In order to increase body mass during the 4–6 weeks before their departure from the Banc d'Arguin in spring, some waders, such as Dunlin, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, increased the total time they spent feeding. They fed more at night and fed throughout neap tides and at high temperatures, circumstances in which feeding activity was depressed in winter. In other species, however, such as the Little Stint, feeding time did not increase during the premigration period. In winter, feeding time and body mass in the 14 wader species studied were negatively associated, but this trend disappeared during the premigration period. Nocturnal feeding was particularly important in the smaller waders, but the larger waders also began to feed at night later in the season. It is suggested that only when pressed for time, waders will feed at times when the yield from feeding is low.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 January 1990
Increase of Feeding Time in Waders Preparing for Spring Migration from the Banc D'Arguin, Mauritania
Leo Zwarts,
Anne-Marie Blomert,
Roelof Hupkes
J.M. Baker
1981. Winter feeding rates of Redshank Tringa totanus and Turnstone Arenaria interpres on a rocky shore. Ibis 123: 85–87. Google Scholar
D.M. Bryant
&
K.R. Westerterp
1980. Energetics of foraging and free existence in birds. In: Proc. XVII Int. Ornithol. Congr. (Berlin): 292–299. Verlag DOG, Berlin. Google Scholar
W.A. Calder III
1974. Consequences of body size for avian energetics. In: R.A. Paynter
(ed.) Avian energetics: 86–151. Nuttall Ornithological Club, Cambridge, Mass. Google Scholar
W.A. Calder III
1984. Size, function and life history. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. Google Scholar
S. Cramp
& K.E.L. Simmons
(eds.) 1983. The birds of the western Palearctic, Vol. III. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Google Scholar
S. Daan
&
S. Slopsema
1978. Short-term rhythms in foraging behaviour of the Common Vole, Microtus arvalis. J. comp. Physiol. 127: 215–227. Google Scholar
P. Dann
1987. The feeding behaviour and ecology of shorebirds. In: B.A. Lane
(ed.) Shorebirds in Australia: 10–20. Nelson, Melbourne. Google Scholar
R. Drent
&
T. Piersma
1990. An exploration of the energetics of leap-frog migration in arctic breeding waders. In: E. Gwinner
(ed.) Bird migration: the physiology and ecophysiology: 399–412. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. Google Scholar
P.J. Dugan
1984. The importance of nocturnal foraging in shorebirds: a consequence of increased invertebrate prey activity. In: N.V. Jones
& W.J. Wolff
(eds.) Feeding and survival strategies of estuarine organisms: 251–260. Plenum Press, New York. Google Scholar
A.J. van Dijk
,
F.E. de Roder
,
E.C.L. Marteijn &
H. Spiekman
1990. Summering waders on the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania: a census in June 1988. Ardea 78: 145–156. Google Scholar
M. Engelmoer
,
T. Piersma,
W. Altenburg &
R. Mes
1984. The Banc d'Arguin (Mauritania). In: P.R. Evans
, J.D. Goss-Custard
& W.G. Hale
(eds.) Coastal waders and wildfowl in winter: 293–310. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Google Scholar
B.J. Ens
,
P. Duiven
,
C.J. Smit &
T.M. van Spanje
1990. Spring migration of Turnstones from the Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania. Ardea 78: 301–314 Google Scholar
B.J. Ens
,
P. Esselink &
L. Zwarts
1990. Kleptoparasitism as a problem of prey choice: a study on mudflat-feeding Curlews, Numenius arquata.
Anim. Behav. 39: 219–230. Google Scholar
A. Evans
1987. Relative availability of the prey of wading birds by day and by night. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 37: 103–107. Google Scholar
