Spatial Distribution and Habitat Overlap of Five Columbidae Species in the Czech Republic

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The spatial distribution of species and their utilisation of resources are essential for better understanding species ecology. Using data gathered by ornithologists in Czech Republic, we studied land use type utilisation of five pigeons and doves. Our study aimed to understand which species and type of land use are positively associated and whether the species are positively associated with land use heterogeneity. Additionally, we quantified the amount of land use type utilisation by each species and their spatial overlap in these land use types. We hypothesised that the species would mostly overlap in farmlands and urban areas. We found an almost complete overlap between the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), as well as between the common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) and the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur). We confirmed our hypothesis that the species distribution not only overlapped in farmlands and urban areas, but also in forests. Our study provides insight into these common species distributions and habitat affinities. ABSTRACT: Habitat overlap occurs when two species co-exist in the same habitat and utilise the same resources. Using common bird monitoring data in Czech Republic from 2015 and 2016, we compared the affinities of five Columbidae species regarding land use types. Moreover, we analysed the effects of land use types and land use heterogeneity on five species distributions. The aim of the study was to quantify the habitat overlap of five Columbidae species regarding types of land use and land use heterogeneity. We predicted a high level of habitat overlap between most of the species and its occurrence in farmlands and urban areas. Our results confirmed the high habitat overlap of all five Columbidae species in farmlands. An almost complete overlap was recorded between Columba livia domestica and Streptopelia decaocto, as well as between Columba palumbus and Streptopelia turtur. Considering land use utilisation, C. livia and S. decaocto mainly utilised farmlands and urban areas. Furthermore, deciduous forests were utilised by Columba oenas and coniferous and mixed forests by C. palumbus. Finally, S. turtur mainly utilised grasslands and avoided urban areas. We conclude that Columbidae species overlap in spatial distributions, mostly in urban areas, forests, and farmlands. Our study provides a summary of these common species habitat affinities.