Age-dependent changes in biometrics indicate senescence in the European Blackbird Turdus merula. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piliczewski, Piotr; Jankowiak, Łukasz; Wysocki, Dariusz
• Is Part Of: Bird study. Volume 65:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 219
• Page End: 224
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Birds -- Ecology -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Birds -- Conservation -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Birds -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Birds -- Conservation -- Periodicals; Birds -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Birds -- Geographical distribution -- Periodicals; Birds -- Counting -- Periodicals; 598.170941
• DOI: 10.1080/00063657.2018.1451821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3657

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Capsule: A 19-year study of European Blackbirds Turdus merula confirms that senescence is associated with a decrease in condition measured by wing length but bills become progressively longer with age. Aims: To explore the correlations between biometrics of Blackbirds and age, to identify possible links with senescence. Methods: During the 19 years of the study, 801 birds of known age were measured: 431 males and 370 females, aged from 2 to 10 years. Among these 91 males and 50 females were retrapped at least one moult later. For each bird, there were at least one set of measurements when fully grown. Results: Wing length increased until the sixth year of life after which it started to decrease. An increase in bill length throughout the lifetime was found in both sexes. Conclusion: Changes in wing length correspond with an earlier study of this population suggesting the onset of senescence after the fifth to sixth calendar year of life.