Experimental evidence for the relationship between food supply, parental effort and chick survival in the lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus
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Published source details
Bukacinski D., Bukacinska M. & Spaans A.L. (1998) Experimental evidence for the relationship between food supply, parental effort and chick survival in the lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus. Ibis, 140, 422-430.
Published source details Bukacinski D., Bukacinska M. & Spaans A.L. (1998) Experimental evidence for the relationship between food supply, parental effort and chick survival in the lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus. Ibis, 140, 422-430.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Provide supplementary food for gulls, terns and skuas to increase reproductive success Action Link |
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Provide supplementary food for gulls, terns and skuas to increase reproductive success
A randomised, replicated and controlled study at a mixed gull colony on the island of Terschelling, the Netherlands, in April-July 1992 (Bukacinski et al. 1998) found that pairs of lesser black-backed gulls Larus fuscus whose chicks were provided with supplementary food until fledging had significantly higher fledging success than control pairs (1.9 fledglings/nest and 87% of nests fledging at least one chick for 12 fed nests vs. 0.9 fledglings/nest and 56% success for 14 control nests). Fledging success of pairs whose chicks were fed until seven days old was intermediate (1.3 fledglings/nest and 67% success, 12 nests). In addition, significantly fewer chicks were predated in fed nests (0.5 chicks/nest for fully fed nests; 0.8 chicks/nest for partially fed and 1.3 chicks/nest for control nests). There were no significant differences in clutch size, egg size or hatching success between groups. Food was provided at an average of 46 g/day increasing to 76 g/day after a week and 150 g after three weeks, continuing until approximately 40 days old.
Output references
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