The effectiveness of endozoochory in three avian seed predators

摘要: The role of granivorous birds as agents seed dispersal has been little explored and is poorly understood. We assessed the ability three species from a Central European agricultural landscape to disperse seeds dry-fruited plants. hypothesised that Grey Partridge Perdix perdix better disperser than either two buntings—Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Reed Bunting schoeniclus—in terms number intact recovered their droppings. droppings contained highest seeds. Surprisingly, however, per 1 g was in Bunting, smaller smallest Yellowhammer. Our findings suggest passage plants through digestive tract seed-eating most likely an effect limited digestion, resulting intake large volume seeds, small part which remains undigested. This could be magnified by inclusion diet some items different digestibility (invertebrates or leaves). non-standard with no adaptations endozoochory far more frequent yet under-appreciated phenomenon, potential ecological implications for colonisation new habitats/islands ultimate elucidation this process extremely difficult would require sets faeces examined.