AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Fat Loads and Flightlessness in Wilson's Phalaropes

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1997
Authors:Jehl, Jr., JR
Journal:The Condor
Volume:99
Issue:2
Date Published:1997
ISBN Number:00105422
Keywords:Phalaropus, Phalaropus tricolor, Scolopacidae, South America, Steganopus, Steganopus tricolor
Abstract:Fat loads of about 45% of total body mass are maximal for most shorebird migrants. In preparing to fly nonstop from staging areas in North America to South America, some late-staging adult Wilson's Phalaropes (Phalaropus tricolor) amass greater loads (to 54%) and for a brief period become too heavy to fly. This condition is associated with rapid mass gain, but may involve other factors. Despite ostensibly ideal conditions at staging areas, the phalaropes' greatest rate of fat deposition (3.4-3.6% lean body mass· day-1) is only 60-70% of the theoretical maximum.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/1369964
Short Title:The Condor
Taxonomic name: 
Phalaropus (Birds), Phalaropus tricolor (Birds), Scolopacidae (Birds), Steganopus tricolor (Birds)
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith