Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Breeding ecology and nest site selection in allopatric mainland Citril Finches Carduelis [citrinella] citrinella and insular Corsican Finches Carduelis [citrinella] corsicanus

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Ornithology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The breeding ecology and nest site selection of mainland Citril Finches and insular Corsican Finches have been studied throughout their limited range. For many years both endemic forms were considered to be two sub-species; however, based on evidence from more recent molecular studies they have been split into two species. This study provides data on the variations in breeding ecology and nest site selection in the different sub-populations of these little studied species. A secondary aim was to search out evidence of ecological differentiation between mainland Citril Finches and insular Corsican Finches. We found that the studied sub-populations of both species largely overlapped in breeding ecology. Our data confirms the close similarity of Citril Finches and Corsican Finches, both which are, similar to mountain birds, well adapted to the local habitat conditions of their different mountain systems. Several differences were identified within the studied sub-populations of the two (sub-) species with respect to nest site selection, probably caused by environmental conditions and local predators. One of the main differences between the two species is that Citril Finches breed mainly in half-open conifer forests (especially pine forests), while Corsican Finches breed in the more open scrubby mountains of the Mediterranean islands dominated mainly by the Tree Heath as an adaptation to the different landscapes on the islands. In contrast to Citril Finches, this preference of the Corsican Finches for Tree Heath as nesting plants – even if suitable pines are available – is typical of the species. These behavioural changes result in a niche expansion into open habitats at lower altitudes. We suggest that the observed niche expansion and behavioural variations are not suitable criteria for taxonomic status, a proposal in contrast to that of Sangster [Ibis 142:487–490 (2000)]. We further suggest that the few ecological differences found in this study between the two (sub-)species are the result of the so-called insular syndrome, which includes changes in life history traits such as morphology, demography and behaviour.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arcamone E (1993) Venturone. In: Meschini E, Frugis S (eds) Atlante degli uccelli nidificanti in Italia. Instituto per la Fauna Selvatica. Ozzano Emilia, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Armitage J (1937) File notes on the Corsican Citril Finch. Br Birds 31:98–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Baccetti N, Märki H (1997) Citril Finch. In: Hagemeijer WJM, Blair MJ (eds) The EBCC atlas of European breeding birds. T and A.D. Poyser, London, p 711

    Google Scholar 

  • Bairlein F (1996) Ökologie der Vögel. Fischer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer HG, Berthold P (1996) Die Brutvögel Mitteleuropas. Aula, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Best LB, Stauffer DF (1980) Factors affecting nesting success in riparian bird communities. Condor 82:149–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Bezzel E (1993) Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas. Aula, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Bezzel E, Brandl R (1988) Der Zitronengirlitz im Werdenfelsener Land, Oberbayern. Anz Orn Ges Bayern 27:45–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondel J (1985) Habitat selection in island versus mainland birds. In: Cody ML (eds) Habitat selection in birds. Academic, London, pp 477–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondel J (2000) Evolution and ecology of birds on islands: trends and prospects. Vie Milieu 50:205–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondel J, Chessel D, Frochot B (1988) Bird species impoverishment, niche expansion, and density inflation in Mediterranean island habitats. Ecology 69:1899–1917

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondel J, Dervieux A, Maistre AM, Perret P (1991) Feeding ecology and life history variation of the blue tit in Mediterranean deciduous and sclerophyllous habitats. Oecologia 88:9–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondel J, Dias PC, Perret P, Masitre M, Lambrechts MM (1999) Selection-based biodiversity at small scale in a low-dispersing insular bird. Science 285:1399–1402

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borras A, Junyent (1993) Vertebrats de la Catalunya Central. Manresa, Barcelona

  • Borras A, Senar JC (1991) Opportunistic breeding of the citril finch Serinus citrinella. J Ornithol 132:285–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Borras A, Cabrera T, Cabrera J, Senar JC (2003) The food of the Citril Finch in the Pyrenees and the role of Pinus seeds as a key resource. J Ornithol 144:345–353

