Geschlechtsabhängige Größenunterschiede von Flügglingen der Flussseeschwalbe (Sterna hirundo)

Abstract

We studied wing-length, head-bill-length, sternum-length and body mass of Common Tern fledgling cadavers from a colony in Wilhelmshaven on the German North Sea coast, relative to sex, which was determined by PCR. The masses after death indicated that the birds had died of starvation. The body measurements indicated post-fledging growth. The dimorphism in head-bill length, which was longer in adult males, was displayed in fledglings over 35d of age. A difference in wing length in younger fledglings - with longer female wings - disappeared in older fledglings.