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Timing of breeding, habitat preference and reproductive success of marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus)

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Abstract

During 2002–2005 we analyzed Lack’s Hypothesis about the timing of the breeding of marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus) in the Poodří to the breeding period and preference of heterogeneous habitat. An analysis of 43 nests revealed quantitative differences. Birds which started breeding earlier, reached significantly higher reproductive success than later breeding birds regardless of nesting habitat (P = 0.003, n nests = 43). Even when the birds invested into their offspring the same way, their breeding success was not always the same. When the females nested in the common reed (Phragmites communis), they reached higher reproductive output than females nesting in cattail (Typha sp.) (P = 0.01, n cattail = 18, n common reed = 25). The habitat of the common reed is characterized by higher and denser vegetation cover than cattail vegetation (P < 0.001, n measurements = 174 for both variables).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Administration of Protected Landscape Area Poodří, 2. května 1, CZ-742 13, Studénka, Czech Republic

    Iva Němečková

  2. Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100, Brno, Czech Republic

    Vojtěch Mrlík

  3. Department of Biology, University of Ostrava, Chittusiho 10, CZ-710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic

    Pavel Drozd

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  1. Iva Němečková
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  2. Vojtěch Mrlík
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  3. Pavel Drozd
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Correspondence to Iva Němečková.

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Němečková, I., Mrlík, V. & Drozd, P. Timing of breeding, habitat preference and reproductive success of marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus). Biologia 63, 261–265 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-008-0030-2

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