Time-activity budgets of juvenile Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator during the post-fledging period

Abstract

This study, conducted in the region of Sofia (western Bulgaria), investigated activity patterns of juvenile Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator after fledging. Time spent to flying, social interactions, ground hunting and solitarily behaviour increased with age, while the time spent food begging, obtaining food from adults, and staying close (<1 m) to adult birds decreased with age. Occupation of concealed perch-sites decreased with age whereas use of exposed lookout posts increased. Young Woodchat Shrikes became increasingly independent at an age of about 30 days. After 45 days they were not fed by parents at all.