Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1996 |
Authors: | VIÑUELA, JAVIER |
Journal: | The Condor |
Volume: | 98 |
Issue: | 1 |
Date Published: | 1996 |
ISBN Number: | 00105422 |
Keywords: | Accipitridae, Milvus, Milvus korschun, Milvus migrans |
Abstract: | The relative importance of hatching asynchrony, egg mass and chick growth were studied to establish mass hierarchies in broods of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans). Relative growth of first-hatched chicks was the best predictor of degree of chick mass hierarchy, while the effect of egg mass differences was negligible. A quadratic equation best explained the relationship between hatching asynchrony and growth of first-hatched chicks, probably due to the logistic growth curves in birds. Growth of the first-hatched chicks during the hatching period was not related to weather, breeder experience, brood size or year, but had a slight negative correlation with laying date and a positive correlation with amount of food in nests. Growth of chicks during such a short period in a stage of low energy demand may be little affected by environmental factors. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/1369512 |
Short Title: | The Condor |
Taxonomic name: