When moult overlaps migration: moult-related changes in plasma biochemistry of migrating common snipe.

ABSTRACT: Moult of feathers entails considerable physiological and energetic costs to an avian organism. Even under favourable feeding conditions, endogenous body stores and energy reserves of moulting birds are usually severely depleted. Thus, most species of birds separate moult from other energy-demanding activities, such as migration or reproduction. Common snipe Gallinago gallinago is an exception, as during the first autumn migration many young snipe initiate the post-juvenile moult, which includes replacement of body feathers, lesser and median wing coverts, tertials, and rectrices. Here, we evaluated moult-related changes in blood plasma biochemistry of the common snipe during a period of serious trade-off in energy allocation between moult and migration. For this purpose, concentrati

SUBMITTER: Podlaszczuk P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5344014 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature