Poor nutritional condition as a consequence of high dominance status in the Coal Tit Parus ater

Abstract

The costs and benefits of dominance status have been investigated in the past and it has generally been reported that subdominant birds are at a nutritional disadvantage owing to their low dominance status. The nutritional condition of birds during winter can be important in determining their likelihood of survival. This is particularly so in small passerines that are sensitive to severe weather conditions. Ptilochronology is an accurate method used to produce a long‐term estimate of body condition spanning the number of days that it takes to grow a new feather. Ptilochronology was used during this study to estimate the nutritional condition of Coal Tits Parus ater during one winter and how condition was affected by dominance status. Dominant Coal Tits produced poorer quality feathers, which they grew at a slower rate, than did subdominant conspecifics. This study highlights a nutritional cost to high dominance status that could have long‐term consequences because the induced tail feathers will not be replaced for at least 5 months.