Foraging behavior of two tyrant flycatchers in Trinidad: The Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) and Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
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Abstract: We compared the foraging behavior of two large, sympatric flycatchers, the Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) and Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), in Trinidad. For each observation of foraging, we recorded or estimated the type of substrate, height class above ground at which foraging occurred, size class of food item captured, and type of prey. The kiskadee foraged more often on the ground and less often in the air than the kingbird, which rarely foraged on the ground. The kiskadee foraged at significantly lower levels than the kingbird. Both species foraged mostly on animal prey with roughly equal frequency. Although a variety of prey sizes were taken, both species foraged primarily on prey < 1 cm long, with no significant difference between the species.
Keywords: foraging behavior, Pitangus sulphuratus, Trinidad, Tyrannidae, Tyrannus melancholicus
Resumen: Comportamiento de forrajeo de dos tiránidos atrapamoscas: el Cristofué (Pitangus sulphuratus) y el Pitirre Chicharrero (Tyrannus melanocholicus)- Comparamos el comportamiento de forajeo de dos especies grandes de atrapamoscas, el Cristofué (Pitangus sulphuratus) y el Pitirre Chicharrero (Tyrannus melanocholicus), en Trinidad. Para cada observación de forrajeo, registramos o estimamos el tipo de sustrato, clase de altura por encima del suelo en la cual se alimentó, la clase de tamaño de alimento capturado, y el tipo de alimento. El Crisofué se alimentó más frecuentemente en el suelo y menos frecuentemente en el aire que el Pitirre Chicharrero, el cual raramente se alimentó en el suelo. El Cristofué se alimentó a alturas significativamente más menores que el Pitirre Chicharrero. Ambas especies se alimentaron principalmente de presas animales con frecuencia casi igual. Aunque incluyeron alimentos de tamaño variable, ambas especies consumieron principalmente insectos de < 1 cm de longitud, sin una diferencia significativa entre las especies.
Palabras claves: conducta de forrajeo, Pitangus sulphuratus, Trinidad, Tyrannidae, Tyrannus melancholicus
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