https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.707

Breeding ecology, helpers presence, habitat use and trophic activity of the Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla: five years of study in Central Adriatic Italy

Vol. 93 No. 2 (2023)
Submitted: 14 July 2023
Accepted: 6 November 2023
Published: 14 December 2023
Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla, Marches, airport, helpers, crèches
Abstract Views: 693
PDF: 284
SUPPORTING INFORMATION: 144
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Marco Pantalone
pantalone.marco@libero.it
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0005-0038
Associazione naturalistica “Argonauta”, Fano (Pesaro-Urbino); SOA - Stazione Ornitologica Abruzzese, Pescara, Italy.
Simone Ottorino Bai
Associazione naturalistica “Argonauta”, Fano (Pesaro-Urbino), Italy.

The Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla is a migrant bird, considered of conservation concern, but poorly studied in Italy about his breeding ecology and habitat use. In this work, we aimed to study both of these components in the airfield of Fano (Central Italy, Marches, Pesaro-Urbino province). The study, relating to the 2018-2022 reproductive seasons, describes the nesting habitat used by the species, providing also data about the plants on which the species feed on. We hypothsized the importance of the choice of fenced areas for the less predation and we highlighted the presences of young helpers in the feeding of the second brood. Furthermore, we observed the formation of crèches for the young fledglings, controlled by some adult males. It’s confirmed here a semi-colonial condition that leading to the formation of extra-family groups before migration. The study area turns out to be the main reproductive colony of the species in the Marches region, with an average density of 1.5 pairs per 10 ha (maximum 2.4), one of the best know in central Italy.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

PlumX Metrics

PlumX Metrics provide insights into the ways people interact with individual pieces of research output (articles, conference proceedings, book chapters, and many more) in the online environment. Collectively known as PlumX Metrics, these metrics are divided into five categories to help make sense of the huge amounts of data involved and to enable analysis by comparing like with like.

