Diets of northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) chicks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean

Northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) have recently expanded their breeding range in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. We studied their diet in their largest colony in the northwest Atlantic on Funk Island, eastern Canada, by collecting dietary samples from chicks during 1999 and 2000. Fish, primarily c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar biology 2004-04, Vol.27 (5), p.277-280
Main Authors: GARTHE, Stefan, MONTEVECCHI, William A, OJOWSKI, Ute, STENHOUSE, Iain J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal populations
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Areal geology. Maps
Autoecology
Aves
Biogeography
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fulmarus glacialis
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geologic maps, cartography
Gonatus fabricii
Mallotus villosus
Marine
Marine biology
Predation
Vertebrata
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Summary:Northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) have recently expanded their breeding range in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. We studied their diet in their largest colony in the northwest Atlantic on Funk Island, eastern Canada, by collecting dietary samples from chicks during 1999 and 2000. Fish, primarily capelin (Mallotus villosus), and offal from commercial fisheries were the most common foods in the diets of fulmar chicks. Crustaceans were also common prey fed to the chicks. Squids (Gonatus fabricii) were an important food in 2000. Chick diets varied considerably between the 2 years of the study. The diets of northern fulmar chicks on Funk Island were opportunistic and similar to those of chicks at other colonies in the eastern and northern North Atlantic Ocean. Compared to other regions in the North Atlantic Ocean, the diet of birds on Funk Island seems to be most similar to those from Iceland, and least resemble those from Shetland. Long-term studies of the feeding ecology on northern fulmars may be helpful in discerning factors influencing changes in the species' distribution and abundance.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0722-4060
1432-2056
DOI:10.1007/s00300-003-0586-9