Survival of Western Sandpiper Broods on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

• Published in: The Condor
• Main Authors: Ruthrauff, Daniel R., McCaffery, Brian J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2005
• Subjects: Arctic; High Latitude Breeding; Kuskokwim; Alaska; Yukon
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/107.3.597; http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/107/3/597/29715333/condor0597.pdf

Abstract The rate of chick growth in high-latitude breeding shorebirds is rapid, but little is known about the effect of chick mass, growth, and brood movements on subsequent brood survival. To address these topics, we monitored chick growth patterns, daily brood movements, and survival of Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. We assessed the effect of chick age, mass, and hatch date on brood survival using Program MARK. We mapped brood locations daily, and compared brood movement patterns between successful and unsuccessful broods. Younger chicks survived at lower rates and moved shorter distances than older chicks. The overall probability of one or more chicks from a brood surviving to 15 days of age was 0.73 ± 0.05 SE. Brood survival declined seasonally, and broods with heavier chicks survived at higher rates than those with lighter chicks. On average, successful broods fledged 1.7 ± 0.1 SE chicks. Rate of chick growth was intermediate between those of high arctic and temperate-breeding shorebirds, and chick mass at hatching declined seasonally. Western Sandpiper brood survival was lowest when chicks were young, spatially clumped, and unable to maintain homeothermy, probably because young chicks were more vulnerable to both complete depredation events and extreme weather. Our data suggest that larger, older chicks are able to avoid predators by being spatially dispersed and highly mobile; thermal independence, achieved after approximately day five, enables chicks to better endure prolonged periods of cold and low food availability. Supervivencia de Nidadas de Calidris mauri en el Delta Yukon-Kuskokwim, Alaska Resumen. La tasa de crecimiento de polluelos en aves que se reproducen a latitudes altas es rápida, pero se conoce poco sobre el efecto del peso y el crecimiento de los polluelos y de los movimientos de las crías sobre la supervivencia de las nidadas. Para evaluar estos tópicos, monitoreamos los patrones de crecimiento de polluelos, el movimiento diario de las crías, y ...