Winter coexistence in herbivorous waterbirds: niche differentiation in a floodplain, Poyang Lake, China

In this study, we tested the ecological segregation mechanisms in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 wintering periods among eight herbivorous waterbirds (including the Siberian crane <i>Grus leucogeranus</i>, hooded crane <i>Grus monacha</i>, white-naped crane <i>Grus vipio</i>, common crane <i>Grus grus</i>, greater white-fronted goose <i>Anser albifrons</i>, bean goose <i>Anser fabalis</i>, swan goose <i>Anser cygnoides</i>, and tundra swan <i>Cygnus columbianus</i>) at Poyang Lake. Using field observations and species niche and foraging habitat selection models, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and food sources of these eight waterbird species to quantify and compare their habitat use and ecological niches.