Spring-season social organsization of the Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia) in relation to habitat type in temperate forests of South Korea

Abstract

Spring-season social organization of the Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia) was assessed in relation to habitat type by radio tracking 16 males and 19 females between February (late winter) and June (spring), 2004-2006, in a 3, 000-ha study area of temperate forest in South Korea. In spring (breeding season), the social unit was a pair. The average homerange size of males was significantly larger than that of females in both 100% and 95% minimum convex polygons. Also, the home ranges of paired and single individuals were significantly smaller than those of individuals in flocks. Regarding habitat selection, natural deciduous forest ranked highest, followed by mixed forest, coniferous plantation, deciduous plantation, and others. The understory coverage was higher in habitats used by paired birds than in habitats used by birds in flocks, but there were no significant differences in tree densities. To sum up, natural deciduous forest provides suitable breeding habitat for Hazel Grouse, provided that understory vegetation is well developed.