Territory Size, Energetics, and Breeding Strategy in the Corvidae

• Published in: The American naturalist Vol. 128; no. 5; pp. 642 - 652
• Main Author: Shank, Christopher C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL University of Chicago Press 01-11-1986
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Bird nesting; Body size; Breeding; Corvidae; Crows; Energy requirements; Food availability; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Group size; Productivity; Ravens; Wildlife habitats; Vertebrata; Reproduction; Territory; Energy requirement; Home range; Body size; Size; Strategy; Review; Aves
• ISSN: 0003-0147; 1537-5323
• DOI: 10.1086/284594

My analyses demonstrate no relationship between mean territory size and either body size or group size in corvid species. However, when plural and singular nesters are considered separately, there are significant relationships between both territory characteristics (size and food production) and the energy requirements of the group. Breeding strategy profoundly influences the manner in which energy production in the territory is scaled to the energy requirements of the territorial group. Relative to group needs, plural nesters have significantly less food energy available in their territories than do singular nesters.