Effects of cropping practices on the use of rice fields by waterbirds in the Camargue, France

The abundance of waterbirds was compared in 46 rice fields in relation with the age of the field and the planting practices in spring. Of the 29 species censused, Charadriiformes represented some 73%, Ciconiiformes 6%, and Anseriformes less than 15.5% of the total number of individuals, flamingos and moorhens being also observed. Insectivorous species were the main component of the waterbird community. Bird numbers decreased with increasing field age and were lower in dry-sown than in wet-sown fields. The present results suggest that intensive and/or repetitive soil management and pesticide use may decrease the food resources available to waterbirds.