Habitat selection in reintroduced bird populations: a case study of Stewart Island robins and South Island saddlebacks on Ulva island.

摘要: An understanding of the mechanisms influencing habitat selection in reintroduced bird populations is fundamental for successful translocation programmes. Plant species composition, abundance, structure and food availability are likely to influence animal movement choice, but few studies have evaluated their combined effect on translocated birds. Stewart Island robins (Petroica australis rakiura) South saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus) two threatened New Zealand that been Ulva (Stewart Island). We hypothesised initial settlement patterns were driven by quality. tested this hypothesis comparing components between occupied unoccupied habitats as population grew after tanslocation. also modelled probabilities site a function composition vegetation, (invertebrate composition) nesting resources (cavity type). Founding pairs both first established territories coastal western part island, which characterised structurally complex broadleaved vegetation. Birds selected sites with greater abundance diversity resources. Thus early stages establishment appear select high quality offers enhanced cover foraging opportunities.