Year: 1984
Type: article
Abstract: The number (X + SE) of pellets cast per evening at this roost was estimated at 5.2 + 0.8 pellets/m2 for an estimated total of 62,400 pellets.Although the number of these pellets per plot ranged from O-l 1, probably varying with the bird density within the site, the rate of deposition did not vary significantly (F = 0.40, P = 0.67) among the three nights.Ten randomly selected pellets were fragmented and their composition by volume estimated by a random plot method (Dolbeer et al., Wilson Bull.90:3 l-44, 1978) to include 90% hulls, chaff, and other vegetable residue (primarily corn), 5% rock, 4% insect exoskeletons, and 1% bone and shell.Pellet casting has been well summarized for raptors by Duke et al. (Comp.Biochem.Physiol.53A: 1-6, 1976) and has been reported for several other species including: Northwestern Crows (Corvus cuurinus) (Butler, Can.Field-Nat.88:3 13-3 16, 1974) and Killdeer (Charudrius vociferu) (DeVlaming, Wilson Bull.79:449-450, 1967).Additionally, Warham (Emu 57:78-81, 1957) collected pellets cast by Splendid Blue Wrens (Mulurus spfendens) from beneath their roosting site.However, to the best of my knowledge, this is the first reported observation and quantification of pellets cast by Common Grackles.-
Author: Tacha, Thomas C.
Institution: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Language: English
Topic: Avian ecology and behavior
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2514647843