Bird Life History and Nests
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary tradeoff described in life history theory?

  • Survival and mating frequency
  • Growth rate and energy expenditure
  • Social behavior and territory size
  • Longevity and fecundity (correct)

Which of the following factors significantly affects annual fecundity in bird species?

  • Availability of nesting materials
  • Number of predators in the area
  • Annual mortality rate (correct)
  • Body size of the bird

Which bird species is an example of a species with a floating platform nest?

  • Wilson's Plover
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Cliff Swallow
  • Western Grebe (correct)

What is meant by the term 'extended phenotype' in the context of nesting?

<p>The environmental impact of the nests constructed by birds (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nesting strategies is NOT mentioned as a method utilized by birds?

<p>Utilizing abandoned human structures (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor describes the average probability of a bird living to a certain age?

<p>Age-specific survival rate (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following bird species is known for constructing stick nests?

<p>Rufous-fronted Thornbird (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adaptive significance do elaborate nests provide for passerine birds?

<p>Enhanced breeding success and survival (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of nest is characterized by an enclosed, dark brood chamber?

<p>Cavity nest (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is NOT commonly used in nest construction by birds?

<p>Baking (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which species is it common for males to regulate nest temperature by monitoring litter in a compost mound?

<p>Australian Brushturkey (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of altricial bird species?

<p>Naked and blind at hatching (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence incubation periods in bird species?

<p>Temperature of the environment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of nest building behavior do some birds exhibit when they tie knots?

<p>Weaving (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is NOT used by birds to protect their nests from predators?

<p>Building nests in open areas (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is nest predation a significant concern for many bird species?

<p>It causes a high rate of mortality for eggs and young (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do parents assist each other during the incubation phase?

<p>Non-incubating partner feeds the incubating partner (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which bird is known for feigning injury to distract predators from their nests?

<p>Killdeer (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of nest is typically safer from predation?

<p>Cavity nests (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a superprecocial bird?

<p>Megapode (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do nestlings use to signal their need for food from parents?

<p>Begging calls (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge faced by hatchlings when they begin to emerge from their eggs?

<p>Breaking the eggshell (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Lack’s hypothesis predict about clutch size?

<p>Selection will favor the clutch size that produces the most surviving offspring. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to lead to smaller clutch sizes according to the content?

<p>Nest predation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does seasonality affect clutch sizes among birds?

<p>Birds in seasonal habitats generally have larger clutches than birds in stable habitats. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trade-off must birds consider to maximize their lifetime reproductive success?

<p>Balancing current reproduction and future survival. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical pattern regarding the longevity of birds compared to mammals?

<p>Birds tend to live longer, averaging about twice the lifespan of similar-sized mammals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding annual survival rates in birds?

<p>Annual survival rates vary significantly across different species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might increasing clutch size come at a cost to parents?

<p>Increased investment in one year may deplete resources for future reproduction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an expected outcome of higher fecundity in birds?

<p>Decreased annual survival rates, particularly in females. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a factor influencing clutch size variation across bird taxa?

<p>Seasonality, food limitations, and predation are significant factors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What relationship exists between latitude and clutch size?

<p>Clutch sizes are typically greater at higher latitudes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant long-term trend observed in bird populations over the last century?

<p>Overall decline of 50% in many populations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered a limitation on bird population growth?

<p>Migration patterns (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the introduction of European Starlings to North America?

<p>Rapid population growth followed by decline (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does density dependence affect reproductive rates in Great Tits?

<p>Higher density causes a decrease in eggs laid (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following threats to bird populations is primarily attributed to human activities?

<p>Habitat destruction and pollution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary ecological consequence of habitat fragmentation on bird populations?

<p>Increased mortality and decreased dispersal (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors complicates conservation efforts for migratory bird species?

<p>Lack of connectivity between migratory routes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the historical impact of humans on bird extinction?

<p>The Passenger Pigeon was driven to extinction due to overhunting. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of reintroduction efforts, what role did DDT play in impacting the Peregrine Falcon population?

<p>It was a significant factor in their decline in Eastern North America. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary evolutionary advantages of the variety in nest architectures found in bird species?

<p>To enhance the successful fledging of young birds (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which bird species exemplifies the phenomenon of secondary cavity nesting?

<p>Mexican Jays (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do altricial bird species typically differ from precocial bird species in early development?

<p>Altricial chicks are born blind and naked and require parental care. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common factor influences the incubation period of bird species?

<p>The size of the eggs and the yolk (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is typically true regarding nest safety and design across different bird species?

<p>Cryptic nests are often used to enhance invisibility against predators. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of cavity nests contributes to their safety from predation compared to open nests?