Bai S. O. & Pantalone M., 2020 - Birds of Metauro river: a great ornithological diversity in a small Italian urbanizing biotope, requiring greater protection. Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 90 (2): 59-68. <https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2020.482> DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2020.482
Bartolucci F., Peruzzi L., Galasso G., Albano A., Alessandrini A., Ardenghi N. M. G., Astuti G., Bacchetta G., Ballelli S., Banfi E., Barberis G., Bernardo L., Bouvet D., Bovio M., Cecchi L., D i Pietro R., Domina G., Fascetti S., Fenu G., Festi F., Foggi B., Gallo L., Gottschlich G., Gubellini L., Iamonico D., Iberite M., Jiménez-Mejías P., Lattanzi E., Marchetti D., Martinetto E., Masin R. R., Medagli P., Passalacqua N. G., Peccenini S., Pennesi R., Pierini B., Poldini L., Prosser F., Raimondo F. M., Roma-Marzio F., Rosati L., Santangelo A., Scoppola A., Scortegagna S., Selvaggi A., Selvi F., Soldano A., Stinca A., Wagensommer R. P., Wilhalm T. & Conti F., 2018 - An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to Italy. Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 152 (2): 179-303. <https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2017.1419996> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2017.1419996
Bernoni M., Sorace A., Cecere J. G., Biondi M., Cento M., Guerrieri G. & Savo E., 2012 - La comunità degli uccelli nidificanti nella ZPS IT-603005 “Comprensorio Tolfetano-Cerite-Manziate”. Alula, 19 (1-2): 11-27.
Bibby C. J., Burgess N. D. & Hill D. A., 1992 - Bird census techniques. Academic Press, London.
Bosco L., Cushman S. A., Wan H. Y., Zeller K. A., Arlettaz R. & Jacot A., 2020 - Fragmentation effects on woodlark habitat selection depend on habitat amount and spatial scale. Animal conservation, 24 (1): 84-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12604
Brambilla M. & Rubolini D., 2009 - Intra-seasonal changes in distribution and habitat associations of a multi-brooded bird species: implications for conservation planning. Animal Conservation, 12 (1): 71-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2008.00226.x
Brichetti P. & Fracasso G., 2007 - Ornitologia Italiana. Volume 4. Apopidae Prunellidae. Alberto Perdisa Editore, Bologna: 163-170.
Brichetti P. & Fracasso G., 2020 - The Birds of Italy. Volume 2. Pteroclidae-Locustellidae. Edizioni Belvedere, Latina: 276-279.
Brotons L., Herrando S. & Martin J. L., 2005 - Bird assemblages in forest fragments within Mediterranean mosaics created by wild fires. Landscape Ecology, 19: 663-675. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-005-0165-2
Chamberlain D. E., Wilson A. M., Browne S. J. & Vickery J. A., 1999 - Effects of habitat type and management on the abundance of skylarks in the breeding season. Journal of Applied Ecology, 36 (6): 856-870. <https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.1999.00453.x> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.1999.00453.x
Chiatante G., 2022 - Habitat use and niche overlap of ground-nesting stepping birds. Avian Biology Research, 15 (4): 180-193. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17581559221132189
Cockburn A., 1998 - Evolution of helping behavior in co-operatively breeding birds. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 29: 141-177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.29.1.141
Collar N., Robson C. & de Juana E., 2022 - Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla). In: Hanbook of the birds of the world alive. del Hoyo J, Elliot A., Sargatal J. Christie D. A. & de Juana E. (eds.). Linx Edicions, Barcelona. <http://www.hbw.com/node/59657> (accessed 27 August 2022).
Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A. & Blasi C., 2005 - An annotated Checklist of the Italian Vascular Flora. Palombi Editori, Roma.
Corso A., 2005 - Avifauna di Sicilia. L’EPOS, Palermo.
Cramp S., 1988 - Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume V. Tyrant Flycatcher to Thrushes. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
de Juana E., Suarez F. & Kirwan G. M., 2020 - Greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla). Version 1.0. In: Birds of the World. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY. <https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gstlar1.01> DOI: https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gstlar1.01
Devereux C. L., Whittingham M. J., Fernández-Juricic E., Vickery J. A. & Krebs J. R., 2006 - Predator detection and avoidance by starlings under differing scenarios of predation risk. Behavioural Ecology, 17 (2): 303-309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arj032
Frolet J.-M., 2003 - Première preuve de nidification de l’Alouette Calandrelle Calandrella brachydactyla en Saone-et-Loire. Nos Oiseaux, 50 (2): 123-125.
Galasso G., Conti F., Peruzzi L., Ardenghi N. M. G., Banfi E., Celesti-Grapow L., Albano A., Alessandrini A., Bacchetta G., Ballelli S., Bandini Mazzanti M., Barberis G., Bernardo L., Blasi C., Bouvet D., Bovio M., Cecchi L., Del Guacchio E., Domina G., Fascetti S., Gallo L., Gubellini L., Guiggi A., Iamonico D., Iberite M., Jiménez-Mejías P., Lattanzi E., Marchetti D., Martinetto E., Masin R. R., Medagli P., Passalacqua N. G., Peccenini S., Pennesi R., Pierini B., Podda L., Poldini L., Prosser F., Raimondo F. M., Roma-Marzio F., Rosati L., Santangelo A., Scoppola A., Scortegagna S., Selvaggi A., Selvi F., Soldano A., Stinca A., Wagensommer R. P., Wilhalm T. & Bartolucci F., 2018 - An updated checklist of the vascular flora alien to Italy. Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 152 (3): 556-592. <https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2018.1441197 > DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2018.1441197
Giacchini P., 2003 - Check list degli uccelli delle Marche. Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 73 (1): 25-45.
