Nest construction by a ground-nesting bird represents a potential trade-off between egg crypticity and thermoregulation.

Oecologia
Paul M MayerMark R Ryan

Abstract

Predation selects against conspicuous colors in bird eggs and nests, while thermoregulatory constraints select for nest-building behavior that regulates incubation temperatures. We present results that suggest a trade-off between nest crypticity and thermoregulation of eggs based on selection of nest materials by piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), a ground-nesting bird that constructs simple, pebble-lined nests highly vulnerable to predators and exposed to temperature extremes. Piping plovers selected pebbles that were whiter and appeared closer in color to eggs than randomly available pebbles, suggesting a crypsis function. However, nests that were more contrasting in color to surrounding substrates were at greater risk of predation, suggesting an alternate strategy driving selection of white rocks. Near-infrared reflectance of nest pebbles was higher than randomly available pebbles, indicating a direct physical mechanism for heat control through pebble selection. Artificial nests constructed of randomly available pebbles heated more quickly and conferred heat to model eggs, causing eggs to heat more rapidly than in nests constructed from piping plover nest pebbles. Thermal models and field data indicated that temperatures i...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 18, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Caragh B Heenan, Roger S Seymour
Sep 13, 2016·Scientific Reports·Mary Caswell StoddardClemens Küpper
Dec 17, 2014·Ecology and Evolution·Mark C MainwaringD Charles Deeming
Nov 30, 2016·Ecology and Evolution·Jolyon TrosciankoMartin Stevens
Oct 16, 2019·Scientific Reports·Hadass R JesselIdo Bachelet
Mar 20, 2019·Scientific Reports·Hadass R JesselIdo Bachelet
Jul 28, 2020·Journal of Thermal Biology·Alicia K AndesSusan N Ellis-Felege
Jun 21, 2021·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·H Arthur WoodsJohn S Terblanche

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