Local Movements of Color-Marked Common Loons

Piper, Walter H.; Paruk, James D.; Evers, David C.; Meyer, Michael W.; Tischler, Keren B.; Klich, Margaret; Hartigan, Jerry J.

doi:10.2307/3802124

Cited by 36 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Even now that the long-time myth of loons pairing for life has been shattered by the discovery that territorial switching occurs commonly (Evers et al 1996*) and that male loons kill others to usurp their territories (Walcott 2010), loon traditions can continue, and are perhaps enhanced, when more than two loons use a lake over several years, as is now known to occur regularly (Piper et al 1997).…”

Section: Ph Thresholds For Loon Breeding Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Loons may live 25-30 years or longer (Nilsson 1977;McIntyre 1988) and tend to return to the same lakes year after year, especially after raising chicks (Piper et al 1997). Consider the following scenario: a loon pair breeding successfully on Lake 26, when fish are starting to die in the 1950s, finds that the lake has insufficient food for the chicks.…”

Section: Ph Thresholds For Loon Breeding Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Common Loon, Gavia immer, Breeding Success in Relation to Lake pH and Lake Size Over 25 Years

Alvo¹

2009

Can Field Nat

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Alvo, Robert. 2009. Common Loon, Gavia immer, breeding success in relation to lake pH and lake size over 25 years.Canadian Field-Naturalist 123(2): 146-156.I monitored Common Loon (Gavia immer) breeding success in relation to lake pH (range 4.0-8.5) between 1982 and 2007 on 38 single-pair lakes (5-88 ha) in the Sudbury, Ontario, area. No chicks fledged on lakes with pH < 4.4. Chicks fledged on lakes with slightly higher pH only if the lakes were relatively large. Acidic lakes became less acidic as sulphur dioxide emissions from the Sudbury smelters and sulphur deposition from other long-range sources decreased. Two lakes initially too acidic to support successful loon reproduction eventually had successful reproduction. One loon pair used two large acidic lakes (combined area 140 ha) connected by shallow rapids, and one of the adults made extremely long dives (χ -= 99 s) while foraging for the chicks. One chick died on that lake after apparently ingesting a very large food item; the lack of smaller items was attributed to the lake's acidity. My results suggest that a shortage of food for chicks is the main reason why low pH reduces breeding success. I suggest that, for lakes without high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), the critical pH for loon breeding success is approximately 4.3, and the suboptimal pH is approximately 4.4-6.0.

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Section: Ph Thresholds For Loon Breeding Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ph Thresholds For Loon Breeding Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

Common Loon, Gavia immer, Breeding Success in Relation to Lake pH and Lake Size Over 25 Years

Alvo¹

2009

Can Field Nat

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“…Adult blood and egg Hg levels reflect dietary Hg exposure of breeding loons on lakes >25 ha. Territorial pairs occupying lakes <25 ha generally maintain and feed on more than one lake (i.e., multi-lake territories) (Piper et al, 1997). Because adult common loons with multi-lake territories rarely bring food items back to their natal lake to feed their young, blood Hg levels of juvenile loons best represent MeHg availability on their natal lake.…”

Section: Recommended Bioindicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns and Interpretation of Mercury Exposure in Freshwater Avian Communities in Northeastern North America

