One method does not suit all: variable settlement responses of three procellariid species to vocalisation playbacks

Published source details Buxton R.T., Jones C.J., Moller H. & Lyver P.O. (2015) One method does not suit all: variable settlement responses of three procellariid species to vocalisation playbacks. Emu, 115, 126-136.
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Summary

Use vocalisations to attract birds to safe areas

A replicated, controlled study in 2012–2014 on multiple islands near North Island, New Zealand (Buxton et al. 2015) found that grey-faced petrels Pterodroma gouldi and fluttering shearwaters Puffinus gavia were significantly attracted to new breeding areas by broadcasting vocalizations, while flesh-footed shearwaters Puffinus carneipes were not. Grey-faced petrels four times more frequent when conspecific calls were played (6.8 birds seen in plots/15 min) compared to when no calls were played (1.6 birds/15 min).Three times more grey-faced petrels flew over the area when fluttering shearwater calls were played compared to when no calls were played (reported as statistical model results). Fluttering shearwaters were 4.8–19.0 times more frequent when conspecific calls were played near medium and high density colonies (medium density with calls: 0.2 birds/15 min; no calls: 0.01 birds/15 min; high density with calls: 0.9 birds/15 min; no calls: 0.01 birds/15 min), but conspecifc calls had no significant effect near low density colonies (low density with calls: 0.01 birds/15min; no calls: 0.01 birds/15 min). For all three species, the pattern of results was similar for calls as a response metric (see original paper). Vocalizations were played at two to three plots on each of five islands and one mainland peninsula in the vicinity of low, medium and high petrel density. An observer recorded petrels seen or heard calling.