<p>Inaccessibility due to their enclosed structure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Lack's hypothesis suggest about the optimal clutch size in relation to resource availability?

<p>Intermediate clutch sizes are favored for maximizing the number of surviving offspring. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is likely to decrease clutch size in bird species according to the content provided?

<p>High incidences of nest predation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do seasonal environments influence the reproductive strategies of birds?

<p>Seasonal habitats generally favor larger clutch sizes due to food fluctuations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the consequences of increasing reproductive efforts in bird species?

<p>Female birds tend to face higher costs of reproduction than males. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that differentiates the annual cycles of migratory birds from permanent residents?

<p>Migratory species must prepare for seasonal changes with substantial fat reserves. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the pineal gland in regulating circadian rhythms in birds?

<p>To produce melatonin based on day-length (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the impact of climate on the breeding seasons of birds?

<p>Breeding seasons in temperate zones are limited to 3-4 months due to resource availability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do Zeitgebers play in the context of endogenous rhythms?

<p>They serve as environmental cues that help align biological rhythms with daily cycles. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do nonannual breeding cycles manifest in specific bird species?

<p>They are common in tropical species with year-round food availability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the physiological significance of molting in relation to breeding and migration?

<p>Molting typically follows breeding in the warmest months before migration. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason why many songbirds migrate at night rather than during the day?

<p>Reduced predator activity and calmer wind patterns. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which bird species is known to undertake an extensive non-stop migration over open ocean?

<p>Bar-tailed Godwit (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum altitude reached by the Bar-headed Goose during migrations?

<p>9,000 m (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technique has significantly improved the understanding of bird migration routes?

<p>Radar and satellite tracking (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors best explains the variability observed in bird migration routes among individuals?

<p>Age and sex of the bird (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Life History

The pattern of how an organism allocates time and energy to activities like growth, reproduction, and survival throughout its life.

Fecundity

The ability to produce offspring; high fecundity means a species produces lots of young.

Annual Fecundity

The number of young successfully raised each year.

Extended Phenotype

The total effect an organism has on its environment, beyond its own body.

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Nests

Structures built by birds to protect eggs and young.

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Nest Architecture

The diverse ways birds build nests, differing based on species and environmental conditions.

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Tradeoff between longevity and fecundity

Species that live a long time tend to have fewer offspring, and species that have many offspring tend to live shorter lives.

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Age-specific survivorship

Probability of living to a given age.

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Optimal Clutch Size

The clutch size that produces the most surviving offspring, balancing the number of eggs laid with the likelihood of offspring survival.

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Lack's Hypothesis

The idea that natural selection favors the clutch size that maximizes the number of surviving offspring, driven by limitations on resources and parental care.

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Seasonality's Impact on Clutch Size

Birds in habitats with fluctuating food supply (seasonal) typically lay larger clutches than birds in stable environments.

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Nest Predation's Influence

Increased nest predation favors smaller clutches, as larger clutches attract more predators and require more food for young, increasing detectability.

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Trade-Offs in Reproduction

Investing heavily in one year's reproduction can come at the cost of future reproduction and survival, particularly for females.

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Annual Survival Rate

The probability of a bird surviving from one year to the next.

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Bird Longevity

Birds are notable for their long lifespans compared to mammals of similar size and metabolic rate.

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Annual Reproductive Effort

The amount of resources that a bird dedicates to reproduction in a single year.

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Life Span Variation

Maximum lifespan varies greatly between bird taxa with songbirds living shorter lives than seabirds and raptors, and some living exceptionally long.

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Seasonal Death Risk

For adult birds, the risk of death is often highest during certain seasons, especially those with limited resources.

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Ancestral Nest Type

The original type of nest within a bird lineage, from which other nest types often evolved.

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Open Cup Nest

A simple, shallow nest without a dome or covering, often built on branches or the ground.

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Enclosed Nest

A nest with a dome or covering, providing protection from weather and predators.

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Nest Architecture Diversity

The wide variety of nest types within a bird clade, reflecting evolutionary adaptations and ecological niches.

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Phylogeny and Nest Type

The relationship between a bird's evolutionary history and its nest type.

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Swallow Nest Evolution

How swallows adapted their nests from open cups to burrow nests, tree cavities, and mud nests, each evolving independently.

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Furnariidae: Ecological Diversity

The ovenbirds and woodcreepers (Furnariidae) of the Neotropics display a wide range of ecological roles and nest types.

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Cavity Nest Competition

The struggle between birds for limited resources like available holes in trees for nests.

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Secondary Cavity Nester

Birds that cannot build their own nest cavities and rely on holes made by other species.

