Diet of nestling Linnets ( Acanthis cannabina L.)
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1998 |
Authors: | Eybert, M-C, Constant, P |
Journal: | Journal of Ornithology |
Volume: | 139 |
Issue: | 3 |
Date Published: | 1998 |
ISBN Number: | 2193-7192 |
Keywords: | Acanthis, Acanthis cannabina, Carduelis cannabina, France, Fringillidae, Linaria, Linaria cannabina |
Abstract: | Summary The diet of nestling linnets ( Acanthis cannabina ) living on a heathland in Brittany (France) was studied by faecal pellet analysis during the 1982 and 1983 breeding seasons. Seeds composed the main part of the diet. According to month, Taraxacum officinale (Compositae), Stellaria media (Caryophyllaceae), Brassica napus (Cruciferae), Anthoxantum odoratum (Gramineae) and Euphorbia helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae) dominated. Nestling age and brood size influenced parents' food selection, especially seed size selection. The younger the nestlings, the larger the selected seeds. Increased food demands of larger broods were compensated by larger seeds selected. Adults generally fed seeds within given size limits, but these limits were not imperative. Adults were opportunistic, raising their broods with the most available seeds, such as rape ( Brassica napus ) seed, but at the same time provisioning them with weed seeds from fallow lands or meadows. |
URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01653338 |
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