Moonlight Avoidance Behavior in Leach's Storm-Petrels as a Defense against Slaty-Backed Gulls
- 1 January 1986
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Auk
- Vol. 103 (1) , 14-22
- https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/103.1.14
Abstract
Diurnal activity patterns of Leach's Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) and Slaty-backed Gulls (Larus schistisagus) were investigated. The petrels reduced activity in moonlight in May and June when the predation rate by gulls was relatively high. Petrel activity levels were inversely correlated with light intensities and the corresponding risk of predation by the gull. This suggests that nocturnal activity and moonlight avoidance by the petrel in its colony are an effective defense against diurnal predators. Activity synchronization of the petrel was most marked during the full moon, further supporting the predator-avoidance hypothesis.This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- Increase in Weight of Herring Gulls While FeedingJournal of Animal Ecology, 1983
- The Structure of Lizard CommunitiesAnnual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 1973
- A Determination of the Caloric Density and Major Body Components of Large BirdsEcology, 1968