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Grit Use by Birds

A Review

  • Chapter
Current Ornithology

Part of the book series: Current Ornithology ((CUOR,volume 15))

Abstract

The importance of grit in avian digestion has been recognized for at least two centuries (Spallanzani, 1783 [cited in Westerskov, 1965]). Grit is in the gizzards of most birds that eat plant parts (Meinertzhagen, 1964; Farner, 1960) and of many that eat invertebrates (Mayoh and Zach, 1986; Barrentine, 1980; Peterson and Ellarson, 1977; Jenkinson and Mengel, 1970; Barlow et al., 1963). Many studies have shown that, among avian species that use grit, most individuals have grit in their gizzards (Table I).

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  1. James P. Gionfriddo

    Present address: , 34950 North U.S. Highway 287, 80536-8926, Livermore, Colorado, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, Indiana, USA

    James P. Gionfriddo

  2. Department of Animal Ecology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011, USA

    Louis B. Best

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  1. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

    Val Nolan Jr.  & Ellen D. Ketterson  & 

  2. Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA

    Charles F. Thompson

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Gionfriddo, J.P., Best, L.B. (1999). Grit Use by Birds. In: Nolan, V., Ketterson, E.D., Thompson, C.F. (eds) Current Ornithology. Current Ornithology, vol 15. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4901-4_3

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