Interference Competition between Rails and Crakes (Rallidae) during Foraging in the Post-Breeding Season

Authors : Michal CIACH

Pages : 161-163

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In an old riverbed of the Tigris River near the city of Diyarbakir insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SE Turkey);, observations of foraging Rallidae were made in October 2004. Reciprocal reactions insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(aggression, mutual foraging); were noted between birds. A total of 20 cases of aggression were observed. The most frequent aggressor was the Water Rail. In an interaction between 2 Spotted Crakes, size difference between the birds was obvious. Three cases of collective foraging were seen: 2 Spotted Crakes, Spotted and Baillon´s Crakes, as well as Little and Baillon´s Crakes. Instances of Crakes and also Moorhens foraging at distances of 3-4 m from each other were common. The above observations show strong aggressive behavior in Water Rails and hint that territorialism in this species during the autumn migration or post-breeding dispersion exists. It is possible that birds of the genus Porzana are also territorial during the autumn migration, although the degree of reciprocal intolerance is moderate.
Keywords : Rallidae, Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus, Crake, Porzana, interaction, aggressive behavior