Load size and energy delivery in birds feeding nestlings: constraints on and alternative strategies to energy-maximization

Abstract:

The Orians-Pearson model of central place foraging for multiple-prey loaders assumes, as does most of current foraging theory, (i) that the quantity to be maximized is rate of energy delivery, and (ii) that the capacity of the foraging animal is the only relevant constraint on this rate. When applied to the case of birds feeding nestlings the model pbkp_redicts, therefore, that the parents should select whichever load size maximizes the rate of energy delivery to the young. We assume here (i) that the parents could alternatively maximize the rate of energy delivery to the nest (m-strategy), maximize the time available for activities other than foraging (e.g. brooding) (b-strategy), or minimize the frequency of visits to the nest (v-strategy). We further assume (ii) that the nestlings impose constraints on the foraging behaviour of their parents in that there is a maximum load size that a brood can receive, as well as a …

Año de publicación:

1983

Keywords:

Fuente:

google