Breeding success and chick provisioning in Wilson?s storm-petrels Oceanites oceanicus over seven years: frequent failures due to food shortage and entombment

Büßer, Christina; Kahles, Anja; Quillfeldt, Petra

doi:10.1007/s00300-004-0627-z

Cited by 26 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Therefore, the observed effects of nest characteristics on the breeding output are possibly mainly through the susceptibility to snow blocking. Indeed, snow blocking of the nest has been reported in several studies as a major cause of egg and chick mortality in Wilson’s storm-petrels [43,44,53,57,58]. Similar results have been obtained in a study at the Windmill Islands, East Antarctic, where Wilson’s storm-petrel nests were limited by the snow accumulation patterns during the breeding season [47].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

“…Additionally, studies on common terns ( Sterna hirundo ) breeding in Europe, and Antarctic petrels ( Thalassoica antarctica ) have revealed that susceptibility of chicks to bad weather depends on their body condition [94,95]. Therefore, the opposing effects of weather conditions in the two study years might be explained by differences in food availability between 2017 and 2018, and between periods with certain weather conditions [43,58,96–99]. The slower chick growth in 2017 may indicate a relatively low food availability, which could have reinforced the negative response of chick growth to the low nest air temperature caused by the wind chill effects of the strong winds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nest characteristics determine nest microclimate and affect breeding output in an Antarctic seabird, the Wilson’s storm-petrel

et al. 2019

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The importance of nest characteristics for birds breeding in the extreme climate conditions of polar regions, has been greatly understudied. Nest parameters, like nest orientation, exposure and insulation, could strongly influence microclimate and protection against precipitation of the nest, thereby affecting breeding success. A burrow nesting seabird, the Wilson’s storm-petrel ( Oceanites oceanicus ) is an excellent model species to investigate the importance of nest characteristics, as it is the smallest endotherm breeding in the Antarctic. Here, we investigated the effects of nest parameters such as internal nest dimensions, nest micro-topography and thermal properties of the nest burrow and the influence of weather conditions on breeding output, measured as hatching success, chick survival, and chick growth. We collected data during the austral summers of 2017 and 2018, on King George Island, maritime Antarctica. Our results showed that the thermal microclimate of the nest burrow was significantly improved by a small entrance size, a low nest height, and insulation and tended to be enhanced by a low wind exposition index and an eastern nest site orientation. In addition, an eastern nest site orientation significantly reduced the chance of snow blocking. However, the relationships between nest characteristics and breeding output were complex and might be affected by other parameters like food availability and parental quality. The relation between chick growth and nest air temperature remained especially indistinct. Nevertheless, our results indicate that nest characteristics that enhance the thermal microclimate and reduce the risk of snow blocking favoured both hatching success and chick survival. Due to climate change in the Antarctic, snowfall is expected to increase in the future, which will likely enhance the importance of nest characteristics that determine snow blocking. Additionally, despite global warming, thermally favourable nest burrows will likely still be advantageous in the highly variable and challenging Antarctic climate.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest characteristics determine nest microclimate and affect breeding output in an Antarctic seabird, the Wilson’s storm-petrel

et al. 2019

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“…Climate and oceanographic variation are undeniably interlinked, with large-scale indices affecting oceanographic variables on regional and local scales (Barbraud et al 2012;Lee et al 2019). While changes in local climate conditions may have direct effects on species' behaviour (Tarroux et al 2016;Dehnhard et al 2021) and breeding success (Quillfeldt 2001;Büßer et al 2004;Michielsen et al 2019), the effects may also be indirect through their effect on food availability (Quillfeldt 2001;Büßer et al 2004;Lescroël et al 2014;Jenouvrier et al 2015). Birds breeding in adverse weather conditions may mitigate the negative effects on their offspring through adopting various strategies, such as chicks gaining large fat reserves (Gębczyński and Jadwiszczak 2000) or going into facultative hypothermia (Gȩbczyński 1995;Kuepper et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Birds breeding in adverse weather conditions may mitigate the negative effects on their offspring through adopting various strategies, such as chicks gaining large fat reserves (Gębczyński and Jadwiszczak 2000) or going into facultative hypothermia (Gȩbczyński 1995;Kuepper et al 2018). However, prolonged food deprivation will nevertheless lead to starvation (Büßer et al 2004;Kuepper et al 2018), negatively affecting chick growth and survival. In addition, food stress may exacerbate oceanographic effects under harsh weather circumstances (Ritz et al 2005;Krüger et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Where have all the petrels gone? Forty years (1978–2020) of Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) population dynamics at King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo, Antarctica) in a changing climate