Giacchini P. (ed.), 2007 - Atlante degli uccelli nidificanti nella provincia di Ancona. Provincia di Ancona, Ancona.
Goodale E. & Kotagama S. W., 2006 - Vocal mimicry by a passerine bird attracts other species involved in mixed-species flocks. Animal Behaviour, 72 (2): 471-477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.02.004
Gordo O., 2020 - Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla. In: European Breeding Bird Atlas 2. Distribution, Abundance and Change. Keller V., Herrando S., Voríšek P., Franch M., Kipson M., Milanesi P., Martí D., Anton M., Klvanová A., Kalyakin M. V., Bauer H. G. & Foppen R. P. B. (eds.). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona: 588-589.
Guerrieri G. & Castaldi A., 2010 - Densità riproduttiva, selezione di habitat e preferenze ambientali della Cappellaccia Galerida cristata lungo le coste del Lazio. Uccelli d’Italia, 35: 61-71.
Gustin M., Nardelli R., Brichetti P., Battistoni A., Rondinini C. & Teofili C., (compilatori) 2019 - Lista Rossa IUCN degli uccelli nidificanti in Italia 2019. Comitato Italiano IUCN e Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, Roma.
Harrison C. 1988 - Nidi, uova e nidiacei degli uccelli d’Europa. Guida al riconoscimento. Franco Muzzio Editore, Padova.
Herranz J., Traba J., Morales M. B. & Suárez F., 2004 - Nest size structure variation in two ground nesting passerines, the Skylark Alauda arvensis and the Short-toed Lark Calandrella Brachydactyla. Ardea-Wageningen, 92 (2): 209-218.
Jenni L. & Winkler R., 2020 - Moult and ageing of European passerines. Second edition. Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
Järvinen O. & Väisänen R. A., 1975 - Estimating relative densities of breeding birds by line transect method. Oikos, 26 (3): 316-322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3543502
Karaardiç H. & Özkan L., 2013 - Breeding ecology of the Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) in Southern Turkey (Aves: Passeriformes). Zoology in the Middle East, 59 (1):6-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2013.795055
Karger D. N., Conrad O., Böhner J., Kawohl T., Kreft H., Soria-Auza R. W., Zimmermann N. E., Linder H. P. & Kessler M., 2017 - Climatologies at high resolution for the earth’s land surface areas. Science Data, 4, 170122. <https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2017.122> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2017.122
Iapichino C. & Massa B., 1989 - The birds of Sicily: an annotated check list. British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring (UK).
Londi G., Mini L., Tellini Florenzano G., Sorace A. & Campedelli T., 2009 - Explicit nation-wide habitat models for Italian larks (Alaudidae). Avocetta, 33 (2): 99-106.
Magnhagen C., 1991 - Predation risk as a cost of reproduction. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 6 (6): 183-186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(91)90210-O
Massa B. & La Mantia T., 2010 - The decline of ground-nesting birds in the agrarian landscape of Italy. Revue d’Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), 65 (1): 73-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3406/revec.2010.1509
Miguet P., Gaucherel C. & Bretagnolle V., 2013 - Breeding habitat selection of Skylarks varies with crop heterogeneity, time and spatial scale, and reveals spatial and temporal crop complementation. Ecological Modelling, 266:10-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.06.029
Møller A. P., 1991 - Influence of wing and tail morphology on the duration of song flight in skylarks. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 28 (5): 309-314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00164379
Morrison M. L. & Mathewson H. A (eds.), 2015 - Wildlife habitat conservation: concepts, challenges and solutions. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (US).
Nardelli R., Andreotti A., Bianchi E., Brambilla M., Brecciaroli B., Celada C., Dupré E., Gustin M., Longoni V., Pirrello S., Spina F., Volponi S. & Serra L., 2015 - Rapporto sull’applicazione della Direttiva 147/2009/ CE in Italia: dimensione, distribuzione e trend delle popolazioni di uccelli (2008-2012). ISPRA, Serie Rapporti, 219/2015.
Newton I., 1989 - Introduction. In: Lifetime Reproduction in Birds. Newton I. (ed.). Academic Press, San Diego: 1-11.
Onrubia A. & Andrés T., 2005 - Impacts of human activities on steppic-land birds: a review in the context of the Western Paleartic. In: Ecology and conservation of steppe-land birds. Bota G., Morales M. B., Mañosa S. & Camprodon J. (eds.). Lynx Edicions and Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Barcellon: 185-209.
Ottens H. J., Kuiper M. W., Flinks H., van Ruijven J., Siepel H., Koks B. J., Berendse F. & de Snoo G. R., 2014 - Do field margins enrich the diet of the Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis on intensive farmland? Ardea, 102 (2): 161-171. <http://dx.doi.org/10.5253/arde.v102i2.a6> DOI: https://doi.org/10.5253/arde.v102i2.a6
Pandolfi M. & Giacchini P., 1995 - Avifauna della Provincia di Pesaro e Urbino. Amministrazione provinciale di Pesaro e Urbino, Assessorato ambiente, Pesaro.
Pantalone M., Bai S. O. & Saltarelli M., 2022 - Gli uccelli della provincia di Pesaro-Urbino: fenologia e check list. Uccelli d’Italia, 47 (1-2): 184-205.
Pesente M. 1991 - Nidificazione di Calandrella Calandrella brachydactyla in coltivi della media pianura Veronese. Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 61 (2): 37-42.
Pignatti S., 1982 - Flora d’Italia. Edagricole, Bologna.
Poggiani L. & Dionisi V., 1988 - Uccelli del bacino del Metauro. Centro studi Argonauta, Fano.
Poggiani L. & Dionisi V. 2015 - Mammalia. I Mammiferi del bacino del Metauro. Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano, Fano.
Poggiani L. & Dionisi V., 2019 - Gli uccelli del bacino del Metauro 1979-2019. Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano, Fano.
