Titre du document / Document title

Ecological and behavioural divergence by foraging Red-billed Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax and Alpine Choughs P. graculus in the Himalayas

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

LAIOLO Paola ;

Résumé / Abstract

I assess the extent of ecological and behavioural segregation of syntopic Red-billed and Alpine Chough in eastern Himalayas in November, through a comparative analysis of habitat use, flocking and foraging behaviour. Alpine Chough mainly occurs in juniper forests whereas Red-billed chough largely relies on terraced pastures in villages. This pattern of habitat use is mainly dictated by differences in foraging behaviour and diet: in this season, Alpine Chough is frugivorous and chiefly depends on juniper berries, whereas Red-billed Chough prefers to dig soil in terraced pastures. I found a close association between Red-billed Chough and villages, where pastures are managed through extensive and traditional farming practices. Red-billed and Alpine Chough flocks significantly differ in size, and the latter tends to form larger groups, possibly in relation to the clumped nature of its favourite food, i.e. berries.

Revue / Journal Title

Ardea    ISSN  0373-2266 

Source / Source

2003, vol. 91, n^o2, pp. 273-277 [5 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Nederlandse ornithologische unie, Ewijk, PAYS-BAS  (1912) (Revue)

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 2809, 35400011662401.0140