Local Feeding of Kingfishers and Mergansers

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Abstract
On the Margaree and Apple rivers, N.S., the belted kingfisher feeds upon those fishes most available within its feeding range. In the estuaries many species are taken, but ascending a river the number becomes less until only salmon and trout (Salvelinus), or trout alone, constitute the food. By rearing a young bird it was determined that the American merganser pursues its prey by sight under water, being able to see a distance of from 10 feet (3 m.) to 2 feet (0.6 m.) or less, depending upon the clearness of the water. The bird consumes daily on the average more than a third of its weight. In nature the broods are reared up stream where young salmon are the dominant fish and constitute the major food item, with trout next. When the supply becomes scarce they shift down stream and in the estuary take the various fishes occurring there. In contrast the young red-breasted mergansers were found feeding over areas not frequented by young salmon, and the adults were confined largely to the estuary. They fed on the species available, which sometimes consisted largely of young salmon.

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