AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Establishment of Mass Hierarchies in Broods of the Black Kite

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
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith