DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ancient Murrelet. a Natural History in the Queen Charlotte Islands

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ancient Murrelet. a Natural History in the Queen Charlotte Islands 242 Reviews [Auk, Vol. 111 of ornithology or in ornithologiststhemselves, read without removing the attending adult, caused10% of this book. It's fun.--ALAN H. BRUSH,Mystic, Connect- the murreletsto desert.Consequently, he reportsonly icut, USA. two yearly estimatesof hatching success,those ob- tained after the teambegan to usetemperature probes for detecting the presenceand absenceof incubating adults. One has to concur with Gaston'swry assess- ment of the typicalworking conditions:"average slope about 45ø , considerably steeper in places,often slick with rain, and cut by ravinesfilled with unstablescree The Auk 111(1):242-243, 1994 ... not ideal conditions for wandering about in the Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/111/1/242/5167940 by guest on 27 September 2021 dark." Largely deprived of the visual sense,the ob- The Ancient Murrelet. A Natural History in the serversproved admirably adaptable: "With practice, Queen Charlotte Islands.--Anthony J. Gaston.1992. it was possible to tell from the sound of the landing T & AD Poyser Ltd., London, and Academic Press, whether or not an arriving bird was carrying an egg. San Diego, California. xviii + 249 pp., 22 black-and- Femalescarrying eggsgenerally hit the ground with white plates, 69 text figures, 22 tables, 2 appendices. a muchlouder thump." In the end, this work achieves ISBN 0-85661-070-4.$34.95.--Leadership in ecologi- a pleasingblend of solid quantitativescience and de- cal researchon north-temperate-zoneseabirds has long scriptive natural history. been associatedmainly with the region of the north- The book has two parts,the first being a collection easternAtlantic, which enjoysa tradition of detailed, of four chapters that compile and review what is innovative work spanning severaldecades. Although known about the Ancient Murrelet throughout its the temperateNorth Pacificis home to severalof the range, including comparativenotes on three conge- samespecies that figure prominently in the Atlantic, neric species.This material (about 100 pages) is fol- and also has a host of interesting speciesfound no- lowed by an account of original researchon Reef where else, Pacific birds had until recently received Island. The author usestwo chaptersto introduce the comparatively little attention. Few important ad- Queen Charlotte Islands and methods employed in vancesin seabirdbiology had comefrom the northern the study, then organizes the diverse results of the North Pacific, which tended to leave those of us who study in a suite of seven chapters. Some of the latter work in the region harboringa slight inferiority com- material is already available in a dozen papers by plex. Happily, this situation is beginning to change. Gastonand his associates,but I was impressedby how First, we are learning that in someinstances the pop- much of it is new. Basically,most of chapter 8 (on ulation dynamicsof sharedspecies differ greatly be- attendance and behavior at the colony) and chapter tween the North Pacific and North Atlantic. The Pa- 14 (population dynamics) are reviews of published cific work, therefore, is more than just a rehash of work, whereas other chapters(on nesting habitat and that which was already known. It takes an important phenology, eggs and chicks, the behavior of non- step toward understandinggeographic variation in breedersat the colonyand of murreletsoffshore) give demography--variationthat would not havebeen an- information that is mostlyunavailable except by read- ticipatedfrom any casualcomparison of the environ- ing this book. Original or derived, previously pub- ments,which appearsuperficially similar. Second,we lished or not, it is a welcome development to have are starting to see the resultsof in-depth work on everything known about this curious little seabird speciesunique to the region. Tony Gaston'sbook, the neatly compiled in one place. In that respect,readers first monographictreatment of any North Pacifical- will also appreciatethe substantialbibliography that cid, is one encouragingsign that seabird researchin accompaniesthe text. the temperateNorth Pacificis coming of age. If there is a unifying theme to the book, it is the This piece is basedon six seasonsof fieldwork con- questionof why the Ancient Murrelet (and others of ducted on Reef Island in the Queen Charlotte Islands the genus Synthliboramphus),alone among seabirds, of British Columbia. Recognizingthe value of long- evolved a highly precocial mode of early develop- term studies in dealing with long-lived birds, the ment. Chicks leave their burrows and make their haz- author is mildly apologetic for the duration of the ardousway to the seaabout two days after hatching. project,but he neednot be. Againstconsiderable odds, Gaston highlights the issue at the outset (p. 2) and Gaston and his coworkers obtained a wealth of in- revisitsit occasionallythroughout the book. In a clos- formation on the breeding biology of Ancient Mur- ing chapterdevoted to the topic, he reviewsseveral relets, which not only are nocturnal at land and nest previous hypothesesto explain precocity in rnurre- underground,but alsoare extremelyintolerant of dis- lets, finds them all unsatisfactory,and