Chick growth and prey quality in the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

摘要: 1. In each of four replicate experiments we fed three groups bee-eater chicks for 24 h on different diets: bees, dragonflies, and a mixture the two. 2. Dry weight assimilation efficiency did not differ between treatments was in region 40–50%. Caloric about 60% significantly diets. 3. Mean Growth (wt. gain/intake) highest all replicates mixed diet. 4. When metabolic requirements are taken into account, growth diet varies less with variation intake than two pure diets. 5. The advantage feeding may partly explain why parents do show exclusive preferences energy-maximising prey types.