Abstract
Although outdated opinions about poor avian olfaction have largely disappeared in recent decades, there has been inadequate attention paid to olfaction of other organisms that interact with birds and their nests. In particular, olfaction is likely more important than vision for many biting arthropods and for many reptilian, mammalian, and likely even some bird predators of nests (e.g. some procellariiforms, piciforms, and corvids), but crypsis (or attractiveness) of nest odors has largely been ignored in the literature. Given the pivotal importance of nest success to a bird's fitness, there has likely been strong selection to conceal inadvertent cues to nest locations, including odors. Here, I summarize what is known about this, and discuss a few important topics I deem worthy of deeper investigation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.