Annual pattern of agonistic interactions of southern lapwing, a typical aggressive bird species from southern Brazil

Assessing spatial attributes of wild bird populations using the Morisita Index and Ripley's K function: Demonstration with Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) data

“…In fact, Southern Lapwings selected grasslands with low vegetation, higher degrees of anthropization, and the presence of livestock in the nonbreeding season (Delfino and Carlos 2020), which can explain why lapwings are concentrated in these areas during this period. These habitats often offer lapwings better visibility to avoid predation and more food resources that can be easily accessed due to the presence of cattle or horses (Costa 2002, Santos 2010, Delfino and Carlos 2022.…”

“…Habitat selectivity tends to accentuate in the breeding season, when lapwings still prefer low vegetation but avoid areas with livestock due to the risk of nest trampling (Mandema et al 2013, Sabatier et al 2015, Delfino and Carlos 2022). Besides that, Southern Lapwings are very territorial and tend to increase intraspecific and interspecific confrontations during the breeding season, mainly if the intruder is near the nest, eggs, or nestlings (Delfino and Carlos 2020).…”

“…The region's climate is subtropical humid (Peel et al 2007), with a mean temperature of 19.3°C and an annual relative humidity of 83% (Wrege et al 2011). The area is located near an important protected area of this region, the Itapeva State Park, and was chosen due to the constant, year-round presence of Southern Lapwings that use the region to forage in the nonbreeding season and nest in the breeding season (Delfino and Carlos 2020, 2022).…”

“…I recorded the occurrence of Southern Lapwings in the study area through individual observations during April and July 2018 corresponding to the nonbreeding and early breeding season, respectively (Delfino and Carlos 2022). I recorded the GPS coordinates of foraging individuals within our study area, respecting the animals without causing any disturbances, and also allowing an observer habituation period (Tomkiewicz et al 2010, Rosa 2019).…”

“…Located in the city of Torres, northern coast of the Rio Grande do Sul state (29 20 0 07 00 S, 49 43 0 37 00 W), the study area has nearly 40 ha of mixed physiognomies, featuring a considerable heterogeneity of environments, including forests, anthropized and clean grasslands, fields with bushes, flooded areas, and roads and houses (Delfino and Carlos 2022). The region's climate is subtropical humid (Peel et al 2007), with a mean temperature of 19.3 C and an annual relative humidity of 83% (Wrege et al 2011).…”