Body size, habitat quality, and territory defense in Bachman’s sparrow

Abstract Many wild populations of animals conform to the ideal despotic distribution (IDD) in which more competitive individuals exclude less from high quality resources. Body size and aggressiveness are two important traits for resource defense, they positively covary so that larger usually aggressive. Using Bachman’s sparrows, we tested hypothesis birds aggressive thus able compete best territories. We found males were aggressive, fledged at least one young. However, did not find consistent relationships between habitat characteristics. Our results suggest sparrows meet most predictions IDD. Frequent ecological disturbances, such as fires, might disrupt IDD or make it difficult detect. Additional studies needed test disturbances territorial behaviour.