Determinants of Whitethroat Sylvia communis distribution in different agricultural landscapes.

Abstract

The distribution of Whitethroats Sylvia communis along field boundaries was studied in relation to the physical and biological characteristics of these boundaries in two different agricultural landscapes in England (one dominated by arable farming and the other by mixed farming, i.e. grass and arable crops). The binary logistic models produced for each region were very similar, containing the same habitat variables (hedge height and field margin width). Both models proved highly accurate at predicting the presence and absence of Whitethroats in the other study region, indicating that the same factors may determine Whitethroat distribution in different habitats and geographical regions.