| Abstract: | Coastal wetlands that are diked and managed may supplement declining natural habitat for migrating shorebirds (Charadriiformes). However, data on shorebird diet in these diked wetlands are scarce. We examined shorebird diet and prey size selection in brackish diked wetlands at the Yawkey Center on South Island, South Carolina, USA. Gut contents of seven Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) and seven Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus) were examined. The most common items in gut contents were mandibles of the nereid polychaete, Laeonereis culveri, followed by insects. L. culveri eaten by Short-billed Dowitchers were significantly larger than those eaten by Lesser Yellowlegs. This difference may be related to differences in bill length and feeding tactics. We make suggestions on how to maintain high numbers of L. culveri in diked wetlands, but more research on the timing of colonization by invertebrates is needed in shorebird conservation efforts. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 1015794 |
| Citation Author: | Weber, Louise M.; Haig, Susan M. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 366 |
| Citation Issue: | 3 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Field Ornithology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 9 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | p. 358-366 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Shorebird diet and size selection of nereid polychaetes in South Carolina coastal diked wetlands; 1997; Article; Journal; Journal of Field Ornithology; Weber, Louise M.; Haig, Susan M. |
| Citation Start Page: | 358 |
| Citation Volume: | 68 |
| Citation Year: | 1997 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Shorebird diet and size selection of nereid polychaetes in South Carolina coastal diked wetlands; 1997; Article; Journal; Journal of Field Ornithology; Weber, Louise M.; Haig, Susan M. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 1997 00:00 -0600 |
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