Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding reveals spatial and sexual variation in
the diet of a scarce woodland bird.
Abstract
Avian diet can be affected by site-specific variables, such as habitat,
as well as intrinsic factors such as sex. This can lead to dietary niche
separation, which reduces competition between individuals, as well as
impacting how well avian species can adapt to environmental variation.
Estimating dietary niche separation is challenging, due largely to
difficulties in accurately identifying food taxa consumed. Consequently,
there is limited knowledge of the diets of woodland bird species, many
of which are undergoing serious population declines. Here, we show the
effectiveness of multi-marker faecal metabarcoding to provide in-depth
dietary analysis of a declining passerine, the Hawfinch
(Coccothraustes coccothraustes). We collected faecal samples from
(n=262) UK Hawfinches prior to, and during the breeding seasons in
2016-2019. We detected 49 and 90 plant and invertebrate taxa,
respectively. We found Hawfinch diet varied spatially, as well as
between sexes, indicating broad dietary plasticity and the ability of
Hawfinches to utilise multiple resources within their foraging
environments.