Territory
A defended area. Territory size varies from pecking distance in the case of the Guillemot Uria aalge to several square kilometres in that of the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos. 'Breeding territories' may or may not also be 'feeding territories'. Few types of birds maintain a territory outside the breeding season, an example being the Robin Erithacus rubecula, although all birds, even when in flocks, usually keep their individual distance. The functions of territories vary but obviously the breeding territory provides an area in which the pair can undertake courtship, copulation and nesting without interference from others of their species.From Peter Weaver's Birdwatcher's Dictionary
Copyright © 1981 by Peter Weaver