White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Science Article 10
abstract
Relationships between the parental quality and reproductive performance have been studied in many birds, but not in Ciconiiformes so far. We hypothesised that parental condition of White Storks Ciconia ciconia affects both parental care and breeding success. To examine our hypothesis we assessed body mass of White Stork parents and their offspring and recorded breeding performance and parental activity in Hungary during 1992-97. Sex-related differences in parental care were found: females incubated longer than males, males compensated for reduced incubation by females, males delivered more food than females. Condition-related differences in parental effort were found, with heavier females laying more eggs and incubating longer than lighter females. Heavy males and females delivered more food to their offspring than light males and females.
Sasvari L. & Hegyi Z., ARDEA 89 (2): 281-291.