Poggiani L. & Dionisi V., 2020 - Gli anfibi e i rettili della provincia di Pesaro e Urbino: 1980-2020. Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Fano, Fano.
Rete Rurale Nazionale & LIPU, 2015 - Italia. Farmland Bird Index, Woodland Bird Index e andamenti di popolazione delle specie 2000-2014. LIPU, Parma.
Sánchez A. M., Herranz J., Martínez J. G. & Suarez F., 2004 - Extra-pair paternity in Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks Calandrella brachydactyla and C. rufescens. Bird Study, 51 (3):278-279. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00063650409461364
Sanz J. J., Potti J., Moreno J., Merino S. & Frias O., 2003 – Climate change and fitness components of a migratory bird breeding in the Mediterranean region. Global Change Biology, 9 (3): 461-472. <https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2003.00575.x> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2003.00575.x
Sarrocco S., Capizzi D., Pizzol I. & Scalisi M., 2015 - Il monitoraggio delle specie della Direttiva Uccelli nel Lazio. In: Atti del XVII Convegno Italiano di Ornitologia, Trento, 11-15 settembre 2013. Pedrini P., Rossi F., Bogliani G., Serra L. & Susteric A. (eds). Ed. Muse, Trento: 147-149.
Shirihai H. & Svensson L., 2018 - Handbook of Western Paleartic Birds. Volume 1. Passerines: Larks to Warbles. Bloomsbury Publishing, London: 62-64.
Sinclair A. R. E., Fryxell J. M. & Caughley G. 2006 - Wildlife ecology, conservation and management. 2nd edition. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
Skutch A. F., 1935 - Helpers at the nest. AUK, 52 (3):257-273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4077738
Skutch A. F., 1961 - Helpers among birds. The Condor, 63 (3):198-226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1365683
Skutch A. F., 1976 - Parent birds and their young. University of Texas Press, Austin.
Skutch A. F., 1999 - Helpers at bird nests. A worldwide survey of cooperative breeding and related behaviour. An expanded edition. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.
Spina F. & Volponi S., 2008 - Atlante della migrazione degli Uccelli in Italia. 2. Passeriformi. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Roma: 42-44.
Steyn P., 1988 - Cooperative breeding in the Spikeheeled Lark. Ostrich, 59 (4): 182.
Suárez F., Yanes M., Herranz J. & Manrique J., 1993 - Nature reserves and the conservation of Iberian shrubsteppe passerines: the paradox of nest predation. Biological Conservation, 64 (1): 77-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(93)90385-E
Suárez F., Garza V. & Morales M. B., 2002 - Habitat use of two subling species, the Short-toed Calandrella brachydactyla and the Lesser Short-toed C. Rufescens Larks, in mainland Spain. Ardeola, 49 (2): 259-272.
Suárez F., Herranz J., Yanes M., Sanchez A. M., Garcia J. T. & Manrique J., 2005 - Seasonal and interannual variability in laying date, clutch size, egg volume and hatching asynchrony of four lark species in Mediterranean Spain. Ardeola, 52 (1): 103-117.
Tellini G., 1987 - Nidificazione di Calandrella Calandrella Brachydactyla a 1300 m nell’Appennino Centrale. Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 57 (2): 270-271.
Valentini C., 1952 - Contributo alle osservazioni sulla migrazione primaverile della Calandrella (Calandrella brachydactyla Leisler). Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 22 (2): 129-132.
Whittingham M. J. & Evans K. L., 2004 - The effects of habitat structure on predation risk of birds in agricultural landscapes. Ibis, 146 (suppl. 2): 210-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2004.00370.x
Wilson J. D., Evans J., Browne S. J. & King J. R., 1997 - Territory distribution and breeding success of skylarks Alauda arvensis on organicand intensive farmland in southern England. Journal of Applied Ecology, 34 (6): 1462-1478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2405262
Wolff A., 2005 - Influence of landscape and habitat hereogeneity on the distribution of steppe-land birds in the Crau, southern France. In: Ecology and conservation of steppe-land birds. Bota G., Morales M. B., Mañosa S. & Camprodon J. (eds.). Lynx Edicions and Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Barcelona: 141-168.
Yanes M. & Oñate J. J., 1996 - Does nest predation affect nest-site selection in larks? Revue d’Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), 51 (3): 259-267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3406/revec.1996.2207
Yanes M. & Suárez F., 1996a - Incidental nest predation and lark conservation in an Iberian semiarid shrubsteppe. Conservation Biology, 10 (3): 881-887. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1996.10030881.x
Yanes M. & Suárez F., 1996b - Mortalidad en nido y viabilidad poblacional de aláudidos. Ardeola, 43 (1): 57-68.
Yanes M., Herraz J. & Suárez F., 1995 - Nest microhabitat selection in larks from an European semi-arid shrubsteppe: the role of the sunlight and predation. Journal of Arid Environments, 32 (4): 469-478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jare.1996.0040
Zurdo J., Barrero A., da Silva L. P., Bustillo-de la Rosa D., Gómez-Catasús J., Morales M. B., Traba J. & Mata V. A., 2023 - Dietary niche overlap and resource partitioning among six steppe passerines of Central Spain using DNA metabarcoding. Ibis, 165 (3): 905-923. <https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13188> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13188

How to Cite

Pantalone, M., & Bai, S. O. (2023). Breeding ecology, helpers presence, habitat use and trophic activity of the Greater Short-toed Lark <i>Calandrella brachydactyla</i>: five years of study in Central Adriatic Italy. Rivista Italiana Di Ornitologia, 93(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.707
Copyright (c) 2023 Marco Pantalone, Simone Ottorino Bai Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.


Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.