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Courtship-feeding, Egg-size and Breeding Success in Common Terns

Nature volume 241, pages 141–142 (1973)Cite this article

Abstract

FEEDING of female birds by their mates is generally known as “courtship-feeding” because it is thought to play a role in establishing and maintaining a pair-bond1–3. Its nutritional importance to the female at the time when she is forming eggs has been pointed out4–8, but no direct evidence for this function has been given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, Massachusetts, 01773

    I. C. T. NISBET

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  1. I. C. T. NISBET
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NISBET, I. Courtship-feeding, Egg-size and Breeding Success in Common Terns. Nature 241, 141–142 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/241141a0

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