> A new study has found that socially dominant birds are generally
> leaner than their subordinate peers of the same species, probably
> because they can eat when they want and don't face as great a risk of
> starvation.
>
> Dominant birds stay lean during the day and then pack on the fat just
> when they need it most - before a chilly winter night. Staying lean
> helps birds stay more maneuverable during attacks by predators. Lean
> birds also have more time during the day to watch for predators,
> rather than spending the bulk of their time looking for food.


Hmm. I'm not convinced that his explanation is correct. An alternative
explanation is that dominant birds expend more energy during the day keeping
their dominant position. They may look for food in the evening because they
haven't spent enough time looking for it during the day.

I am reminded of dominant male deer who spend so much time defending their
herd of does during the rutting season that their risk of starving during
the winter may be greater than that of male deer who don't have a herd to
depend. Of course, the genes that get passed on are those of the male deer
willing to starve for sex.

Kelly Cassidy
Seattle