Annual Home Ranges and Spacing Patterns of Capercaillie in Central Europe

Abstract

The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is endangered in Central Europe; knowledge of its spatial requirements is vague but important for conservation. I radiotracked 40 capercaillie during 1988-92 in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, to study annual range use patterns and to identify habitat needs for capercaillie conservation. Annual home ranges of females (n = 7) and males (n = 19) were not different in size (P = 0.56), diameter (P = 0.41), or vegetation (P > 0.15). Home range size varied between 132 and 1,207 ha, and averaged 550 ha (SE = 52 ha). Home range size was inversely related to availability of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) (P 5-year-old males were the last to leave. Movements of males to summer ranges could not be explained by food sources and may be related to predator avoidance. In the course of a year, birds of 1 lek may use a 30-50 km 2 area. Therefore, maintaining leks and habitat within 3-4 km of the lek center should be emphasized in capercaillie conservation