Activity Patterns of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus in Relation to the Lunar Cycle

This paper reports a study which examined whether the diel activity pattern of lapwings varies cyclically in relation to moonphase during the non-breeding season (July to February). The main aim of the study was to test the model proposed by Spencer (1953) that Lapwings feed by day and roost at nigh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ornis Scandinavica 1990-06, Vol.21 (2), p.147-156
Main Authors: Milsom, T. P., Rochard, J. B. A., Poole, S. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural seasons
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Civil aviation
Cloud cover
Correlations
Flocks
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Natural satellites
Photoperiod
Rain
Twilight
Vertebrata
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Summary:This paper reports a study which examined whether the diel activity pattern of lapwings varies cyclically in relation to moonphase during the non-breeding season (July to February). The main aim of the study was to test the model proposed by Spencer (1953) that Lapwings feed by day and roost at night during most of the lunar month, except for a few days around full moon, when the pattern is reversed. A lunar rhythm of the type proposed by Spencer was detected during winter but not in summer, while the evidence for its existence in autumn was equivocal. In winter, the lunar rhythm was interrupted by low temperature, dense cloud or heavy rain at night, which suggests that the behaviour is opportunist and not endogenous. The nature and adaptive significance of the link between the daily activity pattern of Lapwings and the lunar cycle are discussed.
ISSN:0030-5693
DOI:10.2307/3676811