Use of Space by Lapland Longspurs Breeding in Arctic Alaska

• Published in: The Auk
• Main Authors: Tryon, P. R., MacLean, S. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 1980
• Subjects: Arctic; Barrow; Tundra; Alaska; Lapland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/auk/97.3.509; http://academic.oup.com/auk/article-pdf/97/3/509/32910561/auk0509.pdf

Abstract Use of space for foraging was compared with the defended area for three pairs of Lapland Longspurs breeding on arctic tundra near Barrow, Alaska. The activity space for foraging over the entire season was larger than the defended area and was considerably larger for males than for females. Throughout the season, greatest use was made of the area about the nest. This was more pronounced during the nestling and fledgling periods, when adults make frequent visits to feed the young. Greatest use was made of the defended area in the prenesting period, with a decline in use later in the season as territorial defense waned. Overlap occurred in the use of space by adjacent pairs. During the prenesting and incubation periods, this overlap compensated for the decline in use with distance from the nest, so that the combined use of space by adjacent birds was relatively even. Use of space is influenced by the time and energy requirements of breeding activities and by the availability of prey.