Study

The effect of supplementary feeding on territory size, territory density and breeding success of the turtle dove Streptopelia turtur: a field experiment

  • Published source details Browne S.J. & Aebischer N.J. (2002) The effect of supplementary feeding on territory size, territory density and breeding success of the turtle dove Streptopelia turtur: a field experiment. Aspects of Applied Biology, 67, 21-26.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide supplementary food for pigeons to increase reproductive success

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Provide supplementary food for birds or mammals

Action Link
Farmland Conservation
  1. Provide supplementary food for pigeons to increase reproductive success

    A replicated cross-over study in 1999-2000 in ten mixed agricultural and natural habitat sites in Norfolk and Suffolk, England (Browne & Aebischer 2002), found that European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur reproductive success, territory size or territory density did not differ between years when supplementary food was provided and control (unfed) years (24 nests studied, daily survival rates of 79-97% for fed nests vs. 85-98 for unfed). However, doves were frequently observed eating the food. The authors argue that the experimental sites were too small (mostly 200-400 ha) to affect the wide-ranging doves.

     

  2. Provide supplementary food for birds or mammals

    A replicated cross-over study in 1999-2000 in ten mixed agricultural and natural habitat sites in Norfolk and Suffolk, England (Browne & Aebischer 2002), found that European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur reproductive success, territory size or territory density did not differ between years when supplementary food was provided and control (unfed) years (24 nests studied, daily survival rates of 79-97% for fed nests vs 85-98% for unfed). However, doves were frequently observed eating the food. The authors argue that the experimental sites were too small (mostly 200-400 ha) to affect the wide-ranging doves.

     

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