Blood parameters as consistent predictors of nestling performance in great tits (Parus major) in the wild.
Fourteen blood profile variables were analysed in 12-day-old nestlings of great tits (Parus major) in the wild. Except for plateletocrit and platelet distribution width, the traits showed a consistent pattern of variation, with significant intra-brood repeatabilities; they were shown to be significant predictors of nestling performance as measured by survival from hatching to fledging. It is concluded that all blood characteristics that show consistent within-brood variation may be useful as indicators of some aspects of nestling condition/health status in wild birds.
Nadolski
J
J
Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łódź, Poland.
Skwarska
J
J
Kaliński
A
A
Bańbura
M
M
Sniegula
R
R
Bańbura
J
J
D000818:Animals; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008954:Models, Biological; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*