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The relationship between intra- and interspecific brood amalgamation in waterfowl

Article Abstract:

The likelihood that a lineage of the waterfowl has the interspecific brood amalgamation state increases when the lineage also possesses the intraspecific amalgamation state. A waterfowl lineage can also shift to interspecific brood amalgamation under some ecological and life-history factors, such as nesting dispersion and nesting substrate. However, since no interspecificity was noted in some lineages that have the intraspecific brood amalgamation state, other factors may have a significant effect on the expression of interspecific brood amalgamation tendencies.

Waterfowl, Phylogeny

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The effect of group size on mean food intake rate in birds

Article Abstract:

The mean food intake rate (MFIR) of birds increases when foraging occurs in groups, with changes to the pattern of group size influenced by various ecological factors, such as food dispersion. The MFIR of a single bird doubles when it is joined by three or four more birds. MFIR increases are less likely with carcasses as a food type and most likely with seeds as opposed to invertebrates or fish. A monotonic increase was the most usual pattern of change in MFIR in relation to group size.

Ingestion

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Individual feeding specialisation in shorebirds: population consequences and conservation implications

Article Abstract:

Research is presented concerning the mechanisms which are involved in the feeding specialisations of shorebirds. The influence of social structure and individual skills on feeding strategy is discussed.

Behavior, Food habits, Coastal ecology, Shore birds, Shorebirds

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