A.F.C. Gerritsen
&
A. Meijboom
1986. The role of touch in prey density estimation by Calidris alba.
Neth. J. Zool. 36: 530–562. Google Scholar
J. Gibb
1954. Feeding ecology of tits, with notes on Treecreeper and Goldcrest. Ibis 96: 514–543. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
1969. The winter feeding ecology of the Redshank Tringa totanus. Ibis 111: 338–356. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
1970. Responses of Redshank (Tringa totanus L.) to spatial variations in the density of their prey. J. Anim. Ecol. 39: 91–113. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
1977. Predator responses and prey mortality in Redshank, Tringa totanus (L.) and a preferred prey, Corophium volutator (Pallas). J. Anim. Ecol. 46: 21–35. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
,
R.A. Jenyon,
R.E. Jones
,
P.E. Newberry &
R. le B. Williams
1977. The ecology of the Wash. II. Seasonal variation in the feeding conditions of wading birds (Charadrii). J. appl. Ecol. 14: 701–719. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
&
S.E.A. Le V. dit Durell
1984. Feeding ecology, winter mortality and the population dynamics of Oystercatchers on the Exe estuary. In: P.R. Evans
, J.D. Goss-Custard
& W.G. Hale
(eds.) Coastal waders and wildfowl in winter: 190–208. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
,
R.T. Clarke &
S.E.A. Le V. dit Durell
1984. Rates of food intake and aggression of Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the most and least preferred mussel Mytilus edulis beds of the Exe estuary. J. Anim. Ecol. 53: 233–245. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
&
S.E.A. Le V. dit Durell
1987a. Agerelated effects in Oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, feeding on mussels, Mytilus edulis. I. Foraging efficiency and interference. J. Anim.Ecol. 56: 521–536. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
&
S.E.A. Le V. dit Durell
1987b. Age-related effects in Oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus,
feeding on mussels, Mytilus edulis. III. The effect of interference on overall intake rate. J. Anim. Ecol. 56: 549–558. Google Scholar
J.D. Goss-Custard
&
S.E.A. Le V. dit Durell
1988. The effect of dominance and feeding method on the intake rates of Oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, feeding on mussels. J. Anim. Ecol. 57:827–844. Google Scholar
P.B. Heppleston
1971. The feeding ecology of Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus L.) in winter in northern Scotland. J. Anim. Ecol. 40: 651–672. Google Scholar
J.B. Hulscher
1976. Localisation of Cockles (Cardium edule L.) by the Oystercatcher
(Haematopus ostralegus L.) in darkness and daylight. Ardea 64: 292–310. Google Scholar
J.B. Hulscher
1982. The Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus as a predator of the bivalve Macoma balthica in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Ardea 70: 89–152. Google Scholar
M. Kersten
1989. Dunlin. In: B.J. Ens
, T. Piersma
, W.J. Wolff
& L. Zwarts
, (eds.) Report of the Dutch-Mauritanian project Banc d'Arguin 1985–1986: 300–314. WIWO-report 25/RIN-report 89/6, Texel. Google Scholar
M. Kersten
&
T. Piersma
1987. High levels of energy expenditure in shorebirds; metabolic adaptations to an energetically expensive way of life. Ardea 75: 175–187. Google Scholar
M. Klaassen
,
M. Kersten &
B.J. Ens
1990. Energetic requirements for maintenance and premigratory body mass gain of waders wintering in Africa. Ardea 78: 209–220. Google Scholar
G.R. Martin
1985. Eye. In: A.S. King
& J. McLelland
(eds.) Form and function in birds. Vol. III: 311–373. Academic Press, London. Google Scholar
T.H. Pearson
1968. The feeding biology of sea-bird species breeding on the Fame islands, Northumberland. J. Anim. Ecol. 37: 521–552. Google Scholar
M.W. Pienkowski
1977. Differences in habitat requirements and distribution patterns of plovers and sandpipers as investigated by studies of feeding behaviour. Verb. orn. Ges. Bayern 23: 105–124. Google Scholar
M.W. Pienkowski
1982. Diet and energy intake of Grey and Ringed Plover, Pluvialis squatarola and Charadrius hiaticula, in the non-breeding season. J. Zool., Lond. 197: 511–549. Google Scholar
M.W. Pienkowski
1983. Surface activity of some intertidal invertebrates to temperature and the foraging behaviour of their shorebird predators. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 11: 141–150. Google Scholar
T. Piersma
&
N.E. van Brederode
1990. The estimation of fat reserves in coastal waders before their departure from northwest Africa in spring. Ardea: 78: 221–236. Google Scholar
T. Piersma
&
J. Jukema
1990. Budgeting the flight of a long-distance migrant: changes in nutrient reserve levels of Bar-tailed Godwits at successive spring staging sites. Ardea: 78: 315–337. Google Scholar
