AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Reduced Take-Off Ability in Robins (Erithacus rubecula) Due to Migratory Fuel Load

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1999
Authors:Lind, J, FRANSSON, THORD, Jakobsson, S, Kullberg, C
Journal:Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Volume:46
Issue:1
Date Published:1999
ISBN Number:03405443
Keywords:Erithacus, Erithacus rubecula, Falco, Falco columbarius, Falconidae, Muscicapidae
Abstract:Recent studies have shown that large fuel loads in small birds impair flying ability. This is the first study to show how migratory fuel load affects flying ability, such as velocity and height gained at take-off in a predator escape situation, in a medium-distance migrant, and whether they adjust their take-off according to predator attack angle. First-year robins (Erithacus rubecula) were subjected to simulated attacks from a model merlin (Falco columbarius), and take-off velocity and angle were analysed. Robins with a wing load of 0.19 g cm-2 took off at a 39% lower angle than robins with a wing load of 0.13 g cm-2, while velocity remained unaffected. The robins did not adjust their angle of ascent in accordance with the predator's angle of attack. Since many predators rely on surprise attacks, a difference in flight ability due to varying fuel loads found in migrating robins can be important for birds' chances of survival when actually attacked.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4601641
Short Title:Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
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