Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Durell S.E.A. le V. dit, Ormerod S.J. & Dare P.J. (1996) Differences in population structure between two Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus roosts on the Burry Inlet, South Wales. ARDEA 84 (A): 383-388
Comparison is made between Oystercatchers caught by cannon netting at two roost sites on the Burry Inlet in the winter months of 1990 and 1991. Proportionally more adult birds were caught at a large roost at Whiteford Point, and more juveniles at a smaller roost at Llanelli North Dock. Adults caught at Whiteford Point were also less likely to be suffering from deformities and more likely to be ##. These findings are contrasted with previous work on the Wadden Sea, where Oystercatchers caught at large roosts containing more adult birds and fewer deformed birds were more likely to be ~~. Mechanisms for assortive roosting are discussed. It is suggested that the population structures of the different oystercatcher roosts on the Burry reflect the feeding preferences of the birds present, but that feeding preferences may also be influenced by a bird's social status, or dominance.


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