Feeding ecology of ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) chicks

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The feeding ecology of ring-billed gull chicks from hatching to fledging was studied on an insular colony near Presqu''ile Provincial Park, Ontario [Canada], during the summer of 1977. A principal objective was to determine changes in food type and frequency of feedings during chick development and among temporally spaced broods. Two daily peaks in chick feeding occurred with the first shortly after sunrise and the second just prior to sunset. The frequency at which chicks were fed peaked when they were 4 days old and declined steadily thereafter. Chicks younger than 5 days were fed insects and fish while chicks older than 5 days were fed mainly fish. Seasonal variation in food type fed to chicks changed from insects and fish early in the season to predominantly fish late in the season. The incidence of earthworms in feedings correlated with preceding periods of high humidity or rain.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: