Structure of population range in Passer montanus
1973 Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 73-86
Details
1973 Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 73-86
1. Through the year 1968, size, structure and seasonal change of home range of Passer montanus were studied at Bundo village in Iiyama City, Nagano.
2. Bundo is an isolated small village of only 12 houses situated 800m above the sea level, with maximum snowfall of over 2m.
3. The annual life cycle could be divided into: 1) snow season 2) breeding season and 3) flocking season.
4. The home range in snow season measured 11, 500m2, with activity concentration to resting and feeding places, which were in the center of village. The main food in early snow season was the seed of percimon.
5. The home range in breeding season was the smallest measuring 9, 600m2, but gradually increased as the advance of breeding stage. The center of activity is directed to the nest and the vicinity.
6. Entering the flocking season, the home range increased to 37, 200m2, expanding over rice fields The 96.6% of food consisted of the rice. The flock concentrates to a particular rice field.
7. The lack of food during snow season urges them to spend 27.8% of the day in foraging and rest under the eaves and roofs.
8. As the rice ripes, they get in the flocking season and spend only 11.9% of the day for eating, They rest 88.1% of the day gathering around Aralia cordata bush and reeds near the rice fields.
9. The feeding places during snow and breeding seasons are almost all in the village (89.9% and 85.6% respectively), while in flocking season they feed 98.3% in the rice field.
10. The home range consists of central and outer ranges. The central range is used through the year, with 3-8 times thicker concentration rate of activity loci than in the outer range. It is in the village and contains nest sites.
11. In severe snow season, 65.8% of the home range is used, decreasing to 50.0% in breeding season. In flocking season, although the range increses, only 36.6% of the area is actually used, with 93.4% of the area left unused.
12. Adult birds once settled lives within the selected home range throughout the year, strongly dependent on human houses.
