Year: 1996
Type: article
Abstract: Dispersal behavior of Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) was compared for birds with territories in fragmented, suburbanized habitat designated "suburban" and birds with territories in undeveloped habitat designated "preserve."During the 5-year study period, most dispersals from preserve territories occurred in early spring, and from suburban territories in spring and fall.In suburban territories, at least one dispersal occurred during every month of the year.The average dispersal distance for female Florida Scrub-Jays from suburban territories was significantly greater than for females from preserve territories (8.1 km vs. 0.6 km, respectively; t=10.2, p<0.01).Eight of 29 suburban females of known age dispersed before one year of age.Excluding a daughter that accompanied her mother, none of the 22 female dispersers from preserve territories were less than one year of age.Of 128 dispersals by both sexes, 41 were from suburban to suburban territories, 46 were from preserve to preserve territories, and 41 were from suburban to preserve territories.No birds dispersed from preserve to suburban territories.Longer dispersal distances at an earlier age by suburban females are attributed to habitat fragmentation and the absence of adjacent territories that young birds might monitor for breeding opportunities.The absence of dispersals to suburban territories by preserve birds is attributed to habitat degradation.Higher mortality rates due to dispersal characteristics, and the lack of dispersal from preserve to suburban territories, leave isolated suburban territories more vulnerable to extirpation of their resident birds-a factor that must be considered in conservation plans for this species.
Authors: Thaxton, J. E., Hingtgen, T. M.
Language: English
Topic: Avian ecology and behavior
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7009376351