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An evaluation of condition indices for birds

Journal of Wildlife Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

A Lipid Index, the ratio of fat to fat-free dry weight, is proposed as a measure of fat stores in birds. The estimation of the index from field measurements of live birds is illustrated with data on the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) and greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). Of the various methods of assessing fat stores, lipid extraction is the most accurate but also the most involved. Water extraction is a simpler laboratory method that provides a good index to fat and can be calibrated to serve as an estimator. Body weight itself is often inadequate as a condition index, but scaling by morphological measurements can markedly improve its value.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title An evaluation of condition indices for birds
Series title Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume 49
Issue 3
Year Published 1985
Language English
Contributing office(s) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Description 7 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Wildlife Management
First page 569
Last page 575
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