et al. 2023

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Numerous seabird species are experiencing population declines, and this trend is expected to continue or even accelerate in the future. To understand the effects of environmental change on seabird populations, long-term studies are vital, but rare. Here, we present over four decades (1978–2020) of population dynamic and reproductive performance data of Wilson’s Storm Petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) from King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo), Antarctica. We determined temporal trends in population size, breeding output, and chick growth rates, and related interannual variation in these variables to various environmental variables. Our study revealed a decline of 90% in population size of Wilson’s Storm Petrels in two colonies, and considerable changes in breeding output and chick growth rates. Temporal changes in breeding demographics were linked to interannual environmental variation, either causing changes in food availability (particularly Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba) or in nest burrow accessibility due to snow blocking the entrance. With the expected rise in air and sea surface temperatures, the predicted increases in precipitation over the Antarctic Peninsula will likely lead to increased snowstorm prevalence. Additionally, the rising temperatures will likely reduce food availability due to reduced sea ice cover in the wintering grounds of Antarctic krill, or by changing phyto- and zooplankton community compositions. The ongoing environmental changes may thus lead to a further population decline, or at the very least will not allow the population to recover. Monitoring the population dynamics of Antarctic seabirds is vital to increase our understanding of climate change-induced changes in polar food webs.

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“…The breeding season for all species takes several months from first arrival at the colony to fledging and takes place during summer (boreal and austral in Northern and Southern hemispheres respectively), with chicks fledging in late summer (egg laying until fledging takes on average 3,5 months for all species) (Carboneras et al, 2017; Cramp et al, 1977; Wasilewski, 1986). The diets of the studied storm-petrel species consist mostly of crustaceans and myctophid fish, though the Northern species eat relatively more fish than crustaceans compared to the Southern species (Ainley, O’Connor & Boekelheide, 1984; Ainslie & Atkinson, 1936; Büßer, Kahles & Quillfeldt, 2004; Croxall & North, 1988; Croxall & Prince, 1980; D’Elbée & Hémery, 1998; Hahn et al., 1998; Hedd & Montevecchi, 2006; Quillfeldt, 2002; Ridoux, 1994; Wasilewski, 1986). Wilson’s and black-bellied storm-petrels start moulting after the breeding period (Beck & Brown, 1972) while European and Leach’s storm-petrels start moulting during the breeding period, exhibiting moult-breeding overlap (Ainley, Lewis & Morrell, 1976; Amengual et al, 1999; Arroyo et al, 2004; Bolton & Thomas, 2001).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in tail feather growth rate in storm-petrels breeding in the Northern and Southern hemisphere: a ptilochronological approach

Ausems

Wojczulanis‐Jakubas

Jakubas

2019

PeerJ

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Moulting and breeding are costly stages in the avian annual cycle and may impose trade-offs in energy allocation between both stages or in their timing. Here, we compared feather growth rates (FGR) of rectrices in adults between two pairs of small pelagic Procellariiformes species differing in moult-breeding strategies: the European storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus and Leach’s storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa breeding in the Northern Hemisphere (Faroe Islands), showing moult-breeding overlap in tail feathers; and the Wilson’s storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus and black-bellied storm-petrel Fregetta tropica, breeding in the Southern Hemisphere (South Shetlands), temporally separating moult and breeding. We used ptilochronology (i.e., feather growth bar width) to reconstruct FGR reflecting relative energy availability during moult. Based on previous research, we expected positive correlations between feather length (FL) and FGR. Additionally, we expected to find differences in FGR relative to FL between the moult-breeding strategies, where a relatively higher FGR to FL indicates a higher energy availability for moult. To investigate if energy availability during moult in the studied species is similar to species from other avian orders, we used FGR and FL found in literature (n = 164) and this study. We fitted a phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) model to FGR with FL, group (i.e., Procellariiformes vs. non-Procellariiformes) and the interaction FL * group as predictors. As it has been suggested that Procellariiformes may form two growth bars per 24 h, we fitted the same model but with doubled FGR for Procellariiformes (PGLSadj). The group term was significant in the PGLS model, but was not in the PGLSadj model, confirming this suggestion. Individually predicted FGR by the PGLSadj model based on FL, showed that the Southern species have a significantly higher FGR relative to FL compared to the Northern species. Additionally, we found no correlation between FL and FGR in the Northern species, and a positive correlation between FL and FGR in the Southern species, suggesting differences in the trade-off between feather growth and size between species from both hemispheres. The observed differences between the Northern and Southern species may be caused by different moult-breeding strategies. The Southern species may have had more energy available for moult as they are free from breeding duties during moult, while the Northern species may have had less free energy due to a trade-off in energy allocation between breeding and moulting. Our study shows how different moult-breeding strategies may affect relative nutritional condition or energy allocation during moult of migratory pelagic seabirds.

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Breeding success and chick provisioning in Wilson?s storm-petrels Oceanites oceanicus over seven years: frequent failures due to food shortage and entombment

Cited by 26 publications

References 38 publications

Nest characteristics determine nest microclimate and affect breeding output in an Antarctic seabird, the Wilson’s storm-petrel

Nest characteristics determine nest microclimate and affect breeding output in an Antarctic seabird, the Wilson’s storm-petrel

Where have all the petrels gone? Forty years (1978–2020) of Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) population dynamics at King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo, Antarctica) in a changing climate

Differences in tail feather growth rate in storm-petrels breeding in the Northern and Southern hemisphere: a ptilochronological approach

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