Zebra Finch Incubation: Brood patch, Egg Temperature and Thermal Properties of the Nest

摘要: Incubation was investigated in a wild population of Zebra Finches Taenropygia gurtata northern Victoria and comparisons made with wild-caught birds. A data logger recorded temperature readings from thermocouples inside eggs, nests, nesting bushes exposed positions adjacent to bushes. Both sexes incubate but only the female has brood patch; this forms at start incubation regresses soon after eggs hatch. Females incubated night both shared during day. There were no consistent differences developing heated by two nor did differ their ability rewarm cold eggs; fluctuations also not consistently between sexes. began day fourth egg laid for clutches ≥ 5 or last smaller clutches. Hatching more synchronous than captivity. The nest maintain differential limited: air temperatures roof chamber enclosed roosting breeding nests followed ambient closely when conditions mild provided an insulating effect that ameliorated low temperatures.