Intraclutch hatch synchronization in the lesser snow goose

Abstract

We tested the synchronization ability of embryos in lesser snow goose clutches by observing the fate of eggs added to a clutch after incubation had begun. Data were collected experimentally by adding freshly laid eggs to nests of known incubation stage and by monitoring naturally occurring intraspecific nest parasitism events. The data suggest that eggs added to lesser snow goose nests can synchronize with the rest of the clutch and three explanations are presented.