Age, habitat and tide effects on feeding activity of Emperor Geese during Autumn migration

The Condor
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Abstract

I studied feeding activity of Emperor Geese (Chen canagica) on the Alaska Peninsula during autumn migration, 1991. Scan samples were used to estimate the proportion of birds feeding in flocks as a measure of feeding intensity. Most geese fed during low tides and roosted during high tides. However, flocks with disproportionately more juveniles continued to feed during high tides in either blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) beds (during relatively low high tides) or in vegetated habitats. Feeding intensity was higher in mussel habitats than in mud/sand or vegetated habitats, and juveniles fed more than adults. Juvenile geese probably have greater nutritional needs than adults, and feeding during high tide may represent their attempt to satisfy these disproportionate demands. Vegetated habitats may be used when high value bivalve prey are unavailable due to tidal inundation.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Age, habitat and tide effects on feeding activity of Emperor Geese during Autumn migration
Series title The Condor
DOI 10.2307/1369062
Volume 96
Issue 1
Year Published 1994
Language English
Publisher Cooper Ornithological Society
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 6 p.
First page 46
Last page 51
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Alaska Peninsula
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