Distribution and abundance of Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala during breeding seasons in forest islands

Abstract

Distribution and abundance of the Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala were investigated in two forest islands, woods A and B, in the Obihiro University farm in Obihiro, Hokkaido, during breeding seasons, 1979-1984. Population densities of males were 3.9 to 6.1 birds per ha in wood A, and 5.0 to 6.3 birds per ha in wood B. A portion of males returned the same wood after 2 to 6 years, and occupied approximately the same site within the woods. Sixty-three birds were ringed during the study. The percentage of birds confirmed to be alive 1 year after ringing was 35%, and corresponding values were 25% for 2 years, 15% for 3 years, 9% for 4 years, and 11% for 5 years.