Incubation behaviour in waders
PURPOSE
Many shorebird (or wader) species are polygamous and only a single parent incubate the eggs and care for offspring. Here we will collect data on incubation behaviour in such polygamous wader species The study will explore the variation in incubation behaviour in uniparental incubators, both between and within species. Several other researchers are involved in this project outside Norway to increase the number of species and sampling localities. We will focus on how all these birds cope with varying extrinsic conditions (e.g. climate, latitude) while securing optimal conditions for the developing embryos and see if biological factors (e.g. mating system, sex of incubating bird, body condition) could explain some of the variation in behaviour.
DISTRESS
We will monitor incubation rhythm by using non-invasive temperature probes inserted into the nest cup of dotterels (normally male only incubation), Temminck’s stints (both sexes incubate, but only one per clutch) and ruffs (female only incubation). All birds in our study will be trapped and ringed with colour rings for subsequent identification and blood samples will be taken to allow certain (molecular) sex identification. All our methods are well tested in other species. Based on this, the planned experimentation is likely to have only minor impact on the birds’ welfare.
EXPECTED BENEFIT
The study will likely provide data which will yield novel insight into basic animal behaviour, and avian biology.
NUMBER AND KIND OF ANIMALS
We aim to acquire data on uniparental incubation behaviour in up to 54 Eurasian dotterels (Charadrius morinellus; data from six birds are already available), 60 Temminck's stints (Calidris temminckii) and 30 ruffs (Calidris pugnax).
ADHERING TO 3R
Replacement: The details of natural incubation behaviour is largely unknown in the three species and documenting natural behaviours is the purpose of this study. Such behaviours cannot be simulated or studied in other ways than using live animals.
Reduction: From previous experience in other studies of incubation behaviour we find 60 birds of each species a suitable sample size in order to account for sex and latitude (Northern Norway vs. Southern Norway; or S Finland in another study of ruffs).
Refinement: Using electronic temperature loggers reduce the disturbance of nesting birds to a minimum compared with direct observations of incubation behaviour. Moreover, we will make sure to keep a high standard of hygiene when taking blood samples to reduce the risk of infections in sampled birds. We have considered the possibility of plucking a few feathers for DNA sampling instead of taking blood samples. We have decided to not use this method since it is less reliable than taking blood samples. The numbers of rings and flags used to mark birds individually will be kept at a minimum to reduce the risk that rings will impact birds. The combinations of used codes will be coordinated internationally to ensure that they do not overlap with other similar projects.
Many shorebird (or wader) species are polygamous and only a single parent incubate the eggs and care for offspring. Here we will collect data on incubation behaviour in such polygamous wader species The study will explore the variation in incubation behaviour in uniparental incubators, both between and within species. Several other researchers are involved in this project outside Norway to increase the number of species and sampling localities. We will focus on how all these birds cope with varying extrinsic conditions (e.g. climate, latitude) while securing optimal conditions for the developing embryos and see if biological factors (e.g. mating system, sex of incubating bird, body condition) could explain some of the variation in behaviour.
DISTRESS
We will monitor incubation rhythm by using non-invasive temperature probes inserted into the nest cup of dotterels (normally male only incubation), Temminck’s stints (both sexes incubate, but only one per clutch) and ruffs (female only incubation). All birds in our study will be trapped and ringed with colour rings for subsequent identification and blood samples will be taken to allow certain (molecular) sex identification. All our methods are well tested in other species. Based on this, the planned experimentation is likely to have only minor impact on the birds’ welfare.
EXPECTED BENEFIT
The study will likely provide data which will yield novel insight into basic animal behaviour, and avian biology.
NUMBER AND KIND OF ANIMALS
We aim to acquire data on uniparental incubation behaviour in up to 54 Eurasian dotterels (Charadrius morinellus; data from six birds are already available), 60 Temminck's stints (Calidris temminckii) and 30 ruffs (Calidris pugnax).
ADHERING TO 3R
Replacement: The details of natural incubation behaviour is largely unknown in the three species and documenting natural behaviours is the purpose of this study. Such behaviours cannot be simulated or studied in other ways than using live animals.
Reduction: From previous experience in other studies of incubation behaviour we find 60 birds of each species a suitable sample size in order to account for sex and latitude (Northern Norway vs. Southern Norway; or S Finland in another study of ruffs).
Refinement: Using electronic temperature loggers reduce the disturbance of nesting birds to a minimum compared with direct observations of incubation behaviour. Moreover, we will make sure to keep a high standard of hygiene when taking blood samples to reduce the risk of infections in sampled birds. We have considered the possibility of plucking a few feathers for DNA sampling instead of taking blood samples. We have decided to not use this method since it is less reliable than taking blood samples. The numbers of rings and flags used to mark birds individually will be kept at a minimum to reduce the risk that rings will impact birds. The combinations of used codes will be coordinated internationally to ensure that they do not overlap with other similar projects.