La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	The diet of the Citril Finch (Serinus citrinella) in the Pyrenees and the role of Pinus seeds as a key resource
Auteurs :	A. Borras, Auteur ; T. Cabrera, Auteur ; J. Cabrera, Auteur ; J. C. Senar, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Journal of Ornithology (144(3) JUL 2003)
Article en page(s) :	345-353
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	The diet of the Citril Finch (Serinus citrinella ) in its eastern range is well known, especially in spring; however, no data are available from its western populations. The aim of this paper is to provide extensive data on the diet of the species in the Pyrenees. Samples were obtained by visual inspection of the gullet of 3394 birds from 49 different localities over an area of 4000 km(2). Analyses revealed a clear phenological pattern: (1) the Arvensis period, November-January, when the bird relies on farmland seeds, mainly Chenopodium sp. (2) the Arboreal period, February-May, when the birds focus on Pine seeds (Pinus nigra and P. uncinata); (3) the Meadow-Ruderal period, June-October, when the bird feeds on several grasses and herbs, including Taraxacum officinalis (mainly in June) and Cirsium sp. (mainly August-September). Hence the Citril finch normally specialises in a few key species, but during certain periods may opportunistically expand its dietary range. Pine seeds appear crucial, both in determining the breeding distribution of the species and in allowing opportunistic spring breeding.

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