La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Variation in carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in flight feathers of a moulting White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala
Auteurs :	Craig T. Symes, Auteur ; Stephan M. Woodborne, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Ostrich (82(3) DEC 2011)
Article en page(s) :	163-166
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	We measured delta C-13 and delta N-15 isotope signatures in flight feathers of a White-bellied Sunbird to assess the value of using stable isotopes of feathers in avian dietary studies. Significant variation in delta C-13 and delta N-15 isotope values of flight feathers (range = 3.1 parts per thousand and 2.7 parts per thousand, respectively) indicated that the source of carbon (i.e. C-3 or CAM) and trophic level position shifted significantly during the flight feather moult period. Temporal dietary changes in an individual sunbird highlight the implications for interpreting avian diets using stable isotopes. However, by analysing feathers, dietary input may be interpreted at different levels if the moult process is well understood.

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