Recommendations for cowbird management in recovery efforts for the southwestern willow flycatcher
Studies in Avian Biology
By: S.I. Rothstein, B.E. Kus, M.J. Whitfield, and S.J. Sferra
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Abstract
Three generations of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury in the form of methylmercury. The levels of mercury in adult tissues and eggs remained about the same over 3 generations. The methylmercury diet had no effect on adult weights or weight changes during the reproductive season. Females fed a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury laid a greater percentage of their eggs outside their nestboxes than did controls, and also laid fewer eggs and produced fewer ducklings. Methylmercury in the diet appeared to result in a small amount of eggshell thinning. Ducklings from parents fed methylmercury were less responsive than, controls to tape-recorded maternal calls, but were hyper-responsive to a frightening stimulus in avoidance tests; there were no significant differences in locomotor activity in an open-field test.
Suggested Citation
Rothstein, S., Kus, B., Whitfield, M., Sferra, S., 2003, Recommendations for cowbird management in recovery efforts for the southwestern willow flycatcher: Studies in Avian Biology, v. 26, p. 157-167.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Recommendations for cowbird management in recovery efforts for the southwestern willow flycatcher |
| Series title | Studies in Avian Biology |
| Volume | 26 |
| Year Published | 2003 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | p. 157-167 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Studies in Avian Biology |
| First page | 157 |
| Last page | 167 |