FERN FEEDING ECOLOGY OF THE AZORES BULLFINCH PYRRHULA MURINA: THE SELECTION OF FERN SPECIES AND THE INFLUENCE OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION IN FERN CHOICE.

The article focuses on one study which examines the fern feeding ecology of the Azores bullfinch Pyrrhula murina in Serra da Tronqueira on the east of São Miguel Island, Azores. The species' selection of fern plants such as sporangia and leaves as well as the influence of nutritional composition in fern choice is also considered during the study. The abundance of sporangia and young fern leaves, along with the leaves' lipids, proteins, phenolics and caloric content were measured. After data analysis, it was revealed that Azores bullfinch consumed sporangia of Woodwardia radicans, Culcita macrocarpa and Pteris incompleta during winter and early spring. They also preferred fern expanding leaves and recently expanded leaves over croziers.