The aim of this study is trying to explain the diet choice of Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) with the idea of optimal diet theory. Investigating the role of prey species (Mictyris brevidactylus, Scopimera longidactyla, Uca lactea) and size (each species divided into three classes) in affecting prey choice of captived Kentish Plover from November 1997 to January 1998. Results of the laboratory study showed that profitability decreases with increasing size of three species of crabs. Scopimera longidactyla is the most profitable prey and Mictyris brevidactylus is the least of the same size classes. Scopimera longidactyla and small classes of Mictyris brevidactylus and Uca lactea were preferred (p<0.05). The prey choice of Kentish Plover consists with the optimal diet theory..
The aim of this study is trying to explain the diet choice of Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) with the idea of optimal diet theory. Investigating the role of prey species (Mictyris brevidactylus, Scopimera longidactyla, Uca lactea) and size (each species divided into three classes) in affecting prey choice of captived Kentish Plover from November 1997 to January 1998. Results of the laboratory study showed that profitability decreases with increasing size of three species of crabs. Scopimera longidactyla is the most profitable prey and Mictyris brevidactylus is the least of the same size classes. Scopimera longidactyla and small classes of Mictyris brevidactylus and Uca lactea were preferred (p<0.05). The prey choice of Kentish Plover consists with the optimal diet theory..