Abstract
AbstractThe timing of egg laying, clutch size, and egg size of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) were studied over six consecutive breeding seasons in Virginia. Synchrony of laying dates occurred in each of five localities of the study area in at least one year. Mean clutch size was 2.8 eggs (mode = 3) in first clutches and 2.4 eggs (mode = 2) in replacement clutches. Individual females laid replacement clutches of the same size and laid eggs of similar average volume in all years. A change in mate had little effect on the date on which females initiated their first clutches in successive years. The average egg size in a clutch was correlated with the size of the laying female. Egg-size ordering occurred within clutches, the first-laid egg being smaller than the second egg and about equal in volume to the third. We propose that the second egg is largest because it has the highest probability of hatching, and the resulting sibling hierarchy reduces the frequency of sibling competition.
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