Mate retention in Giant Canada Geese
Of 73 pairs of Giant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis maxima) in which both members of the pair were marked with individually identifiable neckbands, 68 (93%) remained together for as long as both members were alive or retained their markers. Collectively, these data represent 183 years of pair histo...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1988
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z88-403 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z88-403 |
| Summary: | Of 73 pairs of Giant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis maxima) in which both members of the pair were marked with individually identifiable neckbands, 68 (93%) remained together for as long as both members were alive or retained their markers. Collectively, these data represent 183 years of pair histories (sum of pairs × years of records). One pair that had raised a brood in the summer they were captured and marked separated during the next breeding season; neither re-paired with another bird, and then they rejoined the following autumn and remained together for five consecutive breeding seasons (and winters). Members of four (5.5%) pairs obtained new mates while their former mates were still alive. Of 17 surviving members of pairs in which the mate died (or disappeared) over winter, 15 (88%) re-paired. Data on reproductive success of 4 of these new pairs were not obtained, but 10 of 11 of the other new pairs successfully reared broods. |
|---|