Fat deposits and molt of birds mist-netted in southeastern Peru
Journal of Field Ornithology
1987
Journal Article
58
3
306-310
Reserva Nacional Tambopata animals birds morphology feeding seasonality Madre de Dios Bibliography
In the middle of the rainy season (November-February), in the TRZ, 600 individuals of 111 bird species were captured using mist-nets. Fat deposits ocurred in 251 individuals of 67 species and 20 families. These deposits never reach the maximum found in previous studies on migratory birds of the temperate zone. The highest percentage of individuals with fat deposits fell in the Pipidrae family. The percentage was also high in the Dendrocolaptidae, Turdidae, Formicaridae and Thraupidae families; and low in Trochilidae, Ramphastidae and Furnariidae. Near 50% of the birds examined were molting. There was in increase in the proportion of molting birds near February. Fat deposition was negatively correlated with molt. The data confirm that tropical birds and those of temperate zones have similar quantities of fat deposits. This suggests that even though the tropical birds have lower energy demands than those of the temperate zones, they store reserves; since molting and breeding require energy as well as when the seasonal changes of the environment affect the availability of resources.