Highly diversified habitats and resources influence habitat selection in wintering shorebirds

摘要: Habitat selection is an important process in birds that influences individual survival and fitness, ultimately shapes population dynamics. As a consequence, strong selective pressures apply to favor strategies allowing individuals choose high-quality habitat for foraging while reducing predation risk competition. In long-distance migratory birds, such as shorebirds, the non-breeding period considered key of their annual cycle with reported effects on subsequent reproduction. Site by shorebirds should depend quality them ensure until next breeding season. More specifically, distribute space time according resource availability specialize feeding habitats or/and prey reduce intraspecific To test this hypothesis, we studied Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) at one main sites along French coast. We first used GPS tracking investigate roosting home ranges well core sampling define diversity available resources. then compared relation range sizes benthic macrofauna abundances. Our results provide fine scale definition shorebird movements distribution period. found godwits showed extreme fidelity restricted areas (about 3.4 km2) during winter, low overlap between ranges. Each bird appeared mainly use 4–6 11 habitats, specialization 1 2 associated prey. However, our did not emphasize clear relationship sites. This study thus demonstrates high relying specific grounds implications conservation species.