Territory size and habitat selection of Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi in Nigeria

Abstract

Most of our understanding of territorial behaviour in birds comes from studies of temperate species. Territoriality and factors influencing territory size of tropical birds are still poorly studied. In this study, 11 territories of the Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi were measured in the Amurum Forest Reserve and adjoining farmlands. Factors influencing the habitat choice of this species were also studied. Territory sizes ranged from 0.1–0.3 ha with a mean territory size of 0.19 ± 0.1ha. Territory size decreased with increasing food abundance and increased with tree height and number of saplings. The birds did not show signs of territoriality in farmlands but flocked in small groups (mean group size 6.88 ± 0.89). Flock size also increased with increasing number of seeds. In the forested land, birds showed a preference for rocky outcrops, whereas in farmlands, they appeared to prefer open and newly cultivated farmlands with little or no ground cover. Understanding the influence of habitat variables on territory size and habitat selection in a locally abundant and widely distributed tropical species such as the Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting thus offers unique opportunities for understanding how changes in landscape caused by land-use regimes may affect populations.