T. Piersma
,
M. Klaassen
, J.H. Bruggemann
, A-M. Blomert
, A. Gueye
,
Y. Ntiamoa-Baidu
& N.E. van Brederode
1990. Seasonal timing of the spring departure of waders from the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania. Ardea: 78: 123–134. Google Scholar
G.M. Puttick
1979. Foraging behaviour and activity budgets of Curlew Sandpipers. Ardea 67: 111–122. Google Scholar
G.M. Puttick
1980. Energy budgets of Curlew Sandpipers at Langebaan Lagoon, South Africa. Estuar. Coast. Mar. Sci. 11: 207–215. Google Scholar
G.M. Puttick
1984. Foraging and activity pattern in wintering shorebirds. Behavior Marine Animals 6: 203–231. Google Scholar
M. Robert
&
R. McNeil
1989. Comparative day and night feeding strategies of shorebird species in a tropical environment. Ibis 113: 69–79. Google Scholar
M. Robert
&
R. McNeil &
A. Leduc
1989. Conditions and significance of night feeding in shorebirds and other water birds in a tropical lagoon. Auk 106: 94–101. Google Scholar
Summers R.W
. &
M. Waltner
1978. Seasonal variations in the mass of waders in southern Africa, with special reference to migration. Ostrich 50: 21–37. Google Scholar
W.J. Sutherland
1982a. Do Oystercatchers select the most profitable Cockles? Anim. Behav. 30: 857–861. Google Scholar
W.J. Sutherland
1982b. Spatial variation in the predation of Cockles by Oystercatchers at Traeth Melynog, Anglesey. II. The pattern of mortality. J. Anim. Ecol. 51: 491–500. Google Scholar
W.J. Sutherland
&
D. Moss
1985. The inactivity of animals: influence of stochasticity and prey size. Behaviour 92: 1–8. Google Scholar
C. Swennen
1990. Oystercatchers feeding on Giant Bloody Cockles on the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania. Ardea 78: 53–62. Google Scholar
C. Swennen
,
M.F. Leopold &
L.L.M. de Bruijn
1989. Time-stressed Oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, can increase their intake rate. Anim. Behav. 38: 8–22. Google Scholar
D.J. Townshend
1981. The importance of field feeding to the survival of wintering male and female Cur-lews Numenius arquata on the Tees estuary. In: N.V. Jones
& W.J. Wolff
(eds.) Feeding and survival strategies of estuarine organisms: 261–273. Plenum Press, New York. Google Scholar
W. J.M. Vader
1964. A preliminary investigation into the reactions of the infauna of the tidal fluctuations in water level. Neth. J. Sea. Res. 2: 189–222. Google Scholar
W.J. Wolff
&
C.J. Smit
1990. The Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, as an environment for coastal birds. Ardea 78: 17–38. Google Scholar
A.G. Wood
1983. Grey Plover time budgets. A hard day's night. Wader Study Group Bull. 39: 51. Google Scholar
A.G. Wood
1986. Diurnal and nocturnal territoriality in the Grey Plover at Teesmouth, as revealed by radio telemetry. J. Field Ornith. 57: 213–221. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
1990. Increased prey availability drives pre-migration hyperphagia in Whimbrels and allows them to leave the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, in time. Ardea 78: 279–300. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
&
R.H. Drent
1981. Prey depletion and the regulation of predator density: Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) feeding on Mussels (Mytilus edulis). In: N.V. Jones
& W.J. Wolff
(eds.) Feeding and survival strategies of estuarine organisms: 193–216. Plenum Press, New York. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
&
J. Wanink
1984. How Oystercatchers and Curlews successively deplete clams. In: P.R. Evans
, J.D. Goss-Custard
& W.G. Hale
(eds.) Coastal waders and wildfowl in winter: 69–83. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
&
P. Esselink
1989. Versatility of male Curlews Numenius arquata preying upon Nereis diversicolor, deploying constrasting capture modes dependent on prey availability. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 56: 255–269. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
&
A–M. Blomert
1990. Selectivity of Whimbrel feeding on Fiddler Crabs explained by component specific digestibilities. Ardea 78: 193–208. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
,
A–M. Blomert
, B.J. Ens
,
R. Hupkes
& T.M. van Spanje
1990a. Why do waders reach high feeding densities on the intertidal flats of the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania? Ardea 78: 39–52. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
&
S. Dirksen
1990. Digestive bottleneck limits the increase in food intake of Whimbrels preparing their departure from the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, in spring. Ardea 78: 257–278. Google Scholar
L. Zwarts
,
B.J. Ens
,
M. Kersten
& T. Piersma
1990b. Moult, mass and flight range of waders ready to take off for long-distance migrations. Ardea 78: 339–364. Google Scholar