Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 19() 1974
A Study on the Diet of Starling Nestlings
Abstract:
A total of 260 one-hour samples of the food of Starling nestlings were gathered by the collar method. The material was derived from 16 nests during the first brood in two successive breeding seasons. The food was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Changes in the food composition connected with the environmental situation, the time of year, the size of nestlings fed, the time of day, and differences between various pairs of the same colony were demonstrated. Food given to the nestlings is properly prepared and the degree of preparation depends upon the age of nestlings. Starvation of short duration is not dangerous to nestlings as long as they remain in the nest, surrounded by other young birds, which provide them with indispensable warmth. The loss in body weight caused by starvation is soon compensated.
