Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Science Article 8
abstract
Much previous research has focussed on the role of food supply in determining thegrowth and the survival of avian offspring. More recently, acid deposition in someecosystems has demonstrated that in addition to energy, birds also need to acquiresufficient nutrients such as calcium to be successful. Whether procurement of adequatelevels of calcium can limit reproductive success in areas that have not been impacted byacid rain remains equivocal.We tested whether calcium affected reproductive success oftree swallows Tachycineta bicolor by feeding extra calcium to nestlings during thebrood-rearing period.
Russell D. Dawson and Mark T. Bidwell, JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY 36:2 (2005)