Reproductive Efficiency of McConnell River Small Canada Geese

MacInnes, Charles D.; Davis, Rolph A.; Jones, Rene N.; Lieff, Bernard C.; Pakulak, Allan J.

doi:10.2307/3800036

Cited by 70 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…Clutches were slightly larger than reported for B. h. hutchinsii in Canada (4.3 eggs; MacInnes et al 1974), and similar to clutch sizes of B. h. taverneri in Alaska (4.5 -4.6 eggs on Colville River Alaska, 4.6 eggs on Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and 5.9 on the Seward Peninsula; Mowbray et al 2002). Early nesting birds laid more eggs than birds nesting later, which led to a seasonal decline in clutch size (F 1,16 = 6.60, P = 0.02; Figure 4).…”

Section: Clutch Sizementioning

confidence: 54%

“…Despite this wide breeding distribution, there have been no published investigations of the nesting ecology of Canada Geese in interior regions of northern Canada or Alaska (Bellrose 1976;Mowbray et al 2002). Until this study, information on the reproductive attributes of B. c. parvipes has largely been inferred from studies in northern Canada of coastal-nesting B. h. hutchinsii (MacInnes 1962;MacInnes et al 1974;Carriere et al 1999). An increased understanding of the breeding biology of Canada Geese nesting in interior areas of Alaska and northwestern Canada will extend our appreciation of the diversity and adaptability of this ubiquitous goose and eventually lead to population management that can account for factors influencing reproductive performance.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Nesting Biology of Lesser Canada Geese, <em>Branta canadensis parvipes</em>, along the Tanana River, Alaska

2008

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Lesser Canada Geese (Branta canadensis parvipes) are widespread throughout interior regions of Alaska and Canada, yet there have been no published studies documenting basic aspects of their nesting biology. We conducted a study to determine reproductive parameters of Lesser Canada Geese nesting along the Tanana River near the city of Fairbanks, in interior Alaska. Fieldwork was conducted in May of 2003, and consisted of locating nests along the riparian corridor between Fairbanks and Northpole, Alaska. Nests were found on gravel islands and shore habitats along the Tanana River, and were most commonly observed among driftwood logs associated with patches of alder (Alnus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.). Peak of nest initiation was 3-8 May, with a range from 27 April to 20 May; renesting was likely. Clutches ranged in size from 2 to 7 eggs and averaged 4.6 eggs. There was a negative correlation between clutch size and date of nest initiation. Egg size (mean mass = 128 g) was similar to other medium-sized Canada Geese. A positive correlation between egg size and clutch size was likely related to female age. Nineteen of 28 nests (68%) were active when visited; nests located on islands with nesting Mew Gulls (Larus canus) were more likely to be active than nests located elsewhere. Evidence at nest sites implicated Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as nest predators.

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Section: Clutch Sizementioning

confidence: 54%

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confidence: 99%

Nesting Biology of Lesser Canada Geese, <em>Branta canadensis parvipes</em>, along the Tanana River, Alaska

2008

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“…Large anatids have proportionately and absolutely greater metabolic reserves after egg laying than small anatids (Ankney 1984). Species with large endogenous reserves, such as geese and eiders, incubate with few recesses for feeding (MacInnes et al 1974;Milne 1976;Cooper 1978;Ankney 1977;Aldrich and Raveling 1983). However, predation pressure and ability to defend nests from predators may alter this general pattern (Thompson and Raveling 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Body mass dynamics of wood ducks during incubation: individual variation

Harvey¹,

Hepp²,

Kennamer³

1989

Can. J. Zool.

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Female wood ducks (n = 72) lost on average 1.3 ± 0.1 g/day during incubation. Change in body mass varied greatly among females (CV = 93%); it ranged from individuals that gained body mass to those that lost > 4 g/day. Loss of body mass was directly related to body mass of females in early incubation, but not to time of nesting, age, or clutch mass. Incubating hens lost mass at a greater rate in 1986 (1.9 ± 0.2 g/day) than in 1987 (1.2 ± 0.2 g/day), possibly because drought conditions in 1986 reduced foraging areas. For individuals sampled in both years of the study (n = 14), the group average of early incubation body mass and rate of mass change during incubation were similar between years. However, while similarity of body mass for individual females at the start of incubation was high between years (repeatability 82%), it was low for body mass changes that occurred during incubation (repeatability 31%). Thus, although change in body mass was related to the body mass at which hens began incubation, other factors must also have been involved.

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“…Nesting in the Arctic makes great energetic demands on geese. The short Arctic summer forces them to start nesting before grass growth begins in the spring, because otherwise the chick stage will not coincide with the period of highest food quality and/or the breeding cycle will not be completed before the autumn freeze up (Ryder 1967, Murton and Kear 1973, MacInnes et al 1974. Sedinger and Raveling 1986.…”

Section: Population Yearsmentioning

confidence: 98%