Abrood patch, also known as anincubation patch in older literature,[1] is a patch of featherless skin on the underside ofbirds during thenesting season. Feathers act as inherent insulators and prevent efficient incubation, to which brood patches are the solution. This patch of skin is well supplied with blood vessels at the surface, enabling heat transfer to the eggs when incubating.[2][3] In most species, the feathers in the region shed automatically, butducks andgeese may pluck and use their feathers to line the nest. Feathers regrow sooner afterhatching inprecocial birds than for those that havealtricial young.[3]
Upon settling on a nest, birds will shift in a characteristic side to side manner to ensure full contact of the brood patch with eggs or young.[3]
The positions of brood patches can vary. Many have a single brood patch in the middle of the belly, while someshorebirds have one patch on each side of the belly.Gulls andGalliformes may have three brood patches.Pelicans,boobies, andgannets do not develop brood patches but cradle the eggs on their feet.[3]Brood parasiticcuckoos do not develop brood patches.[4] In species where both parents incubate, brood patches may develop in both sexes.[3]
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