Estimation of demographic parameters in bird populations

Abstract

Abstract Describing the population dynamics of a group of individuals requires some knowledge of its density, the number of births and deaths, and the number of individuals moving in or out (Lack 1954; Von Haartman 1971; Ricklefs 1973; Eberhardt 1985). Population biologists who wish to measure these processes must focus part of their attention on how to estimate demographic parameters (Lincoln 1930; Jackson 1933, 1939; Ricker 1956; De Lury 1947; Deevey 1947; Bailey 1951). However, it is extremely difficult to obtain comprehensive data on all aspects of the demography of a population. Usually only partial information about the life and death of a variable proportion of the population can be gathered. Thus in practice, demographic parameters are often estimated by sampling the population (involving some assumptions) and using appropriate statistical techniques.