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The wintering of territorial Stonechat pairsSaxicola torquata in Israel

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Abstract

Migratory Stonechats which winter in Israel were observed in territories. Unlike most other migratory species, male and female Stonechats formed pairs in their winter territories. Pair partners, which were observed in Israel jointly reacted to intruding other Stonechats. During all times paired territorial birds and non-paired individuals occurred in the same area. Arrival and departure, body mass of birds, the proportion of unpaired birds, and duration of pair bond are described. The paired birds changed partners regularly and pairs mostly split before leaving the area in spring. Pair formation by Stonechats wintering in Israel can be regarded as a temporary association with profit for the winter.

Zusammenfassung

In Israel wurden Schwarzkehlchen einer ziehenden Population in ihrem Winterquartier beobachtet. Im Gegensatz zu den meisten anderen Zugvögeln bildeten männliche und weibliche Schwarzkehlchen Paare und verteidigten zusammen ein Territorium gegenüber Artgenossen. Neben verpaarten gab es zu allen Zeiten auch unverpaarte Individuen. Ankunft und Abzug der Vögel, Körpermassen, der Anteil an unverpaarten Vögeln und die Dauer der Verpaarung werden beschrieben. Partnerwechsel kamen regelmäßig vor und die meisten Paare lösten sich vor dem Frühjahrsheimzug auf. Die Verpaarung von Schwarzkehlchen in Israel kann als zeitlich begrenzte Partnerschaft gesehen werden, die Vorteile für den Winter bringt.

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Rödl, T. The wintering of territorial Stonechat pairsSaxicola torquata in Israel. J Ornithol 136, 423–433 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651589

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