The Behavioral Ecology of Breeding American Coots in Relation to Age

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Abstract
Time-activity budgets were determined for breeding male and female american coots (Fulica americana) of 3 age-classes. Time apportioned to foraging and courtship decreased with age, while time spent in defending territory and feeding young increased with age. It is hypothesized that differences in time spent foraging, defending the territory and feeding young are the result of older coots occupying better-quality territories. Such a hypothesis is consistent with the generally assumed wide variability in spatial distribution of energy resources in marsh ecosystems. Such variability seems to be a primary proximate and ultimate factor affecting the reproductive success of american coots.