Brood rearing ecology of king eiders on the north slope of Alaska

Wilson Journal of Ornithology
By:  and 

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Abstract

We examined King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) brood survival in the Kuparak oil field in northern Alaska in 2002 and 2003 by monitoring hens with broods using radiotelemetry. We observed complete brood loss in eight of 10 broods. Broods survived less than 2 weeks on average, and most mortality occurred within 10 days of hatch. Distance hens traveled overland did not affect brood survival. Apparent King Eider brood survival in our study area was lower than reported for eider species in other areas. We recommend future studies examine if higher densities of predators in oil fields reduces King Eider duckling survival.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Brood rearing ecology of king eiders on the north slope of Alaska
Series title Wilson Journal of Ornithology
DOI 10.1676/08-125.1
Volume 121
Issue 2
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher The Wilson Ornithological Society
Publisher location Lawrence, KS
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 5 p.
First page 430
Last page 434
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial North Slope
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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