The aim of this study was to clarify social foraging, habitat use and choice of cohabitating Ciconiiformes on Virginia's Eastern Shore. In a 2006 study I used two approaches, a manipulative experiment and an observational study. At Chincoteague (37˚ 56'N, 75˚ 25'W), I manipulated prey density and social cues using plastic decoys to address the relative importance of social features versus prey density. I also recorded feeding durations of birds at the different treatments. The observational portion also occurred at Chincoteague at six sites along a causeway from the mainland marshes east to Assateague Island. A second area was Hog Island (37˚ 27'N, 75˚ 40'W), a barrier island about 50 km south of Chincoteague. At both areas, I observed wading bird foraging in different habitats and recorded feeding efficiency, flock size and species use, and attempted to answer the following questions: how were species distributed across habitat types, how did feeding efficiency vary among species and habitat types, and how did tide and season affect habitat use, flocking and feeding efficiency? Multi-way ANOVAs were performed to analyze feeding efficiency data and 2 analyses of goodness-of-fit and association were performed on the flock and species use data. Species' use of habitats differed significantly at both locations, with generalists being more widespread than specialists. Ponds and impoundments were selected for foraging most often by most species. Generalist species tended to have lower feeding efficiencies while species specialized for particular habitats had higher average efficiencies at those locations. Overall, generalists tended to be more widespread but have low efficiency, but specialists had high efficiencies in fewer habitat types. Tidal and seasonal effects were less than habitat and species differences, presumably because of the high caloric demands on birds
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.