Experimental functional response and inter-individual variation in foraging rate of teal (Anas crecca).

摘要: The functional response, i.e. the change in per capita food intake rate time unit with changed availability, is a widely used tool for understanding ecology and behaviour of animals. However, waterfowl remain poorly explored this context. In an aviary experiment we derived response curve teal (Anas crecca) foraging on rice (Oryza sativa) seeds. We found linear relationship between seed density, as expected filter-feeder. At high densities threshold, above which still increased linearly but lower slope, possibly reflecting switch from filter-feeding to scooping mode. present study shows that related availability within range naturally occurring densities, finding major implications management conservation wetland habitats.