Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment
Abstract Background Intentional winter bird feeding in gardens is one of the most common interactions between birds and humans. Because feeding may have both desired effects (provisioning of nutritious food for under-nourished birds) and undesired effects (favouritism of competitively superior speci...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2018-05-01
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| Series: | Avian Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-018-0111-z |
| _version_ | 1797965016867012608 |
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| author | Piotr Tryjanowski Anders Pape Møller Federico Morelli Piotr Indykiewicz Piotr Zduniak Łukasz Myczko |
| author_facet | Piotr Tryjanowski Anders Pape Møller Federico Morelli Piotr Indykiewicz Piotr Zduniak Łukasz Myczko |
| author_sort | Piotr Tryjanowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Intentional winter bird feeding in gardens is one of the most common interactions between birds and humans. Because feeding may have both desired effects (provisioning of nutritious food for under-nourished birds) and undesired effects (favouritism of competitively superior species, transmission of disease), management of supplementary sites should be optimized from an ecological and conservation perspective. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to experimentally test winter food preferences of birds, with underlying potential influence of habitat (rural vs. urban) on realised food preferences pattern. Methods We conducted an experimental analysis of food preferences of wintering birds by provided bird-feeders in urban and rural environments across Poland. Data were collected twice during winter 2013–2014 across Poland, in total with 80 experimental trials. Results Sunflower seeds were the most preferred food supplement both in urban and rural habitats, significantly more exploited than any other food simultaneously available in feeders (animal fat, millet seed and dry fruits of rowanberry). However, no significant differences were recorded between urban and rural habitats in use of food. Conclusions The degree of use of a particular type of food at bird-feeders depended on the overall use of food in a bird-feeder—consumption of each of the four types of food was significantly positively correlated with that of the others, and it was positively correlated with the number of birds observed at the feeders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:52:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eae2c6840cae4dc3a4879b237882ff42 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2053-7166 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:52:33Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Avian Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-eae2c6840cae4dc3a4879b237882ff422023-01-03T06:07:11ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662018-05-01911610.1186/s40657-018-0111-zFood preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experimentPiotr Tryjanowski0Anders Pape Møller1Federico Morelli2Piotr Indykiewicz3Piotr Zduniak4Łukasz Myczko5Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life SciencesEcologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayDepartment of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences PragueDepartment of Zoology and Landscaping, University of Technology and Life SciencesDepartment of Avian Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in PoznańInstitute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life SciencesAbstract Background Intentional winter bird feeding in gardens is one of the most common interactions between birds and humans. Because feeding may have both desired effects (provisioning of nutritious food for under-nourished birds) and undesired effects (favouritism of competitively superior species, transmission of disease), management of supplementary sites should be optimized from an ecological and conservation perspective. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to experimentally test winter food preferences of birds, with underlying potential influence of habitat (rural vs. urban) on realised food preferences pattern. Methods We conducted an experimental analysis of food preferences of wintering birds by provided bird-feeders in urban and rural environments across Poland. Data were collected twice during winter 2013–2014 across Poland, in total with 80 experimental trials. Results Sunflower seeds were the most preferred food supplement both in urban and rural habitats, significantly more exploited than any other food simultaneously available in feeders (animal fat, millet seed and dry fruits of rowanberry). However, no significant differences were recorded between urban and rural habitats in use of food. Conclusions The degree of use of a particular type of food at bird-feeders depended on the overall use of food in a bird-feeder—consumption of each of the four types of food was significantly positively correlated with that of the others, and it was positively correlated with the number of birds observed at the feeders.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-018-0111-zBirdFood preferencesHuman–animal interactionsSupplementary foodWinter |
| spellingShingle | Piotr Tryjanowski Anders Pape Møller Federico Morelli Piotr Indykiewicz Piotr Zduniak Łukasz Myczko Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment Avian Research Bird Food preferences Human–animal interactions Supplementary food Winter |
| title | Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment |
| title_full | Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment |
| title_fullStr | Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment |
| title_short | Food preferences by birds using bird-feeders in winter: a large-scale experiment |
| title_sort | food preferences by birds using bird feeders in winter a large scale experiment |
| topic | Bird Food preferences Human–animal interactions Supplementary food Winter |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-018-0111-z |
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