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

• 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
• ISSN: 0030-5693
• DOI: 10.2307/3676811

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.