Non-breeding home range and habitat use by European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) in northwest Liberia: apparent resilience to forest degradation?

Abstract

Identifying population drivers of migratory birds requires knowledge of species' ecology throughout their annual cycle. For most Afro-Palaearctic migratory species, little is known about non-breeding habitat use, despite extensive land use change in non-breeding areas of sub-Saharan Africa being a key factor implicated in population decline. We radio-tracked 54 Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca at two sites of differing levels of forest disturbance, in Liberia, western Africa, over three non-breeding seasons to determine home range size and site fidelity, and describe habitat and tree species preference within home ranges. We found high territory fidelity both within and between years, and a preference for well-wooded landscapes. We found that Pied Flycatcher presence was positively associated with large and mature trees, and areas with a higher density of trees. Pied Flycatchers preferred several tree species that were uncommon within home ranges, and several non-native tree species likely to support a high invertebrate abundance. Pied Flycatchers preferentially selected areas burnt in the same or previous winter, possibly related to enhanced food resources associated with vegetation regrowth following burning. We also found no significant difference in home range size between sites and similar habitat associations despite differences in habitat disturbance. This suggests that human-modified habitats may remain suitable for Pied Flycatchers, as long as they retain moderate tree cover, especially larger, taller and more mature trees, whether native or non-native.