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Brood reduction in temperate and sub-tropical ospreys.
1Boston University Marine Program, Marine Biological Lab., 02543, Woods Hole, Ma., USA.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Nestling Osprey loss is linked to reduced food availability, with starvation primarily affecting younger chicks. Sibling aggression and nutritional status influence brood reduction in these birds.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Nestling loss is a significant factor in avian population dynamics.
- Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) exhibit variations in breeding success across different geographic locations.
- Understanding brood reduction is crucial for Osprey conservation efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns and causes of nestling loss in Osprey populations.
- To analyze brood reduction strategies in relation to food availability and geographic factors.
- To determine the impact of nutritional stress on nestling mortality and growth.
Main Methods:
- Field study of three eastern U.S. Osprey colonies in 1978-1979.
- Monitoring food delivery rates to nestlings.
- Quantifying nestling loss, clutch size, and hatching intervals.
- Observing sibling aggression and its relation to feeding.
Main Results:
- Nestling loss was higher in colonies with reduced food delivery rates.
- Starvation was the primary cause of death, predominantly affecting the youngest (third) chicks.
- Sibling aggression intensified under food-limited conditions, influencing feeding hierarchy.
- Growth rates varied more between colonies than within nests, reflecting food availability and competition.
Conclusions:
- Food availability is a critical determinant of Osprey nestling survival and brood reduction.
- Nutritional stress triggers adaptive behaviors like sibling aggression, which can be reversed with adequate feeding.
- Geographic factors, such as latitude and foraging time, significantly impact food delivery and breeding success in Ospreys.
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