Late summer time budget and feeding behaviour of marbled godwits ( Limosa fedoa ) in southern Manitoba

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Wishart, Richard A., Sealy, Spencer G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1980
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Circus cyaneus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z80-178; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z80-178

Marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa) foraging, social behaviour, and habitat use were studied in late summer in southern Manitoba. The flocks spent most of their time using three small potholes on the study area. Time budget activity changed cyclically over the day; birds spent 61.3% of the day feeding. Over 22% of foraging time was spent handling food and in pauses. It is suggested that the birds feed primarily by contact rather than sight and foraging may occur at night. Feeding was less efficient during strong wind and wave action and birds avoided exposed areas. This permitted them to feed at efficiencies characteristic of those of calm conditions. Birds were wary of marsh hawks (Circus cyaneus), but flocking and the use of open areas may have reduced their vulnerability to predation. Several factors including food availability, protection from wind, and vulnerability to predators probably influenced the way godwits used the habitat.