Diurnal flight time of wintering Canada geese: consideration of refuges and flight energetics

Austin, J. E.; Humburg, D. D.

Abstract:

We monitored individual radio-equipped Canada geese (Branta canadensis) associated with a federal refuge to assess flight activities from late fall through spring. The number of flights per day was lowest in late fall when most geese remained within the refuge and highest in spring when they moved increasingly beyond the refuge area. The only significant seasonal difference in flight time occurred between late fall and late winter 1986. Over all seasons, diurnal flight time averaged 9.4 i?? 2.4 min (SE) and ranged from 0 to 33 min. Geese spent more time flying in afternoon periods during late winter 1986 and early winter 1987. Because of low goose populations on the refuge and abundant food resources in 1986-87, flight activity was probably lower than in most other years. Conservative estimates of average daily energy expenditures for flight ranged from 65 kJ/day in late fall to 200 kJ/day in early winter and were as high as 450 kJ/day. Additional energy costs for flight, when expressed as a percentage of daily energy expenditures, increased from fall (3%) to spring (10%). Highest estimates total daily energy costs (2987 kJ/day, equivalent to 178 g corn) appear to be within reasonable estimates of daily energy consumption. During periods of severe cold or limited food availability, however, additional energy demands for flight (e.g., due to disturbances or long foraging flights) may become important in the daily energy balance of individuals.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

1001361

Citation Author:

Austin, J. E.; Humburg, D. D.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Prairie Naturalist

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

p. 21-30

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

Diurnal flight time of wintering Canada geese: consideration of refuges and flight energetics; 1992; Article; Journal; Prairie Naturalist; Austin, J. E.; Humburg, D. D.

Citation Start Page:

Citation Volume:

Citation Year:

1992

Type:

citation/reference

Text:

Diurnal flight time of wintering Canada geese: consideration of refuges and flight energetics; 1992; Article; Journal; Prairie Naturalist; Austin, J. E.; Humburg, D. D.

URL (THUMBNAIL):

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg

Date Other:

Wed, 1 Jan 1992 00:00 -0600

Publisher:

USGS Policy Information Links

U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240 202-208-3100 | U.S. Geological Survey Box 25286
Denver, CO 8022

U.S. Geological Survey

Top Level USGS Links

Quick Page Navigation

USGS Publications Warehouse - Citation View

USGS Policy Information Links