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Foraging by Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus away from their nesting areas
Author(s) -
ALEXANDER IAN,
CRESSWELL BRIAN
Publication year - 1990
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.1990.tb00280.x
Subject(s) - woodland , habitat , foraging , geography , nesting (process) , deciduous , ecology , grassland , arable land , predation , biology , materials science , metallurgy , agriculture
Radio‐tagged Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus nesting in conifer plantation clearings and on lowland heath in Dorset travelled an average of 3.1 km away from their nesting areas at night to atypical habitats, presumably to feed. Comparison of habitat availability with use showed that Nightjars preferred deciduous or mixed woodland habitats, while they avoided conifer plantations and arable or improved grassland. Absence from the nesting area was recorded on 72 % of bird‐nights and birds were least likely to be away during the middle third of the night. The use of atypical habitats may have implications for Nightjar conservation.