Feeding habitat of red-crowned crane and white-napped crane during their courtship period in Zhalong wetland
Zou, H.; Wu, Q.
Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 17(3): 444-449
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1001-9332 PMID: 16724740 Document Number: 601185
By the methods of fixed-spot observation, GPS positioning, plot sampling measurement and factor analysis, a comparative study was made on the feeding habitat of red-crowned and white-napped crane during their courtship period (from March to April) in Zhalong Nature Reserve in 2003 and 2004. The results showed that red-crowned crane preferred unique habitat for feed, mostly focused on water field (e. g., reed marsh). During its selection of microhabitat, food factor played a crucial role, followed by concealment factor, water factor, and identification factor. The feeding habitat of white-napped crane was of diversification, and dry field, e. g., Carex marsh, farmland and burned field, was the priority. White-napped crane had a strict requirement in selecting feeding microhabitat, with "valid food" factor as the most important ingredient, and disturbance and water factors as the subordinate one.