The Feeding Behaviour of Hybrid Sparrows and Their Nestlings (Aves, Passeridae) in Agricultural Area in Northern Algeria
Abstract
Our study explores the origins and impacts of consistent individual behavior in predatory passerines, focusing on how personality traits influence population dynamics. We analyzed the feeding behaviors of hybrid sparrows in an agricultural environment using conventional dietary analysis methods. Stomach contents from 71 adult sparrows across different months and 49 chicks of various age groups were examined. Our findings reveal that adult hybrid sparrows predominantly consume seeds and plant fragments (83.53%), preferring them over animal prey (16.47%). Conversely, chicks exhibit a strong preference for animal prey, which comprises 77.86% of their diet, compared to 22.14% from plants. Among adults, the plant diversity (H’) index is highest in June (2.20 bits) and January (1.86 bits). For juveniles, the animal diversity index peaks in the youngest age groups, reaching 2.61 bits. The replenishment index (Ir) fluctuates throughout the annual cycle in adults, while in chicks, it reaches its highest values in the first few days of life before gradually declining. This study highlights dietary differences between adult and juvenile hybrid sparrows, which are closely linked to habitat diversity, food availability, digestive flexibility, individual plasticity, and species phenology. Our observations in northern Algeria align with previous research, illustrating the species' ecological adaptability.
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