Brood patch
Encyclopedia
A brood patch is a patch of featherless skin that is visible on the underside of bird
s during the nesting season
. This patch of skin is well supplied with blood vessels at the surface making it possible for the birds to transfer heat to their eggs when incubating. In most species the feathers in the region are shed automatically but ducks and geese may pluck the feathers and use them to line the nest. The feathers of the region regrow soon after the eggs hatch in the case of precocial
birds but may be delayed in those birds having altricial
young.
The positions of brood patches can vary with many having a single brood patch in the middle of the belly while some shorebirds have one patch on each side of the belly. Gulls and galliformes
may have three brood patches. Pelicans, boobies and gannets do not develop brood patches, but instead cradle the eggs on their feet when incubating. Brood parasitic cuckoo
s do not develop brood patches. In species where both parents incubate, brood patches may develop in both sexes.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s during the nesting season
Nesting season
The nesting season is the time of year during which birds and some other animals, particularly some reptiles, build nests, lay eggs in them, and in most cases bring up their young. It is usually in the spring....
. This patch of skin is well supplied with blood vessels at the surface making it possible for the birds to transfer heat to their eggs when incubating. In most species the feathers in the region are shed automatically but ducks and geese may pluck the feathers and use them to line the nest. The feathers of the region regrow soon after the eggs hatch in the case of precocial
Precocial
In biology, the term precocial refers to species in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. The opposite developmental strategy is called "altricial," where the young are born or hatched helpless. Extremely precocial species may be called...
birds but may be delayed in those birds having altricial
Altricial
Altricial, meaning "requiring nourishment", refers to a pattern of growth and development in organisms which are incapable of moving around on their own soon after hatching or being born...
young.
The positions of brood patches can vary with many having a single brood patch in the middle of the belly while some shorebirds have one patch on each side of the belly. Gulls and galliformes
Galliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
may have three brood patches. Pelicans, boobies and gannets do not develop brood patches, but instead cradle the eggs on their feet when incubating. Brood parasitic cuckoo
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
s do not develop brood patches. In species where both parents incubate, brood patches may develop in both sexes.