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Publication

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Bertermann, Claudia ; Weber-Spangenberg, Corinna ; Pechura, Anja ; Renard, Anna-Isabell ; Bergmann, Hans-Heiner

Paperwork

1998

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UBS-NW: Zs 70

Egretta <Wien>, 41: p 15-26 In August 1996 a group of Ptarmigan including adults and their offspring was observed in the area of Grossglockner (Austria) between elevations of 2240-2280 m a.s.l. Their nutrition was studied by means of direct observations in the field during good weather conditions. The birds exploited a broad food spectrum consisting mainly of herbs. There was no preference of any species but several fractions of similar importance. Important species were Achillea atrata, Salix sp., Oxyria digyna and Ranunculus sp., as well as a variety of Saxifragaceae species. Of most plants, various parts were consumed, but abundances of these parts were variable. Mostly the leaves of the plants were consumed. The comparatively high diversity of food items corresponded to the variety of food supply. No correlation between the percentage of ground cover of certain species and their exploitation could be established. On the one hand Ptarmigan proved to be selective feeders living on plants less available and/or difficult to feed upon. On the other hand, they proved to be generalistic feeders intensively consuming plants abundant and easy to exploit during long pecking series.