At-sea activity and diving behavior of a radio-tagged Marbled Murrelet in central California

Waterbirds
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Abstract

Radio-telemetry was used to continuously monitor the at-sea activity of an adult Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) nesting in Santa Cruz County, California. From 05.39 h on 28 May 1997, to 05.14 h on 29 May 1997, the murrelet was followed by tracking teams at Año Nuevo Bay. Between 05.44 h and 20.19 h on 28 May, the bird engaged in eleven dive bouts, with a mean duration of 18.8 ± 5.4 min. Mean dive duration was 24.8 ± 15.7 s; mean surface between dives was 15.2 ± 12.7 s. No dives were initiated after 20.19 h. The bird spent 12.3% of the at-sea period and 23.4% of daylight hours engaged in diving bouts. This relatively small amount of time spent diving allows for considerable flexibility in activity budget.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title At-sea activity and diving behavior of a radio-tagged Marbled Murrelet in central California
Series title Waterbirds
DOI 10.1675/1524-4695(2004)027[0009:AAADBO]2.0.CO;2
Volume 27
Issue 1
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher The Waterbird Society
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 4 p.
First page 9
Last page 12
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