Coping with darkness and low temperatures: foraging strategies in Steller's eiders, Polysticta stelleri , wintering at high latitudes

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Systad, Geir Helge, Bustnes, Jan Ove
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2001
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Midwinter; Polysticta stelleri
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z00-213; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z00-213

To examine how Steller's eiders, Polysticta stelleri, wintering at 70°N cope with adverse winter conditions in terms of darkness and low temperatures, we studied their feeding behaviour during four periods between late autumn and early spring. Steller's eiders were most likely to feed duri...