Category: Corvidae

Evidence for cryptic northern refugiaamong high- and temperate-latitude species in Beringia

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Raven (Corvus corax) Science Article 9 abstract Stewart and Dalen (2008) argue that only temperate species were locked incryptic northern refugia during Pleistocene glacial cycles, while species presently found athigh latitudes had much wider distributions during glaciations. Christin L. Pruett & Kevin Winker, Climatic Change, 2007 Download article download full text (pdf)

Proximity of raven (Corvus corax) nest modifies breeding bird community in an intensively used farmland

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Raven (Corvus corax) Science Article 1 abstract In this paper I tested the hypothesis that areas around nests of raven Corvus corax built on electricity pylons in an intensively used farmland are avoided by small birds as their nest sites. Birds were counted along 13 transects (length 1000 m, width 200 m) starting from pylons […]

Behavioural phenotypes may determine whether social context facilitates or delays novel object exploration in ravens ( Corvus corax )

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Raven (Corvus corax) Science Article 7 abstract Individuals consistently differ in behavioural phenotypes. Here we examine the interaction between behavioural phenotype and response to social context during novel object exploration in a neophobic corvid species, the raven (Corvus corax). The presence of conspecifics tends to encourage object exploration and learning but may also delay or […]

The effect of nest usurpation on breeding success of the black-billed magpie Pica pica

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Magpie (Pica pica) Science Article 4 abstract The breeding of some birds, such as raptors or owls that do not build theirown nest, is often limited by the availability of nests constructed by otherbird species. When breeding habitats substantially lack natural nest sites(e.g., cavities in trees or cli s), a strong conflict over the nest […]

Genetic, environmental and maternal effects on magpie nestling-fitness traits under different nutritional conditions: a new experimental approach

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Magpie (Pica pica) Science Article 6 abstract Rearing full siblings under different environmental conditions allows partitioning of the totalphenotypic variance of a trait into its genetic and environmental components. This, in naturalbird populations, is usually achieved by cross-fostering experimental designs. We estimatedgenetic and environmental components Liesbeth De Neve et al, Evolutionary Ecology Research, 2004, 6: […]

Reduced immunocompetence of nestlings in replacement clutches of the European magpie (Pica pica)

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Magpie (Pica pica) Science Article 1 abstract Laying date is one of the most important determinants of reproductive success and recruitment probability in birds. Late breeders usually fledge fewer chicks than individuals with earlier breeding dates, and fledglings produced late in the season have high mortality rates. Food availability and nestling mass have been evoked […]

Maternal effects on offspring Igs and egg size in relationto natural and experimentally improved food supply

Corvidae, Passeriformes

Magpie (Pica pica) Science Article 8 abstract Maternal effects have been suggested to function as a mechanism for transgenerational plasticity,in which the environment experienced by the mother is translated into the phenotype of the offspring.In birds and other oviparous vertebrates where early development is within the egg, mothersmay be able to improve the viability prospects […]