Gulls and Plovers

Abstract

So far, we have looked at the ecology and evolution of single- and mixed-species feeding flocks and the relationship between individual costs and benefits and flock dynamics. We now turn to a detailed analysis of one particular feeding association to see how the points we have raised can be integrated within a single study. While the remainder of the book deals almost exclusively with three bird species, its approach and methods of analysis are applicable to feeding associations in general. The association we shall be discussing is a familiar one in temperate European regions between three charadriiform species: lapwing, golden plover and black-headed gull (see below). These commonly associate on agricultural pastureland during the non-breeding season to feed on soil and surface invertebrates. Lapwings form single-species flocks, but are joined regularly by golden plovers and gull species. In this chapter, we introduce the three species, discuss the importance of pastureland in their ecology and survival and describe the area in which our study took place.