• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.401-403
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• 1998

Body size of the Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans) was investigated during the breeding seasons of 1994 to 1996, in south-eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Both male and female arrived slightly earlier in isolated forests than in shelter belts during the study. Wing lengths of males and females were significantly longer in isolated forests than those in shelter belts, but the other body size characteristics were not differ significantly. The results indicate habitat selection of the birds depended on their body constructions, in which wing length as an indicator, body size may be an important factor. Large-sized birds select the better quality habitat than birds of small size.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.405-411
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• 1997

Feeding behavior of the Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans was studied in two different types of habitats, shelter belts and isolated forests, in south-eastern Hokkaido, Japan, during the breeding seasons of 1995 and 1996. Predominant foods were determined as Caterpillar, Coleoptera, Diptera, Ephemeropera, Odonate and some other insects. The composition of the nestiling foods were not the same by season, region, and year. Larger foods in size were used by birds in isolated forests more frequently than in shelter belts. Amount of food per feeding was significantly larger in isolated forests than in shelter belts. Although food supply were more abundant in isolated forests than in shelter belts, the feeding frequency did not significantly differ between these two habitats. The nest density was higher in isolated forests than in shelter belts. Results of this study indicate that when the feeding condition is poor, birds tend not show specific food selection behavior, the feeding range is therefore larger, and the feeding interval is longer. Contrarily, the birds show a specific food selection behavior when they are in good feeding condition, the feeding range is therefor smaller and the feeding interval decreases.