THE ECOLOGY OF THE GREENISH WARBLER <i>PHYLLOSCOPUS TROCHILOIDES</i> IN ITS WINTER QUARTERS

Abstract

Summary The Greenish Warbler is an abundant entirely insectivorous Pafaearctic migrant wintering in the tropical deciduous forests of India and east Asia. A population was studied at one locality in the eastern Ghats of south India over one winter, with a short return the following winter. Individuals maintain, and annually re‐occupy, territories throughout their seven or eight months stay. A general account of territorial behaviour is given. There is much evidence that food is critically short, particularly during the months of December to February and March, which coincides with the end of the dry season. Because of the short duration of the study, there are shortcomings in data presented. Nevertheless there is evidence that territories vary severalfold in quality and individual birds' behaviour and survival probability are correlated with this. It is suggested that territorial behaviour is the best individual strategy for long‐term resource management. The presence of food competitors can alter this behaviour, much as changes in food dispersion are known to. The ability to control return time to a patch as a subsidiary function for territoriality is briefly discussed.