Foraging Zones of Southern Royal Albatrosses

• Published in: The Condor
• Main Authors: Waugh, Susan, Troup, Christina, Filippi, Dominique, Weimerskirch, Henri
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2002
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Snares Islands
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/104.3.662; http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/104/3/662/29712232/condor0662.pdf

Abstract Southern Royal Albatrosses (Diomedea epomophora) were satellite-tracked from Campbell Island during the incubation period in 1997 and 1999. Their foraging activity was restricted to shelf and shelf-break areas within 1250 km of their breeding site. Foraging activity by 8 of the 14 individuals tracked was concentrated at a zone near the Snares Islands, on the Campbell Plateau. Southern and Northern Royal Albatrosses (D. sanfordi) foraged on average nearer their breeding site than two other species of greater albatrosses (Gibson's [D. gibsoni], and Wandering [D. exulans] Albatrosses) studied during the incubation period. Zonas de Forrajeo de Diomedea epomophora Resumen. Individuos de la especie de albatros Diomedea epomophora fueron seguidos por satélite desde la Isla Campbell durante su período de incubación en dos años diferentes. Sus actividades de forrajeo estuvieron restringidas a las áreas rocosas y los desfiladeros en un perímetro de 1250 km alrededor del lugar de anidación. La actividad de forrajeo de más de la mitad de los 14 individuos estudiados estuvo concentrada en la zona cercana a la Isla Snares, en la meseta de Campbell. D. epomophora y D. sanfordi forrajeron en promedio más cerca de sus lugares de anidación que otras especies de albatros más grandes (D. gibsoni y D. exulans) estudiadas durante el período de incubación.