A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Patterns in egg size variability of island-dwelling kestrels




AuthorsCarrillo-Hidalgo, José; González-Dávila, Enrique; Martínez-Padilla, Jesús; Korpimäki, Erkki

PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication year2025

JournalJournal of Ornithology

Journal name in sourceJournal of Ornithology

ISSN2193-7192

eISSN2193-7206

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-025-02293-1

Web address https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10336-025-02293-1

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/498947465


Abstract

Island-dwelling birds may maximize their reproductive output by investing more in larger and fewer eggs than their close mainland counterparts (Lack’s predictions). Less predictable environments could lead to increased intra- and inter-clutch egg size variability (environmental predictability hypothesis, EPH). Because these predictions have only seldom been tested, especially in raptors, we analysed egg size variability of the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) inhabiting a xeric scrub on Tenerife Island (Spain) over a twelve-year period. We also examined patterns of geographical variations in egg volume within the Western Palaearctic. In Tenerife, clutches of three, four, and five eggs had a higher volume than the six-egg clutches. Although egg volume decreased throughout the breeding season, this pattern was not constant over the years. Egg volume was positively correlated with hatching success, but not so with fledging success; it was inversely associated with rainfall in the previous autumn and temperature in March. Tenerife kestrels had a smaller mean egg volume in comparison to continental counterparts. However, after controlling for the effect of female body mass, the eggs were significantly larger, which seems to support Lack’s predictions. Also, egg volume in the Western Palaearctic kestrel populations increased with latitude. Tenerife kestrels had low intra-clutch and high inter-clutch egg volume variability, supporting only the predictions on inter-clutch variability of the EPH. Breeding strategies of Tenerife kestrels seem to be adapted to unpredictable rainfall fluctuations over the years. The effects of environmental factors on life-history traits provide support for changes in breeding strategies of island-dwelling birds, highlighting a great investment per egg/offspring produced.


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Funding information in the publication
Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. No funds, grants, or other support was received.


Last updated on 2025-31-07 at 07:18