Seasonal and diurnal changes in the weight and fat reserves of the greenish warbler in the western Moscow region

Abstract

Greenish warblers try to maintain their weight at the same level during the whole period that they spend in their nesting habitat. The average weight of these birds gradually increases from the morning to the afternoon and evening. Weight fluctuations follow diurnal changes in the locomotor activity. Fluctuations of the fat reserves in greenish warblers follow weight changes. When greenish warblers leave their nesting habitat, their body weight and fat reserves are lower than those they arrive with.