Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Body Size, Nest Predation, And Reproductive Patterns In Brown Thrashers And Other Mimids, Michael T. Murphy, Robert C. Fleischer
Body Size, Nest Predation, And Reproductive Patterns In Brown Thrashers And Other Mimids, Michael T. Murphy, Robert C. Fleischer
Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations
We describe the breeding biology of Brown Thrashers (Toxostoma rufum) in Kansas, and combine this with data from other temperate-zone breeding Mimidae to characterize reproductive patterns in this group. Brown Thrashers produced clutches of 3 to 6 eggs, but clutches of 4 predominated. Most pairs raised 2 broods per year. Incubation required between 13 and 14 days, and hatching was usually asynchronous. Though sample size was small, asynchrony appeared to increase in frequency towards the end of the breeding season. Nestlings grew rapidly, and in 10 days or less most pre-fledgingg rowthw as completed. Young fledgedn ormallya t 11 days …