Arthropods in diet of Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax during the breeding season in western France

Capsule Seasonal, age- and sex-related variations in the diet were studied during March to October.

Aims To determine which arthropod orders contributed most during the laying–rearing period and those important in determining breeding success of the species in an intensive agricultural habitat.

Methods Faeces (n = 388, 345 g) and three gut samples were dissected to determine which arthropod orders contributed most to the diet, especially during the laying–rearing period.

Results Coleoptera were the most numerous prey followed by Orthoptera, Dermaptera and Hymenoptera. No difference was observed in the diet of adult males and females. Although adults ate arthropods throughout the breeding season, plant material contributed 97–99% of faecal contents by weight in each month. Chicks, however, only ate arthropods, notably Coleoptera and Orthoptera, at least until 2–3 weeks old.

Conclusion Increasing arthropod availability would be a useful management tool for maintaining endangered Little Bustard populations by potentially increasing chick survival.