The effects of annual cycle stages and life-history traits on feather abrasion.

ABSTRACT: Tissue wear in animals occurs consistently and can impair their functionality. In birds, abrasion - which reduces the feathered surface area - is caused by various factors. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, patterns and immediate consequences of feather abrasion. Given the lack of reliable and widely accepted methods for quantifying feather abrasion, we present the Minimum Convex Abrasion Area (MCAA), a novel approach for its measurement. This method facilitates the estimation of feather abrasion in both museum specimens and living birds, enabling an exploration of the factors influencing abrasion across different phases of the avian annual- and life-cycle. We analysed 283 feathers from 21 passerine species, revealing that the highest rate of feather abrasion occurs

SUBMITTER: Kiat Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12316949 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature