Phenology, diet, and water turnover rates of Negev desert chukars.

A late winter rise in Alectoris chukar sinaica water turnover rate corresponded to the abundance of herbaceous seedlings on sample plots and to increased intake of green forage. Water turnover rates in 1981-82 were significantly lower than in a previous winter of greater rainfall and of more advanced and extensive development of herbaceous vegetation. The bird's food was largely a function of forage availability. Their diet and body conditions are closely linked to meteorological and phenological events which exhibit strong temperal variations.-from Authors