The ecological niche is the set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources required to maintain a population.
It determines the role of an individual in its environment. Living organisms can be producers, consumers or decomposers.
The ecological niche can be defined by the habitat, diet and period of activity.
The occupied space, or habitat, includes the space where individuals of a species live to meet their needs (to feed, hide, rest, reproduce, etc.). It may also include the migration territory.
For example, three species of birds could live in the same tree, but in different sections on the tree. One might prefer the lower branches, another the trunk and the third, the crown. Each ecological niche will meet the specific needs of each bird species.
Diet is defined by the type of food from which an individual draws energy. Refer to the concept sheet on domestic and wild animal diets for examples of diets.
The period of activity is the time when the individual is active or awake. This is when the animal might look for food, build its nest or groom itself. Daily activity can be referred to as diurnal or nocturnal, but some activity may also be annual (migration) or seasonal (reproduction). Diurnal and nocturnal animals cohabiting in the same habitat means that the habitat will be used at different times of the day.
Two species of birds of prey, one nocturnal and the other diurnal, can take turns on the same hunting ground.