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno S (1975) Note rassuntive sull’ Erpetofauna dell’ Isola di Montechristo (Archipelago Toscana, Mare Tirreno). Lav Soc Ital Biogeo 5:1–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno C, Dupré G, Giorgetti G, Giorgetti JP, Alesandri J (2001) Chì tempu face? Météorologie, climat et microclimats de la Corse. Centre Régional de Documentation Pédagogique de Corse, Ajaccio

  • Chappuis C (1976) Origine et évolution des vocalisations de certains oiseaux de Corse et des Baléares. Alauda 44:475–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramp S, Perrins CM (1994) The birds of the western Palearctic, vol. 8. Oxford University Press, Oxford

  • Delaugerre M, Cheylan M (1992) Batraciens et reptiles de Corse. Parc Naturel Regional de Corse. Pampelune, Spain

  • Förschler M (2000) Untersuchungen zur Brutphänologie, Nahrungswahl und Habitatwahl des Zitronengirlitzes Serinus citrinella im Nordschwarzwald. Diplomarbeit, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen

  • Förschler M (2001a) Brutzeitliche Nahrungswahl des Zitronengirlitzes Serinus citrinella im Nordschwarzwald. Vogelwelt 122:265–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Förschler M (2001b) Witterungsbedingte Ausweichbewegungen des Zitronengirlitzes Serinus citrinella im Nordschwarzwald. Ornithol Beob 98:209–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Förschler M (2002a) Brutbiologie des Zitronengirlitzes Serinus citrinella im Nordschwarzwald. Ornithol Beob 99:19–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Förschler M (2002b) Predation strategy of the Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius and antipredator response by the Citril Finch Serinus citrinella. Rev Catalana Ornithol 19:41–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Förschler MI, Kalko EKV (2006) Macrogeographic variations in food choice of mainland citril finches Carduelis [citrinella] citrinella versus insular Corsican (citril) finches Carduelis [citrinella] corsicanus. J Ornithol 147:441–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Förschler M, Cabrera J, Cabrera T, Borras A (2001) Loss of a Citril Finch Serinus citrinella nest possibly as a result of ant predation. Butll GCA 18:43–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Förschler MI, Borras A, Cabrera J, Cabrera T, Senar JC (2005) Inter-locality variation in reproductive success of the citril finch Serinus citrinella. J Ornithol 146:137–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey M (1989a) Nahrungsökologie und Raumnutzung einer subalpinen Population des Hänflings Carduelis cannabina. Orn Beob 86:291–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey M (1989b) Brutbiologie des Hänflings Carduelis cannabina unter den Einflüssen des Gebirgsklimas. Orn Beob 86:265–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Glutz von Blotzheim UN (1962) Die Brutvögel der Schweiz. Schweizerische Vogelwarte, Sempach

    Google Scholar 

  • Glutz von Blotzheim UN, Bauer KM (1997) Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas. Band 14. Aula, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Gnielka R (1978) Zur Ökologie und Brutbiologie des Girlitzes Serinus serinus. Orn Mitt 30:81–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez E (1991) Climate tree–growth relationships for Pinus uncinata in the Spanish pre-Pyrenees. Acta Oecol 12:213–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Hölzinger J (1997) Die Vögel Baden-Württembergs. Band 3.2. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouard H (1930) Der Zitronenzeisig als Winterbrüter. Ornithol Monatsber 38:137–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Jourdain FCR (1911) Notes on the ornithology of corse. Ibis 53:189–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaniss M, Pfeiffer R (1994) Notizen zur Brutbiologie des Zitronengirlitzes Serinus citrinella. Orn Anz 33:63–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoury F (1998) Habitatwahl und Nahrungsökologie des Zederngirlitzes Serinus syriacus in Jordanien. PhD thesis, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

  • Khoury F (2001) The breeding ecology of Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus in Jordan. Sandgrouse 23:68–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambertini M (2000) Capraia. Terra Mare. Pacini Editore, Ospedaletto, Pisa

  • Lambertini M (2002) The Tuscan Arcipelago and the National Park. Pacini Editore, Ospedaletto, Pisa

