Standard and Comparative Energetics of a Small Avian Herbivore (Phytotoma rara)

Abstract

Abstract We studied the standard and comparative energetics of the Rufous-tailed Plancutter (Phytotoma rara), one of the smallest avian herbivores. The Rufous-tailed Plancutter had basal metabolic rate (BMR) values that so far are the highest mass-independent values observed in avian herbivores. Probably the BMR values attained by P. rara reflect its geographic distribution in temperate environments. Using a comparative analysis, we observed that herbivorous birds from temperate geographic areas tend to have higher BMR than tropical ones.