Great Bitterns bred successfully in ricefields in northern Italy, despite a marked delay to the breeding season compared to natural wetlands in the same geographical area. Great Bitterns show a phenotypic plastic response to environmental change and to variation in peak resource availability. The breeding season of bitterns nesting in Italian ricefields is delayed compared to those breeding in natural wetlands. Our data suggest that Great Bitterns can successfully reproduce in ricefields. The delayed breeding season of birds nesting in ricefields compared to those nesting in natural wetlands of the same geographical area did not seem to affect the reproductive parameters. Indeed, breeding in ricefields occurs at a time when this habitat offers both abundant feeding resources.
Delayed reproduction among Great Bitterns Botaurus stellaris breeding in ricefields
LONGONI, VIOLETTA;BOGLIANI, GIUSEPPE
2007-01-01
Abstract
Great Bitterns bred successfully in ricefields in northern Italy, despite a marked delay to the breeding season compared to natural wetlands in the same geographical area. Great Bitterns show a phenotypic plastic response to environmental change and to variation in peak resource availability. The breeding season of bitterns nesting in Italian ricefields is delayed compared to those breeding in natural wetlands. Our data suggest that Great Bitterns can successfully reproduce in ricefields. The delayed breeding season of birds nesting in ricefields compared to those nesting in natural wetlands of the same geographical area did not seem to affect the reproductive parameters. Indeed, breeding in ricefields occurs at a time when this habitat offers both abundant feeding resources.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
