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Correlation between Color, Body Condition, and Diet in the Lesser Goldfinch
Date
2012Type
ThesisDepartment
Natural Resources and Environmental Science World Languages and Literatures
Degree Level
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Spanish
Abstract
Bright plumage is thought to be a true indicator of body condition because
consuming high quality forage forms brighter plumage. Plumage coloration is an
important secondary sexual characteristic. The relationship between winter plumage
coloration and fitness is not well understood in the Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria). I
collected body measurements, pictures of plumage, feathers, and blood of goldfinches to
assess the relationship between them. I assessed body condition by correcting mass with
body size to get an understanding of how color reflects the body condition of the
goldfinch. Plumage coloration was not correlated with body condition; however, the “L”
(brightness of the breast plumage) value had a negative correlation with values of carbon
(?13C). The stable isotope values provided dietary information for individual goldfinch.
Further, results showed temporal and spatial differences in diet between birds collected
from rural and urban sites. Understanding the correlation between color, body condition,
and diet can provide insight into the evolutionary context of the three traits.
Permanent link
http://hdl.handle.net/11714/690Additional Information
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