Activity patterns and foraging behavior of the scissor-tailed flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) /
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[College Station, Tex.] :
Foreman,
1978.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy. Link to ProQuest copy. |
| Abstract: | Data on activity patterns and foraging behavior of the Scissortailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) were collected in typical urban and rural habitats in Brazos County, Texas during the breeding seasons of 1976 and 1977. Of 2,799 foraging attempts observed, most (85.3%) were flycatching flights. Other foraging tactics occasionally employed were ground hopping (9.8%), incidental in-flight flycatching (2.2%), aerial foraging (2.0%), and tree hopping (0.7%). Of 2,388 flycatching flights, the average perch-to-prey distance was 6.6 m. Flycatching flights were divided into short ( 6 m) flights. Kales had a greater proportion of long flights (50.2%) than females (44.5%). The proportion of long flights was correlated positively with perch height and varied among perch types. The proportion was correlated negatively with temperature, barometric pressure, percent cloud cover, and percent opaque sky cover. It also varied with time of day, wind velocity, and barometric pressure trend. A total of 44.3% of the flycatching flights were directed at prey above the perch. Males directed a greater proportion upward (51.1%) than did females (40.6%). In urban and rural areas, 49.2 and 39.3%, respectively, were directed upward. The proportion of upward flights was correlated positively with perch height and perch-to-prey distance and was correlated negatively with wind velocity, percent cloud cover, percent opaque sky cover, barometric pressure, and dewpoint temperature. The proportion of upward flights varied with temperature and barometric pressure trend and among perch types. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Vita. "Major subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences." |
| Physical Description: | xiv, 105 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-103). |