Conditional association between melanism and personality in Israeli Barn Owls
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2014 |
Authors: | Peleg, O, Charter, M, Leshem, Y, Izhaki, I, ROULIN, ALEXANDRE |
Journal: | Bird Study |
Volume: | 61 |
Issue: | 4 |
Date Published: | 2014 |
ISBN Number: | 0006-3657 |
Keywords: | Tyto, Tyto alba, Tytonidae |
Abstract: | Capsule Boldness defines the extent to which animals are willing to take risks in the presence of a predator. Late, but not early, in the breeding season, Israeli nestling Barn Owls displaying larger black feather spots were more docile, feigned death longer and had a lower breathing rate when handled than smaller-spotted nestlings. Larger-spotted breeding females were less docile if heavy but more more docile if light. The covariation between personality (boldness vs. timid) and melanin-based colouration is therefore conditional on environmental factors.Capsule Boldness defines the extent to which animals are willing to take risks in the presence of a predator. Late, but not early, in the breeding season, Israeli nestling Barn Owls displaying larger black feather spots were more docile, feigned death longer and had a lower breathing rate when handled than smaller-spotted nestlings. Larger-spotted breeding females were less docile if heavy but more more docile if light. The covariation between personality (boldness vs. timid) and melanin-based colouration is therefore conditional on environmental factors. |
URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2014.958053 |
Short Title: | Bird Study |
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