Energy Balance and Optimal Foraging Strategies in Shorebirds: Some Implications for Their Distributions and Movements in the Non-Breeding Season

Evans, P. R.

doi:10.5253/arde.v64.p117

Cited by 76 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Energy intake can compensate for the energy expended in thermogenesis, essential for survival (Evans, 1976;Reinecke et al, 1982;Hegemann et al, 2012). We found that the body mass of Chinese Bulbuls was highest in spring and winter and that this was paralleled by changes in GEI and DEI (Table 1; Figures 1 and 2).…”

Section: Effect Of Seasonal Acclimatization On Energy Intake and Digementioning

confidence: 75%

Seasonal variation in body mass and energy budget in Chinese bulbuls (pycnonotus sinensis)

Xiao

Yang

et al. 2014

Avian Res

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Background: Seasonal adjustments in body mass and energy budget are important for the survival of small birds in temperate zones. Seasonal changes in body mass, body temperature, gross energy intake (GEI), digestible energy intake (DEI), body fat content, as well as length and mass of the digestive tract, were measured in Chinese Bulbuls (Pycnonotus sinensis) caught in the wild at Wenzhou, China. Methods: Body mass was determined with a Sartorius balance. The caloric contents of the dried food and feces were then determined using a oxygen bomb calorimeter. Total fat was extracted from the dried carcasses by ether extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus. The digestive tract of each bird was measured and weighed, and was then dried to a constant mass. Results: Body mass showed a significant seasonal variation and was higher in spring and winter than in summer and autumn. Body fat was higher in winter than in other seasons. GEI and DEI were significantly higher in winter. The length and mass of the digestive tract were greatest in winter and the magnitude of both these parameters was positively correlated with body mass, GEI and DEI. Small passerines typically have higher daily energy expenditure in winter, necessitating increased food consumption. Conclusions: This general observation is consistent with the observed winter increase in gut volume and body mass in Chinese Bulbuls. These results suggest that Chinese Bulbuls adjust to winter conditions by increasing their body mass, body fat, GEI, DEI and digestive tract size.

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Section: Effect Of Seasonal Acclimatization On Energy Intake and Digementioning

confidence: 75%

Seasonal variation in body mass and energy budget in Chinese bulbuls (pycnonotus sinensis)

Xiao

Yang

et al. 2014

Avian Res

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“…Intertidal systems are characterized by their elevation and their inundation time (Evans, 2002), which influence the biomass and species richness of suitable prey (Beukema, 1976; Waser et al., 2016; Yates et al., 1993). Prey depletion close to the breeding colony may be counteracted by a habitat switch (Schwemmer & Garthe, 2008) or a change in the diet (Goss‐Custard et al., 2006; O'Connor & Brown, 1977; Zwarts & Wanink, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Enners¹,

Schwemmer²,

Corman³

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) are opportunistic predators that prefer to forage in the intertidal zone, but an increasing degree of terrestrial foraging has recently been observed. We therefore aimed to analyze the factors influencing foraging behavior and diet composition in the German Wadden Sea. Gulls from three breeding colonies on islands at different distances from the mainland were equipped with GPS data loggers during the incubation seasons in 2012–2015. Logger data were analyzed for 37 individuals, including 1,115 foraging trips. Herring gulls breeding on the island furthest from the mainland had shorter trips (mean total distance = 12.3 km; mean maximum distance = 4.2 km) and preferred to feed on the tidal flats close to the colony, mainly feeding on common cockles (Cerastoderma edule) and shore crabs (Carcinus maenas). In contrast, herring gulls breeding close to the mainland carried out trips with a mean total distance of 26.7 km (mean maximum distance = 9.2 km). These gulls fed on the neobiotic razor clams (Ensis leei) in the intertidal zone, and a larger proportion of time was spent in distant terrestrial habitats on the mainland, feeding on earthworms. δ 13C and δ 15N values were higher at the colony furthest from the mainland and confirmed a geographical gradient in foraging strategy. Analyses of logger data, pellets, and stable isotopes revealed that herring gulls preferred to forage in intertidal habitats close to the breeding colony, but shifted to terrestrial habitats on the mainland as the tide rose and during the daytime. Reduced prey availability in the vicinity of the breeding colony might force herring gulls to switch to feed on razor clams in the intertidal zone or to use distant terrestrial habitats. Herring gulls may thus act as an indicator for the state of the intertidal system close to their breeding colony.

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“…Pese a la falta de información, aparentemente las áreas del brazo norte presentan un sedimento más compacto, producto de la menor profundidad y de los largos periodos de desecación, factor que afecta la penetrabilidad del pico de las aves y aumentan el gasto energético para conseguir alimento (Evans 1976, Mouritsen & Jensen 1992. Adicionalmente se ha observado que en estas zonas hay un predominio de sedimentos arenosos (Álvarez et al 2002), el cual es un hábitat físicamente riguroso, lo que puede estar ocasionando poca abundancia de invertebrados y presas disponibles (Barnes 1997) y una zona de salitrales amplia, donde aparentemente las salinidades altas impiden el asentamiento de comunidades bentónicas diversas (Verschuren et al 2000), como las existentes en el brazo sur.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Distribución espacial y temporal de aves playeras (Orden: Charadriiformes) en Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, México

Mendoza

Carmona

2013

RBT

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Temporal and spatial distribution of shorebirds (Charadriiformes) at San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Baja California Peninsula has several wetlands that represent important ecosystems for shorebirds. San Ignacio Lagoon is one of these sites, and supports 10% of the total abundance of shorebirds reported in this Peninsula. Since there is few information about this group in this area, we studied spatial and temporal changes in abundance and distribution of shorebirds in San Ignacio Lagoon. For this, we conducted twelve monthly censuses (October 2007-September 2008 on the entire internal perimeter of the lagoon, which we divided into four areas: two at the North and two at the South. We observed a seasonal pattern, with the lowest abundance in May (1 585 birds) and the highest in October (47 410). The most abundant species were Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa; 55% of the total records), Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri; 23%), and Willet (Tringa semipalmata; 10%). All three species were more abundant in autumn; for both, the Marbled Godwit and Willet, we observed their highest numbers in winter and spring, while the Western Sandpiper showed noticeable oscillations, reaching a maximum in early winter (December). In summer, Marbled Godwit and Willet were the only birds present but in lower numbers. Here present the first records of the Pacific Red Knot (Calidris canutus roselaari) in the area. Bird abundance and species richness were influenced seasonally by migration and spatially by sites in the lagoon. The greatest shorebird abundance was in the South area of the lagoon, probably because of better accessibility to food. Our results allowed the inclusion of San Ignacio Lagoon in the Western Hemisphere Shorebirds Reserve Network (WHSRN) as a site of international importance. Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (1): 229-241. Epub 2013 March 01.

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Energy Balance and Optimal Foraging Strategies in Shorebirds: Some Implications for Their Distributions and Movements in the Non-Breeding Season

Cited by 76 publications

References 14 publications

Seasonal variation in body mass and energy budget in Chinese bulbuls (pycnonotus sinensis)

Seasonal variation in body mass and energy budget in Chinese bulbuls (pycnonotus sinensis)

Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Distribución espacial y temporal de aves playeras (Orden: Charadriiformes) en Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, México

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