Effects of Hatching Behavior on Offspring Quality in Two Species Passerines

Data were collected from small skylarks (Alauda gulgula) and twits (Acanthis flavirostris) during the reproduction seasons of 1998-1999 in alpine meadow in order to test and confirm their reproductive patterns.The results were showed:1)In the small skylarks,the level of hatching asynchrony was low (1 d);a egg mass did not consistently vary with the laying order,but the last-laid egg mass was maximal;the hatch order had a significant positive impact on the nestling growth rate (P<0.01) and had little impact on the fledged mass and nestling period of young (P>0.05).2)In the twits,the level of hatching asynchrony was higher asynchronously (2-3 d);the egg mass increased significantly with the laying order (P<0.05);the hatch order had little impact on the growth,fledged mass and nestling period (P>0.05).The results analysis suggests that the small skylarks and twits in alpine meadow select both hatching asynchrony and brood enlarge strategy as the breeding patterns.