Are birds K or R?

K selected organisms produce few offspring but invest a lot of energy in them, and examples would include whales, primates (which includes humans), elephants, and some birds, like arctic terns. This is opposed to r selected species, which produce a lot of offspring but tend to invest relatively little energy in them.

Which offspring of birds can be considered altricial?

Altricial chicks are born with closed eyes, naked, patches of down feathers, and unable to move away from the nest. Altricial birds include passerine birds, hummingbirds, swallows, woodpeckers, among others.

Are woodpeckers K selected species?

The particular species of woodpecker is an r selected species.

Are Robins precocial?

They do have fewer eggs than precocial birds but they offer the young better protection in the nest. Altricial species include: robins, bluebirds, sparrows, wrens, blue jays, eagles and warblers. Altricial birds somewhat mimic mammals in offering “doting” care to their growing offspring.

What is r-selected and K selected species?

r-selected babies grow rapidly, and tend to be found in less competitive, low quality environments. K-selected species produce offspring that each have a higher probability of survival to maturity.

How are r-selected and K selected species different?

The r selected species live in populations that are highly variable. The fittest individuals in these environments have many offspring and reproduce early. K selected species tend to have fewer offspring, so their populations cannot recover as fast from a disturbance such as over hunting or fire.

Are plovers precocial?

All nidifugous birds are precocial, but some nidicolous birds are precocial, too-they remain in the nest even though capable of locomotion….

Are all passerines altricial?

Altricial birds include herons, hawks, woodpeckers, owls, cuckoos and most passerines.

Are birds K selected species?

K-selected species are characterized by long gestation periods lasting several months, slow maturation (and thus extended parental care), and long life spans. Examples of K-selected species include birds, larger mammals (such as elephants, horses, and primates), and larger plants.

Are woodpeckers passerines?

Woodpeckers do not have such a wide range of songs and calls as do passerine birds, and the sounds they make tend to be simpler in structure. Calls produced include brief high-pitched notes, trills, rattles, twittering, whistling, chattering, nasal churrs, screams and wails.

Are geese precocial?

Geese are precocial which means they are born with their eyes open, down covered and able to move about freely. Altricial birds like robins are born helpless and need parental support.

Are birds r selected species?

Wilson; r-selected species—that is, species whose populations are governed by their biotic potential (maximum reproductive capacity)—make up the second strategy. Examples of K-selected species include birds, larger mammals (such as elephants, horses, and primates), and larger plants.

What is precocial and altricial development in birds?

Precocial versus Altricial Development. The development of birds can be classified into one of two main types: precocial and altricial. Precocial birds, like chickens, ducks and owls, hatch out with a warm covering of down feathers. A precocial chick can keep its body reasonably warm in the absence of heat from an incubating parent.

What is the difference between precocial and altricial chicks?

Birds have two types of chicks: those that remain in the nest and depend entirely on their parents (altricial) or those that leave the nest within 1-2 days after hatching (precocial). What is a precocial and an altricial chick? All bird chicks are altricial or precocial or something in between.

What are some examples of precocial birds?

Precocial birds include ducks, shorebirds, coots and allies, quails, and tinamous, among others. Birds of prey, owls, and some seabirds are an exception; they are altricial but hatch with a well-developed down cover. Altricial birds (left) remain in the nest and are largely naked at hatching.

Which birds are K-selected for self-feeding?

Precocial (self-feeding) birds that are K-selected include: most Charadriiformes, such as plovers, sandpipers and thick-knees many Gruiformes, such as cranes and bustards