Available now - Wilson Ornithological Society

WOS 2010 ~ ABSTRACTS p. 34
P25 S Comparing female characteristics to egg & yolk size in the Chilean Swallow (Tachycineta meyeni). Mitch
Walters, Marcela Liljesthrom, and Caren Cooper, Dept. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell Univ., Ithaca ,
NY 14850, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas, CADICONICET, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina,
and Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14850
Variation in female and environmental characteristics can lead to variation in egg composition for a variety of bird
species. We investigated the relationship between female attributes and egg/yolk size in Chilean Swallows
(Tachycineta meyeni) breeding in Ushuaia, Argentina. We examined whether egg/yolk size varied with female
attributes, varied with egg-laying sequence, and/or showed any seasonal trends. We carried out our investigations
using egg measurements collected in the field as well as egg and yolk measurements extracted from digital
photographs taken in the field with a standardized egg candler, the ovolux. If egg dimensions extracted from
photographs were comparable to field measures, then the ovolux could reduce egg handling and breakage in the
field. Based photo-derived data, both egg and yolk dimensions decreased as the season progressed, though we could
not detect these changes based on field measurements. The nature of the correspondence between field values and
digital image values suggest some refinements to the ovolux methods may be needed.
P26 S Bacteria and fungi in the plumage of birds of prey. Jordan S. Kalish and Edward H. Burtt, Jr., Dept. Zoology,
Ohio Wesleyan Univ., Delaware, OH 43015
Studies of bacteria and fungi in the plumage of birds have focused on songbirds. We report the first data on hawks
and owls. Microbial samples were collected from 18 raptors of six species living at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center,
Saugerties, NY. Each bird was sampled with five types of media. All were incubated for 48 hours, after which the
spore-forming rods, including Bacillus subtilis and B. lichenifomis, non-spore forming rods, cocci and fungi were
counted. Over 60 colonies of B. licheniformis occurred on five plates from two of the four species of owls and two
Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). Owls had more spore-forming rods and more total bacterial colonies per bird
than the Red-tailed Hawks or the single Broad-winged (B. platypterus) Hawk. Eastern Screech Owls (Otus asio)
averaged 441.5 more spore-forming rod colonies than Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus), 691.7 more than
Barred Owls (Strix varia), 1508.0 more than Long Eared Owls (Asio otus). Male and female hawks and owls had
similar numbers of plumage microorganisms. The longer a raptor was in captivity the more bacteria were in its
plumage. Over 40 months the number of colonies in the plumage increased about four and a half times. While these
are the first data on raptors, all birds were living in captivity. To understand the plumage ecosystem of raptors we
will need to capture and sample wild raptors. Such samples will not only tell us about the plumage ecosystem, but
may also provide insights into the effect of captivity on the system.
P27 S Seasonal changes in maintenance behavior of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Aubrey Alamshah and
Edward H. Burtt, Jr., Dept. Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan Univ., Delaware, OH 43015
The percentage of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), and with feather-degrading bacilli is significantly greater in
the winter than the spring and summer (Burtt and Ichida, 1999). One possible explanation is that the sparrows
engage in less maintenance behavior in winter than in summer. There are several reasons why this might be: higher
energy demands, which would necessitate more time foraging; shorter days; colder temperatures and lower humidity
so that feather-degrading microorganisms are a lower risk to the plumage than in warm, humid weather (Burtt and
Ichida 2004). However, seasonal changes in the maintenance behavior of passerines is a largely unstudied subject.
House Sparrows bath, dust bath, head scratch, bill wipe, sun, and preen (Summers-Smith 1963, Anderson 2006). We
observed changes in the form and frequency of the behavior in House Sparrows held in an outdoor aviary. We
caught twelve House Sparrows in Ashley, Ohio. We banded each bird with an aluminum band and a unique
combination of color bands, measured the weight and wing length, examined condition of their feathers, and
sampled their plumage for microorganisms. The birds were then released into an outdoor aviary, 8m x 4.5m x 2.5m.
We observed the birds for 2-3 hours/week, noting the occurrence of maintenance behavior in each individual, its
sequential organization, and bout length. The study is still in progress, but we will compare changes in maintenance
behavior and time allotted to such behavior throughout the seasons. Seasonal differences in the behavior may
explain seasonal variation in the plumage microbiota of the House Sparrow.
P28 S The fox in the henhouse: responses of chickens (Gallus domesticus) to the scent of a predator. Andrew C.
Alba and Gregory B. Cunningham, Dept. Biology, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY 14618
Domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus) are often used as a model species in testing bird olfaction. Previous studies
have indicated that domestic chicks can discriminate between various odors, are attracted to familiar odors, and use
olfactory cues during food selection. Additionally, studies have indicated that olfaction plays an important role in
predator recognition in a variety of songbirds. It has yet to be demonstrated, however, whether chickens can detect
predators using olfactory cues. To address this, we tested 1-2 day old naïve chicks with undiluted fox urine and
found that they were able to detect this scent. This could potentially signify that an innate fear response is present in
domestic chicks and is initiated upon exposure to a predator’s scent. Furthermore, given the intensity with which