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Nest Safety Strategies

How birds protect their eggs and young by ensuring their nests are hidden, inaccessible, and defensible.

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Nest Defense: Accipiter Advantage

Some hummingbirds nest near hawk nests to reduce predation by jays, as the hawks deter the jays.

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Incubation Period

The time a bird spends keeping its eggs warm from laying to hatching.

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Attentiveness

The amount of time a parent bird spends incubating eggs.

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Hatching

The process of a baby bird breaking out of its eggshell and entering the world.

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Megapodes: Incubation by Heat

These mound-building birds use the heat of decaying vegetation to incubate their eggs, unlike most birds.

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Habitat Loss

The destruction or degradation of natural areas used by birds for breeding, feeding, and resting, leading to population declines.

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Fragmentation

The division of continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, increasing edge effects and making it harder for birds to move between areas.

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Connectivity

The ability of birds to move freely between habitats, essential for migration, gene flow, and population survival.

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Extinction

The complete disappearance of a species, often caused by human activities like habitat loss, hunting, or disease.

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Reintroductions

Programs to re-establish a species in an area where it was previously extinct or near extinction.

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Population Bottleneck

A drastic, rapid reduction in population size, often triggered by events like disease or habitat loss. This can lead to decreased genetic diversity and increased inbreeding.

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Inbreeding

The mating of closely related individuals, which can lead to increased expression of harmful recessive genes and reduced fitness.

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What is the greatest threat to birds today?

Habitat loss, both through direct destruction and degradation, is the most significant threat to bird populations worldwide.

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What impact did DDT have on bird populations?

The insecticide DDT directly killed birds and also affected their ability to reproduce by weakening eggshells, leading to population declines in species like Bald Eagles and Brown Pelicans.

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What are the IUCN Red List categories?

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List classifies species based on their risk of extinction, including categories like 'endangered,' 'vulnerable,' and 'critically endangered.'

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Seasonal Food Fluctuation

Birds in habitats with unpredictable food supply (seasonal) usually lay larger clutches than birds in stable environments.

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Nest Predation

Predation on nests often favors smaller clutches because larger clutches attract more predators and require more food for young, making the nest more noticeable.

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Clutch Size Variation

Clutch size varies greatly across bird species, with some laying just one or two eggs, while others lay dozens. This variation is influenced by food availability, nest predation, and the balance between current and future reproductive success.

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Reproductive Tradeoffs

Investing heavily in current reproduction can come at a cost to future reproduction and survival, especially for female birds.

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Flyways

General migratory routes followed by groups of birds during seasonal movements, but these routes can be variable depending on the species and individual.

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Stopover Sites

Locations where birds stop during migration to rest, refuel, and build up energy for the next leg of their journey.

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Radar and Satellite Tracking

Using radar signals and satellite technology to monitor bird migration patterns, allowing scientists to track both large groups and individual birds.

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Austral Migration

Seasonal bird migrations occurring in the southern hemisphere, primarily within South America, Australia, and Africa.

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Migration Altitude

The height at which birds fly during migration, typically at lower altitudes but some species can reach impressive heights.

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What regulates daily cycles?

Circadian rhythms are internal biological clocks that regulate daily cycles, synchronized by environmental cues like light and temperature.

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What is a Zeitgeber?

A Zeitgeber is an external cue, such as light or temperature, that synchronizes an organism's internal clock to a 24-hour cycle.

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What is photorefractory period?

A photorefractory period is a time when a bird's gonads are unresponsive to long days, even though they are necessary for breeding.

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Why is timing breeding season important?

Timing the breeding season is crucial for bird survival and reproductive success, ensuring food availability, safe nest sites, favorable weather, and minimal predation.

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How do birds time migrations?

Birds use internal biological clocks and cues like photoperiod to coordinate their migrations, ensuring arrival to breeding grounds with appropriate resources and weather conditions.

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Ancestral Nest

The original type of nest within a bird lineage, from which other more specialized nest types often evolved. This ancestral state can be inferred from the evolutionary history of a bird group.

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Cavity Nest

A nest enclosed within a cavity, often in a tree, offering protection from predators and weather. These nests are commonly sought after by many bird species.

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Megapodes

A group of birds that use the heat of composting vegetation to incubate their eggs, unlike most birds who incubate by sitting on them. This frees parents from the task of incubation.

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Study Notes

Life History

  • Life History Definition: A pattern of resource allocation to essential activities across stages such as birth, development, reproduction, and death.
  • Trade-offs: A balance between lifespan and reproductive output (fecundity).
  • Reproductive Decisions: Choosing when, how often, and how many offspring to produce.
  • Survivorship: Probability of living to a certain age. Birds generally age slowly compared to other animals.
  • Fecundity: Number of offspring successfully raised each year. Short-lived species often have high fecundity, while long-lived species have low fecundity.

