HABITAT USE OF THE LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH DURING THE NON-BREEDING SEASON IN PUERTO RICO

摘要

We used radiotelemetry to quantify habitat and spatial use patterns of neighboring Louisiana Waterfhrush (Parkesia motacilla) along two streams in the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico during 2005-2007. Home range sizes varied with younger birds having larger home ranges and core areas than older birds. All birds occupied some length of stream but a wide range of off-stream habitats were also used. Off-stream habitats included a range of disturbance from residential areas to small saturated pastures. Neighbors exhibited a wide range of overlap in home ranges (x = 20%) and older birds had more overlap than younger birds. The greatest percent of foraging time was along streams (64.4%) followed by muddy substrate (26.5%), housing developments (7.4%), and roads (1.7%). The greater proportion of time foraging along streams indicates this is the preferred habitat for this species. Use of off-stream habitat indicates a strategy of exploiting food-rich ground substrates, and in particular those with high moisture.