  • Liebezeit JR, George TL (2002) Nest predators, nest-site selection, and nesting success of the Dusky Flycatcher in a managed ponderosa pine forest. Condor 104:507–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Maestri F, Voltolini L, Lo Valvo F (1989) Biologia riproduttiva di una communita di Fringillidi in un Mugeto delle Alpi Retiche (Sondrio). Riv Ital Orn 59:159–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin JL (1982) L’infiltration des oiseaux forestieres dans les milieux buissonnants de Corse. Rev Ecol (Terre Vie) 36:397–419

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin JL (1992) Niche expansion in an insular bird community: an autoecological perspective. J Biogeogr 19:375–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Marzocchi JF (1990) Contribution a l’etude de l’avifaune du Cap Corse. Editions Marzocchi, Bastia

  • Moltoni E (1975) L’avifauna dell’isola di Capraia (Arcipelago toscano). Riv Ital Orn 45:97–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasquet E (1994) Venturon montagnard. In: Yeatman-Bertholet D (ed) Nouvel atlas des oiseaux nicheurs de France 1985–1989. Société Ornithologique de France, Paris

  • Pasquet E, Thibault JC (1997) Genetical differences among mainland and insular forms in the Citril Finch Serinus citrinella. Ibis 139:679–684

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauter CM, Reyer HU, Bollmann K (2002) Selection through predation, snowfall and microclimate on nest-site preferences in the Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta. Ibis 144:433–444

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricklefs RE (1969) An analysis of nesting mortality in birds. Smithson Contrib Zool 9

  • Sangster G (2000) Genetic distance as a test of species boundaries in the Citril Finch Serinus citrinella: a critique and taxonomic reinterpretation. Ibis 142:487–490

    Google Scholar 

  • Sangster G, Knox AG, Helbig AJ, Parkin DT (2002) Taxonomic recommendations for European Birds. Ibis 144:156

    Google Scholar 

  • Sockmann KW (1997) Variation of life-history traits and nest-site selection affects risk of nest predation in the California Gnatcatcher. Auk 114:324–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Thibault JC (1983) Les oiseaux de la Corse. Parc Naturel Regional de la Corse, Ajaccio

    Google Scholar 

  • Thibault JC, Bonaccorsi G (1999) The birds of Corsica. B.O.U. Checklist No. 17. British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring, Herts, UK

  • Voous KH (1960) Atlas of European birds. Nelson, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead J (1885) Ornithological notes from Corsica. Ibis 27:39

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The field work was kindly supported by Antonio Borras, Toni Cabrera, Josep Cabrera and Juan Carlos Senar (Museu Ciències Naturals, Barcelona, Spain), Philippe Perret (Centre d’ Ecology Fonctionelle et Evolutive, Montpellier, France), Nicola Baccetti and Fernando Spina (Istituto nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, Bologna, Italy), Sergio Nissardi (Cagliari, Italy), Ulrich Dorka (Tübingen, Germany) and Jürgen Kläger (Baiersbronn, Germany). Peter Berthold (MPI Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Germany), Ulrich Dorka (Tübingen, Germany) and Thomas Schäfer (MPI Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Germany) provided helpful comments on the manuscript. Alexander Tahori (Tel Aviv, Israel) kindly improved the English. We thank Franz Bairlein and Jacques Blondel for helpful comments on the manuscript. The study was conducted with financial support from the Max Planck Research Centre for Ornithology, Vogelwarte Radolfzell and the Landesgraduiertenförderung Baden-Württemberg, University of Ulm, to M. Förschler.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany

    Marc I. Förschler

  2. Natural History Museum, Pg. Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Marc I. Förschler

  3. Department of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, 89069, Ulm, Germany

    Marc I. Förschler & Elisabeth K. V. Kalko

Authors
  1. Marc I. Förschler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elisabeth K. V. Kalko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marc I. Förschler.

Additional information

Communicated by F. Bairlein

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Förschler, M.I., Kalko, E.K.V. Breeding ecology and nest site selection in allopatric mainland Citril Finches Carduelis [citrinella] citrinella and insular Corsican Finches Carduelis [citrinella] corsicanus . J Ornithol 147, 553–564 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-006-0079-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-006-0079-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation