Study

Divergence in chick developmental patterns among wedge-tailed shearwater populations

  • Published source details McDuie F., Goulding W., Peck D.R. & Congdon B.C. (2013) Divergence in chick developmental patterns among wedge-tailed shearwater populations. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 485, 275-285.

Summary

Provide supplementary food for petrels to increase reproductive success

A replicated, controlled study in 2010 on Heron Island, Queensland, Australia (McDuie et al. 2013) found that providing supplementary food to wedge-tailed shearwater Puffinus pacificus chicks increased their growth rate and condtion. Over 41 days, supplemented chicks grew faster than non-supplemented chicks. This was true for both body mass and tarsus mass (data reported as growth rate constants). Supplemented chicks were also in better condition (heavier for a given tarsus length) than non-supplemented chicks (reported as statistical model results). Supplemented chicks received less food from their parents (42 g/meal) than non-supplemented chicks (49 g/meal), with a similar chance of feeding each night (supplemented: 54%; non-supplemented: 57%). However, supplementary feeding increased total meal mass (parental and supplementary food combined: 58 g/meal). In summer 2010, over the first six weeks after chicks hatched, 19 shearwater nests were studied. Chicks in 10 nests were provided supplementary food (energy-rich Australian pilchard Sardinops sagax neopilchardus; 32 g/day, in the morning). Chicks in nine other nests were fed only by the parents (at night). All chicks were weighed at least once/day, and always before and after each parental feeding episode. Tarsus lengths were measured every three days.

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