et al. 2005

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Abstract. A large data set of over 4,700 records of avian mercury (Hg) levels in northeastern North America was compiled and evaluated. As Hg emissions remain poorly regulated in the United States and Canada, atmospheric deposition patterns and associated ecological responses continue to elicit interest by landscape managers, conservation biologists, policy makers, and the general public. How avian Hg exposure is interpreted greatly influences decision-making practices. The geographic extent and size of this data set is valuable in understanding the factors that affect the exposure of Hg to birds. Featured are differences found among tissues, major aquatic habitats and geographic areas, between age class and gender, and among species. While Hg concentrations in egg and blood reflect short-term Hg exposure, Hg concentrations in liver and feather provide insight into long-term Hg exposure. Blood is a particularly important matrix for relating site-specific exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). The level of MeHg is generally 5-10x greater in adults compared to nestlings. Age also influences MeHg bioaccumulation, particularly for individuals where MeHg intake exceeds elimination. Gender is of interpretive concern when evaluating Hg exposure for species exhibiting sexual dimorphism and niche partitioning. Based on two indicator species, the belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), we found MeHg availability increased from marine, to estuarine and riverine systems, and was greatest in lake habitats. A large sample of >1,800 blood and egg Hg levels from the common loon (Gavia immer) facilitated a suitable comparison of geographic differences. Although some clusters of highly elevated Hg exposure (i.e., blood levels >3.0 lg/g, ww and egg levels >1.3 lg/g, ww) were associated with hydrological and biogeochemical factors known to increase MeHg production and availability, others were not. Geographic areas without a relationship between Hg exposure and biogeochemical processes were associated with emission or waterborne point sources. Differences in Hg exposure among species are primarily correlated with trophic position and availability of MeHg. Although piscivorous species were repeatedly *To whom correspondence should be addressed: Tel.: 207-839-7600; Fax: 207-839-7655; E-mail: david.evers@briloon.org Ecotoxicology, 14, 193-221, 2005 Ó 2005 shown to have some of the highest MeHg levels of the 38 species analyzed, insectivorous birds in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (such as montane areas) were also found with elevated MeHg levels. A better understanding of the factors confounding interpretation of Hg exposure provides an effective basis for choice of indicator species and tissues according to 12 selected scenarios. This and the national need for spatiotemporal monitoring of MeHg availability require careful consideration of indicator species choice. Only then will local, regional, continental, and even global monitoring efforts be effective.

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“…Turnover is higher on larger lakes with multiple loon territories (Evers 2001) which suggests there is more pressure there from conspecifics to defend and maintain territories. Although territorial disputes are often between or among neighboring loons, floaters or non-breeders are often involved in territorial skirmishes (Piper et al 1997;Paruk 1999b;Evers 2001;Paruk 2006). In addition, it has been found that large lakes (>5 loon territories) generally contain many non-breeders or floaters (Evers 2001;Taylor and Vogel 2003*) and that some of these individuals eventually obtain a territory on these larger lakes (Piper et al 1997;Paruk 1999a;Evers 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although territorial disputes are often between or among neighboring loons, floaters or non-breeders are often involved in territorial skirmishes (Piper et al 1997;Paruk 1999b;Evers 2001;Paruk 2006). In addition, it has been found that large lakes (>5 loon territories) generally contain many non-breeders or floaters (Evers 2001;Taylor and Vogel 2003*) and that some of these individuals eventually obtain a territory on these larger lakes (Piper et al 1997;Paruk 1999a;Evers 2001). Further evidence to support this overall pattern is that agonistic behaviors were observed only on larger lakes with multiple loon pairs nesting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nocturnal Behavior of the Common Loon, Gavia immer

Paruk

2008

Can Field Nat

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Very little is known about nocturnal activity of Common Loons (Gavia immer). Knowledge of both diurnal and nocturnal behavior is needed to gain a complete understanding of their ecology. I used night vision light intensifiers to observe nocturnal behaviors of Common Loons. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that, as visual predators, loons would not forage at night and also that they would spend the majority of their time resting (92%). Loons, however, were just as active locomoting (patrolling) during the night as they were during the day. This suggests daily energy budgets need to be reexamined to incorporate this overlooked aspect of loon behavior. Lastly, loons on large lakes with multiple loon territories spent more time locomoting than loons on lakes that had just a single pair.

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Local Movements of Color-Marked Common Loons

Cited by 36 publications

References 11 publications

Common Loon, <em>Gavia immer</em>, Breeding Success in Relation to Lake pH and Lake Size Over 25 Years

Common Loon, <em>Gavia immer</em>, Breeding Success in Relation to Lake pH and Lake Size Over 25 Years

Patterns and Interpretation of Mercury Exposure in Freshwater Avian Communities in Northeastern North America

Nocturnal Behavior of the Common Loon, <em>Gavia immer</em>

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