Morelli • HABITAT SELECTION BY RED-BACKED SHRIKES 
53 
FIG. 1. Nest site localization in two different Red-backed Shrike breeding habitat types. 
pairs per 10 ha was 0.27 for farmland and 0.30 for 
high altitude meadows, respectively. The number of 
fledged young per pair was similar in the two 
habitats: 3.38 ± 1.05 (n = 31) for farmland and 3.75 
- A-86 (// = 12) for meadows. These differences 
were not significant (U = 148. P = 0.282). 
Plant Species Used as Nest Sites.—AW nest 
sites were in shrubs. Plant species used differed in 
the two breeding habitats (x J - 71.3, P < 0.05) 
'■'•ith blackthorn ( Prumis spinosa) being most 
t48.5%) used in farmland followed by dog rose 
canirue, 25.8%), elm-leaf blackberry (Paints 
*lnifolius\ 12.1%). and common hawthorn 
t Crataegus monogyna ; 8.3%) (Table 1). Plant 
■species used most frequently in high altitude 
meadows were juniper (Juniperus communis ; 
50%), blackthorn (22.2%), elm-leaf blackberry 
(11.1%). European beech (Fagus sylvaticcr, 
I 1.1%), and dog rose (5.6%) (Table 1). 
Land-use Cover in Farmland and High Altitude 
Meadow Breeding Sites .—The percent cover of 
the types of land-use around nest sites differed 
between the two breeding habitats studied. Up to 
six habitat types (mean = 3.7) were recorded for 
farmland with cultivated land, shrubs, and grass¬ 
land dominating (Table I). Five habitat types 
(mean = 2.9) were recorded in meadows, where 
grassland and forest prevailed (Table 1). 
Characteristics and Structural Differences Be¬ 
tween Breeding Habitats .—Open space and edge 
TABLE 1. Plant species used for nest sites by Red-backed Shrikes in farmlands and high altitude meadows in 
central Italy. _ 
Farmland High altitude meadows 
Species 
Name 
n 
% 
Abundance 
n 
% 
Abundance 
Clematis vitalha 
Clematis 
3 
2.3 
Low 
Cnaagus monagxna 
Common hawthorn 
11 
8.3 
Medium 
Pvgus sylvatica 
Beech 
2 
11.1 
Low 
hmipena communis 
Juniper 
9 
50.0 
Very high 
111 Hums spina-christi 
Christ’s thorn 
1 
0.8 
Very low 
Paimis spinosa 
Blackthorn 
64 
48.5 
Very high 
4 
22.2 
Medium 
fobinia pseudoacacia 
Black locust 
1 
0.8 
High 
R° s a canina 
Doe rose 
34 
25.8 
High 
I 
5.6 
Medium 
Rubus ulmifolius 
Elm-leaf hackberry 
16 
12.1 
High 
2 
11.1 
Medium 
Sambucus nigra 
Elderberry 
2 
1.5 
Medium 
