Stopover ecology of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa limosa in Portuguese rice fields:: a guide on where to feed in winter

Capsule Conservation management of rice fields may be necessary to guarantee the availability of high quality stopover habitats. Aims To analyse habitat selection and quantify the diet composition of birds. Methods Using water level and agricultural management of the fields as variables, habitat selection was analysed by compositional analysis. Godwit diet composition was quantified by faecal analysis, and food abundance was sampled to explain the observed habitat selection. Results We found evidence of higher use of flooded and ploughed paddies than expected from their relative abundance. These fields have the highest densities of buried rice kernels, which seem to be the main food source for Black-tailed Godwits. Conclusion Currently, godwits find good foraging areas in Portuguese rice fields, feeding primarily on rice kernels that are mostly found in flooded ploughed fields. Changes in rice farming, late ploughing and predicted decreases in rainfall may lead to loss of this habitat. However, because of the man-made nature of their requirements, it should be possible to install relevant land-use practices that guarantee the availability of high quality stopover habitats.