Nests

  • Nest Role: Essential for protecting eggs and young. All birds start life in a nest from an egg.
  • Nest Diversity: Birds build nests in diverse architectures.
  • Examples of Nest Types: Sandy scrape (Wilson's Plover), floating platform (Western Grebe), stick nest (Great Blue Heron), cavity/hole nest (Gila Woodpecker), mud nest (Cliff Swallow), suspended cup nest (Warbling Vireo), cup nest (Broad-tailed Hummingbird), suspended nests (Crested Oropendolas), stick nest (Rufous-fronted Thornbird).
  • Extended Phenotype: Nests are considered an "extended phenotype", the total impact of an individual on the environment beyond their physical characteristics.

Nest Evolution

  • Nest Ancestry: Ancestral bird nests were likely enclosed, domed vegetation structures. Open cup nests are a later adaptation.
  • Ecological Morphs: Bird families like Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and woodcreepers) exhibit a wide variety of nest types corresponding to their diverse habitats.
  • Nest Building Diversity within Species: Some species, like swallows, have diverse nest-building tactics, even utilizing human structures.
  • Nest Construction Methods: Methods range from scraping and digging to weaving and tying, even using saliva.

Cavity Nest Competition

  • Cavity Nesting Importance: Half of bird orders use cavities for nesting.
  • Natural Cavities: Some species modify cavities (in living wood or fungal-weakened wood).
  • Secondary Cavity Nesters: Some species use cavities created by others, leading to intense competition.

Nest Safety and Defense

  • Nest Protection Strategies: Birds use techniques like choosing cryptic (hidden) locations, inaccessible nests, or attracting predators away from the nest (by feigning injury).
  • Nest Predation: A significant threat to bird populations.
  • Cavity Nest Safety: Cavity nests are generally safer than open nests.

Incubation

  • Incubation Definition: Maintaining a stable temperature for egg development.
  • Incubation Methods: External incubation is the rule. Birds regulate heat in their nests.
  • Incubation Trade-offs: Parental care must balance incubation needs with the energetic needs of the parents.
  • Regulation of Embryo Temperature: Birds regulate egg temperature in response to environmental conditions.

Hatching

  • Hatching Challenges: Eggshells need to be broken by special muscles and anatomical modifications (like an egg tooth).
  • Hatching Process: A series of steps in breaking eggshells and emerging.

Megapodes

  • Megapode Nesting: These birds use mounds of composting vegetation to incubate eggs.

Modes of Development

  • Altricial vs. Precocial: Two main development types: altricial young are helpless at hatching, precocial are more independent. Intermediate stages exist.
  • Development Categories: Six categories for development of young: superprecocial, precocial, subprecocial, semiprecocial, semialtricial, altricial.

Nestlings

  • Begging Behavior: Nestlings exhibit behaviors to solicit food from parents. Competition exists among nestlings.
  • Begging and Predation: Begging can increase predation risk in certain nest environments. Different modes of food delivery exist.

Fledging

  • Fledging Definition: Young leaving the nest.
  • Development Stages: Chicks exercise and grow strength before becoming independent.
  • Fledging Risk: High rate of mortality during the fledging period.

Clutch Size

  • Clutch Size Definition: Number of eggs laid at one time.
  • Factors Influencing Clutch Size: Food availability, seasonality, nest predation, and maximizing overall fitness.
  • Lack's Hypothesis: Clutch size is optimized by maximizing offspring survival.
  • Clutch Size Trade-offs: Clutch sizes are not always as predicted by simple survival models, future reproductive success, and overall fitness are important considerations.

Annual Reproductive Effort

  • Trade-offs in Reproduction: Current reproduction can come at the expense of future reproduction and survival.
  • Sex Differences in Reproductive Costs: Females typically suffer higher reproductive costs.
  • Experimental Manipulations: Demonstrating the impact of clutch size on later reproductive success.

Longevity and Life Span

  • Bird Longevity: Birds, considering their size and metabolism, live much longer than similar-sized mammals.
  • Maximum Ages: Maximum lifespans vary among bird species.
  • Survival Rates: Annual survival rates vary considerably across species. First-year survival is usually lower.

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Description

Explore the fascinating concepts of life history and nest building in birds. This quiz covers essential topics such as trade-offs between lifespan and reproduction, as well as the diverse nesting strategies employed by different bird species. Perfect for anyone interested in avian biology.

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