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Book Cover
E-book
Author Grubb, Thomas C.

Title Ptilochronology : feather time and the biology of birds / Thomas C. Grubb, Jr
Published Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2006

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Description 1 online resource (x, 176 pages) : illustrations (some color)
Series Oxford ornithology series ; 15
Oxford ornithology series ; 15.
Contents Introduction -- Can reduced nutritional condition really cause narrowed growth bars? -- Does any factor other than nutritional condition control feather growth? -- Habitat quality -- Nutritional consequences of self-cached food -- Social behavior -- Individual quality -- Reproductive effort -- Nestling condition -- Prolonged brood-care -- Taking stock and looking ahead
Summary "This is the first book to summarize the methods, conceptual issues and results of studies using the interpretation of feather growth rates as an index of nutritional condition in birds. The author has coined the term ptilochronology (literally, 'the study of feather time') to describe this technique, which relies on the fact that as a feather grows it produces visible growth bars"--Jacket
This is the first book to summarize the methods, conceptual issues and results of studies using the interpretation of feather growth rates as an index to nutritional condition in birds. The author has coined the term ptilochronology (literally. 'the study of feather time') to describe this technique, which relies on the fat that as a feather grows it produces visible growth bars. Both the technique and its conceptual foundations have been applied worldwide to numerous studies of avian evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. the author reviews this work, chronicles the various criticisms that have been amde, and describes how these have influenced the development of ptilochronology. He goes on to suggest experimental methodologies and analytical techniques to safeguard against invalid results. a final chapter summarises this new technique's contribution to avian biology, and suggests potential applications and a future research agenda. an appendix details specific measurements and describes the methodology associated with ptilochronology. Ptilochronology provides a practical resource as well as a conceptual understanding of how this technique can be used to address important questions in avian biology. It will be of relevance and use to professional avian biologists and ornithologists as well as to graduate students of avian behavioural ecology, evolution and conservation
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 165-174) and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Ptilochronology.
Feathers -- Growth.
Birds -- Nutrition
SCIENCE -- Life Sciences -- Zoology -- Ornithology.
NATURE -- Birdwatching Guides.
NATURE -- Animals -- Birds.
Birds -- Nutrition
Feathers -- Growth
Ptilochronology
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781429471121
1429471123
9780191516269
0191516260
9780199295500
0199295506
9786610870233
6610870233
Other Titles Feather time and the biology of birds