Abstract
Suspended moult is a relatively common phenomenon in birds, but it has remained relatively ignored for a long time in studies dealing with moulting process. Furthermore, the new and increasing number of models used to estimate moult duration systematically omit the fact that suspended moults can occur and that they significantly alter parameter estimates. Taking suspended moults into account is critical to obtain reliable moult-associated parameter estimates, which is fundamental given the demographic and evolutionary consequences of moult in birds. The main goal of this work is to develop a standardised method useful for characterising the main moulting parameters (such as the duration and starting date) of bird species that perform suspended moults. Additionally, with the aim of delving into our understanding of when and why suspended moults happen, we study their relationship with the occurrence of second breeding attempts in summer. We used data obtained from a Red Crossbill population in the Pyrenees during a period of 17 years. We observed that the percentage of crossbills undergoing suspended moult was approximately 50% during summer (July–August) and that moult suspension ultimately gives rise to a lengthened moulting period. Underhill–Zucchini models assume a time-linear replacement of feathers, overestimating the moult duration. Based on these same modelling approaches, we proposed a method to calculate the real moult duration after removing the time during which the moult was suspended. We also obtained evidence supporting the idea that crossbills suspend their moult as a strategy that could increase their breeding output in summer. The method proposed here can be used as a tool for working with species that undergo suspended moults.
Zusammenfassung
Schätzung der Mauserdauer bei Vögeln mit unterbrochener Mauser am Beispiel des Fichtenkreuzschnabels und der Zusammenhang mit der Fortpflanzung
Eine unterbrochene Mauser ist ein bei Vögeln relativ häufig auftretendes Phänomen, das aber in den Untersuchungen zur Mauser lange Zeit außer Acht gelassen wurde. Außerdem ignorieren die vielen neuen Modelle zum Einschätzen der Mauserdauer systematisch die Tatsache, dass eine Unterbrechung der Mauser auftreten und dies einen erheblichen Einfluss auf die Parameter zum Einschätzen der Dauer haben kann. Solche Verschiebungen zu berücksichtigen ist sehr wichtig, um verlässliche, mit der Mauser zusammenhängende Parameter für die Abschätzung der Dauer zu erhalten, die wiederum für die demografischen und evolutionsbiologischen Auswirkungen der Mauser bei Vögeln wichtig ist. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war die Entwicklung einer standardisierten Methode, mit deren Hilfe man für diejenigen Vogelarten, bei denen eine unterbrochene Mauser vorkommt, die wichtigsten Merkmale wie z.B. den Beginn und die Dauer der Mauser bestimmen kann. Zum besseren Verständnis dafür, wann und warum eine unterbrochene Mauser vorkommt, untersuchten wir darüber hinaus einen Zusammenhang mit dem Auftreten eines zweiten Brutversuchs im Sommer. Wir verwendeten hierfür Daten, die über 17 Jahre hinweg in einer Fichtenkreuzschnabel-Population in den Pyrenäen gewonnen worden waren. Für diese konnten wir feststellen, dass der Anteil an Fichtenkreuzschnäbeln mit unterbrochener Mauser im Sommer (Juli-August) etwa 50% betrug und schließlich zu einer verlängerten Mauserdauer führte. Die Underhill-Zucchini-Modelle gehen von einem zeitlinearen Ersatz von Federn aus und überschätzen dabei die Dauer der Mauser. Auf einem gleichen Modellansatz basierend schlagen wir eine Methode zur Berechnung der tatsächlichen Mauserdauer vor, aus der die Zeit der Unterbrechung herausgerechnet wird. Wir erhielten auch Belege für die Annahme, dass Fichtenkreuzschnäbel ihre Mauser möglicherweise aus strategischen Gründen unterbrechen, um so ihren Bruterfolg im Sommer zu vergrößern. Die von uns hier vorgestellte Methode kann als Hilfe für Untersuchungen an solchen Arten verwendet werden, bei denen eine unterbrochene Mauser vorkommt.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the people who collaborated with us during the field work, particularly to A. Mendiburu and J. Barbarin. Two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments that helped improve an earlier version of the manuscript. Birds were captured thanks to the permits granted by the corresponding authorities (Gobierno de Navarra, Gobierno de Aragón, and Gobierno de Castilla y León). The English was checked by an expert (A. Garro).
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All the authors participated in the conception and design of the work: DA, BF, and JA conceived the ideas and designed methodology; DA collected the data; BF and DG analysed the data; BF, JA, and DG led the writing of the manuscript. All authors contributed critically and gave final approval for publication. We also declare that the article is original and that it has not been submitted anywhere other than your journal. We would of course be ready to provide further information about our data and methods if desired.
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This study was conducted under permission from the Departamento de Desarrollo Rural, Medio Ambiente y Administración Local de Navarra, Spain. All data were collected by DA, who has licenses for handling animals for scientific purposes.
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Fernández-Eslava, B., Alonso, D., Galicia, D. et al. Estimation of moult duration in birds with suspended moults: the case of the Red Crossbill and its relation to reproduction. J Ornithol 161, 481–490 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01739-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01739-7