The frequency and timing of laying gaps

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The frequency of laying gaps was studied in a nestbox breeding population of Blue Tits Parus caeruleus during the breeding season of 1990. In as many as 27% of the 55 clutches studied, laying was interrupted for at least one day. It is concluded that the interruption of egg laying depends on food availability since the frequency of laying gaps decreased in clutches laid by females experimentally provided with extra food. Most gaps occurred after the laying of the first or second egg, indicating that each female started egg laying on the verge of what is possible for uninterrupted laying. The occurrence of laying gaps was not connected with certain dates, female age, clutch size or mean egg mass of the clutch, instead each female seemed to individually optimize the start of egg laying in relation to the risk of interrupted laying. To some extent the female is able to save energy for egg production because an egg laid after a gap was heavier than corresponding eggs laid in clutches without gaps. Furthermore, eggs laid immediatelly before a gap were lighter than equivalent eggs in other clutches, indicating that females, to some extent, are willing to trade egg quality against uninterrupted laying.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)122-126
JournalOrnis Scandinavica
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Ecology

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