La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Does the expression of a male plumage trait in female Kentish plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) signal individual quality?
Auteurs :	J. A. Amat, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Journal of Ornithology (146(3) JUL 2005)
Article en page(s) :	287-290
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	A small percentage (4.5%) of females Kentish plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) observed breeding in southern Spain expressed a plumage trait characteristic of males: the forecrown (frontal) black bar. The expression of this male trait may be age-related, and reversible, i.e., within individuals it may be present in some years but not in other years. Females with frontal bars were not in better condition and nor did they initiate breeding earlier than in years when they lacked frontal bars. Nevertheless, when females had frontal bars they laid larger eggs. I suggest that the frontal bar on females could be an epiphenomenon resulting from hormonal imbalances of females as they age.

Lundi , mardi et jeudi de 9h à 12h et de 13h à 17h00 : ouverture au public ...