Protocol to quantify bird nest morphology via image analyses using linear measurements and geometric landmarks

Abstract

Summary: Here, we present a protocol to quantify bird nest morphology via image analyses. We describe steps for collecting linear size measurements, placing geometric landmarks, and undertaking generalized Procrustes analysis to extract coordinate data. This protocol was designed to measure within- and among-individual variation in the morphology of dome nests built by captive zebra finches using coconut fiber in a laboratory environment.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Whittaker et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Keywords

• Behavior
• Evolutionary biology
• Model Organisms