Capture and blood sampling do not affect foraging behaviour, breeding success and return rate of a large seabird: the black-browed albatross

Abstract

During the last decades, eco-physiological studies have usually relied on the collection of blood from wild organisms in order to obtain relevant physiological measures. However, accurate estimates of the impact of capture and blood collection on performances of Polar seabird species have rarely been conducted. We investigated for the first time the effects of a blood sampling process on subsequent foraging behaviour, reproductive performance and return rate of black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris) at Kerguelen Islands. We did not find any evidence that the blood sampling process as conducted in our study had detrimental effects on the breeding or foraging strategies or performance of blackbrowed albatrosses. Because blood collection can be performed in several different ways, we recommend that eco-physiologists conduct pilot studies to test whether their blood sampling process affects the performances of their study species.

Immediate effects of capture on nest visits of breeding blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, are substantial

“…Still, mild physiological consequences may have induced fatigue and reduced physical endurance, prolonging the time until the bird resumes normal behaviour. Behavioural consequences of blood sampling have rarely been inspected, but on a day-to-day basis no effects have been found (Angelier et al, 2010;Ardern et al, 1994;Frederick, 1986). Both blood sampling and implantation of PIT tags involve local skin lesions.…”

“…Duarte, 2013, chapter 2;Laiolo, Banda, Lemus, Aguirre, & Blanco, 2009), most researchers are well aware that birds perceive CHMS as a stressful event (Duarte, 2013;Fair et al, 2010), but in general regard them as being able to cope well with CHMS and recover quickly, returning to normal behaviour (Calvo & Furness, 1992). However, studies verifying this assumption by examining immediate effects of capture on behaviour are limited both in number and by the sample sizes on which they are based (Angelier, Weimerskirch, & Chastel, 2010;Ardern, McLean, & Anderson, 1994;Duarte, 2013, chapters 3, 5;Goymann & Wingfield, 2004;MacLeod & Gosler, 2006;Nisbet, 1981). Most reports on short-term behavioural changes after CHMS remain anecdotal (Calvo & Furness, 1992).…”

Effects of capture and video-recording on the behavior and breeding success of Great Tits in urban and forest habitats

“…, Angelier et al. , Dubiec ). In addition, most such previous studies were designed with other objectives so did not include experiments specifically designed to examine the possible effects of being captured on bird behavior.…”

Blood and cloacal swab sampling for avian influenza monitoring has no effect on survival rates of free‐ranging ducks

“…, Angelier et al . , Redmond & Murphy ). To our knowledge, the possible effects of cloacal swabbing on survival rates of birds have not previously been assessed despite the frequent use of this technique in AIV surveillance schemes.…”