Energy intake rate influences survival of Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani broods

Journal of Seabird Science and Conservation
By: , and 

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Abstract

Black Oystercatchers Haematopus bachmani, a species of conservation concern, depend on marine intertidal prey resources. We examined diet, feeding rates, growth, and survival of Black Oystercatcher broods in southcentral Alaska, 2013-2014. To determine the importance of diet on brood survival, we modeled daily survival rates of broods as a function of energy intake rate and other ecological factors. We hypothesized that broods fed at higher energy intake rates would grow faster and fly earlier, thereby being less vulnerable to predators and having higher rates of survival. Consistent with our prediction, broods with higher energy intake rates had higher rates of growth and daily survival. The best-supported model indicated that brood survival varied by energy intake rate and brood age. To understand how adults meet the increasing nutritional needs of developing chicks, we examined delivery rates and prey type and size as a function of brood age. Delivery rates differed by age, but composition and size classes of prey items did not, indicating that adults respond to the rising energetic needs of broods by increasing parental effort rather than switching prey. These findings demonstrate the importance of diet and provisioning to broods and given the consequences of reduced energy intake on survival, indicate that shifts in intertidal invertebrates as a result of climate change could have significant impacts on Black Oystercatcher populations.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Energy intake rate influences survival of Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani broods
Series title Journal of Seabird Science and Conservation
Volume 47
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher Marine Ornithology
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 7 p.
First page 277
Last page 283
Country United States
State Alaska
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