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Greater energy stores enable flightless moulting geese to increase resting behaviour
Portugal, S.J.; Green, J.A.; Piersma, T.; Eichhorn, G.; Butler, P.J. (2011). Greater energy stores enable flightless moulting geese to increase resting behaviour. Ibis 153(4): 868-874. dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2011.01167.x
In: Ibis. British Ornithologists' Union/Wiley: London. ISSN 0019-1019; e-ISSN 1474-919X, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keyword
    Branta leucopsis (Bechstein, 1803) [WoRMS]
Author keywords
    anti-predator behaviour; Barnacle Geese; body mass loss; simultaneouswing moult; storage strategies; structural size

Authors  Top 
  • Portugal, S.J.
  • Green, J.A.
  • Piersma, T., more
  • Eichhorn, G.
  • Butler, P.J.

Abstract
    Many species of waterfowl undergo a post-breeding simultaneous flight feather moult (wing moult) which renders them flightless and vulnerable to predation for up to 4 weeks. Here we present an analysis of the correlations between individual time-budgets and body mass states in 13 captive Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis throughout an entire wing moult. The daily percentage of time spent resting was positively correlated with initial body mass at the start of wing moult. Behaviour of individual birds during wing moult is dependent on initial physiological state, which may in turn be dependent on foraging ability; the storage of energy before the start of wing moult will help birds to reduce exposure to the dangers of predation.

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