Territory size and habitat selection in subadult and adult males of Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) in an urban environment

Abstract

Territory size, distribution of territories and habitat selection were studied in Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) populations in three urban habitats (garden city, old and new housing estates) of Prague (Czech Republic). We tested if the territory size and quality of territories occupied by adult and subadult males differed from each other. Average territory size of the adult males was 1.21 ± 0.80(SD) ha and of the subadult males 1.08 ± 0.58(SD) ha. This difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, males of particular age-class were not spatially clustered. Microhabitat analysis shows that the habitat selection depends on the presence of buildings. Apparently buildings offer a good nesting, singing and foraging places for the Black Redstart. The territory size of Black Redstarts differed between habitats, being largest in the garden city (1.98 ± 1.06 (SD) ha), intermediate in the old housing estate (1.48 ± 0.45 (SD ha) and smallest in the new housing estate (0.85 ± 0.33 (SD) ha). Our results indicate that in urban environment the relationships between adult and subadult territory owners differ from those referred to in mountain villages.