories during the breeding season, and in addition territorial activity fluctuates with each nest‐cycle, defence being strictest when a new nest is being started. 4 It appears to be essential for a male to have a territory in order to obtain a mate. Spring song is nearly all from young males which are claiming a territory; it has no essential function in pair‐formation. Once a mate is acquired, defence of a territory is to some extent modified so as to include defence of the mate. 5 Territory is not used principally as a source of food, for either adults or young. Its possible functions are discussed.