| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 2004 |
| Authors: | Borras, A, Cabrera, T, Cabrera, J, Senar, JC |
| Journal: | Ibis |
| Volume: | 146 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Date Published: | 2004 |
| ISBN Number: | 1474-919X |
| Keywords: | Carduelis, Carduelis citrinella, Citrinella, Fringillidae, Serinus, Serinus citrinella, Serinus serinus |
| Abstract: | The speed of avian moult has been related to body condition, and this to habitat quality. These facts suggest a relationship between habitat quality and moult speed. We looked for evidence of such a relationship in the Citril Finch Serinus citrinella in the Pyrenees, where, because of a Mediterranean influence, there is an important bioclimatic contrast between north- and south-facing slopes of the same mountain. This contrast strongly affects the general body condition of birds there (higher body mass, fat score and survival on north-facing slopes). Citril Finches in the higher quality area moulted more rapidly (measured as residual wing raggedness) than those in the lower quality area, the two sampling localities being only 5 km apart. As the birds initiated moult at the same time in the two locations, this difference in speed cannot have resulted from a differential effect of photoperiod. This stresses the importance of habitat selection, even at very small scales, for the completion of moult. |
| URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2004.00199.x |
| Short Title: | Ibis |
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