offershis own turbance during incubation. To top it off, they rear explanation. their chicks entirely at sea. Any shortcomingsin the ! have a small problem with the terminology. Gas- results of this work can be fairly attributed to those ton is not the first to apply the term "precocial" to specialtraits of the study animal. Gastonlearned that rnurrelets,but becausethe young are not capableof reachinginto an occupiednest chamberonce, even self-feedinguntil they attain approximatelyadult size January 1994] Reviews 243 and plumage,perhaps a more appropriateterm is "ni- angular symbolsare a prominent feature of the map difugous."Semantics aside, I questionwhether Gas- in figure 5.3, but an explanation of what they mean ton's proposedexplanation of precocityin murrelets is lacking. can stand up to scrutiny. Although duly noting the The book contains a one-page appendix offering possiblerole of predator avoidance, his hypothesis "Census Details for Reef Island, 1989." Included are (p. 218-219) stressesthe relationship between mor- counts of burrows along 30 transects.Scant expla- tality and reproductive output as follows: nation is provided, however, and neither of two seemingly related graphics that appear earlier (figs. The estimatedannual survival of breeding Ancient 7.1 and 11.5) seemsto correspondwith the labelling Murrelets, at 75%, is lower than has been observed systemin the appendix. The latter might as well have Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/111/1/242/5167940 by guest on 27 September 2021 for any other alcid or any other pelagicseabird .... been omitted. This is in contrast to Gaston's earlier In order to survivein the faceof this high mortality, book (with D. N. Nettleship) on Thick-billed Murres a high reproductive rate is needed . the Ancient in the Canadian Arctic. There, the reader finds ex- Murrelet can only achieve this reproductive output tensiveappended information, including maps,pho- by taking the chicksto the feeding area.... Hence, tographs,raw data, and notes on methods.I favor that I proposethat the need to maintain a high repro- approach in the publication of seabird population ductive rate and to reduce the vulnerability of studies, becauseit gives future observersa realistic breeders to mortality while visiting the colony, chanceof replicating the work 50 or 75 years hence, contributed to the evolution of precocity in Synth- when there may be a great need and interest in doing liboramphus. so. I assumethat publishers' preferences had some- I am surprised to see Gaston, an alumnus of Oxford thing to do with this difference. and the Edward Grey Institute, espousesuch a non- None of these few criticismsalters my opinion that Lackian view of the relation between birth and death Gastonhas produced a fine work of lastingvalue. The rates. In essence,he is saying that in murrelets the AncientMurrelet is highly readable, written as it is in reproductiverate is adjustedto compensatefor high a clear, engaging, and unaffectedstyle. The book is mortality, whereas Lack said that would never occur. attractively illustrated throughout with artwork by All organisms,according to Lack, strive to reproduce Ian Jonesand also makes effective use of black-and- as rapidly as possible,and mortality varies as a den- white photography to convey a vivid sense of what sity-dependentresponse to the reproductiverates they it is like on Reef Island. Although the intended au- achieve. Because the usual clutch of murrelets is two dience clearly includes interested nonscientists,this eggs, and the average family going to sea has 1.5 bookwill remain for many yearsthe definitive source chicks,there is in fact a greater addition to the pop- of scientific information on this previously little- ulation eachyear of extra mouthsto feed than is typ- known bird.--ScoTT A. HATCH, Alaska Fish and Wild ical of seabirdsgenerally. The high rate of adult mor- life ResearchCenter, National Biological Survey. 1011 East tality observedmay be partly a resultof this seasonally TudorRoad, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, USA. increasedpopulation density. If, as Gaston suggests,the ancestralcondition in alcids was a clutch of more than one egg, and if it was possiblefor the murrelets to achieve a high re- productiverate by retaining the larger clutchsize and leading their young chicks to sea, then the relevant question may not
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Mark of the Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus Wumizusume): a Study of Song and Stewardship in Japan’S Inland Sea
    Claremont Colleges Scholarship @ Claremont Pomona Senior Theses Pomona Student Scholarship 2019 The aM rk of the Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume): A study of song and stewardship in Japan’s Inland Sea Charlotte Hyde The Mark of the Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume): A study of song and stewardship in Japan’s Inland Sea Charlotte Hyde In partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Analysis, 2018-2019 academic year, Pomona College, Claremont, California Readers: Nina Karnovsky Wallace Meyer Acknowledgements I would first like to thank Professor Nina Karnovsky for introducing me to her work in Kaminoseki and for allowing me to join this incredible project, thereby linking me to a community of activists and scientists around the world. I am also so appreciative for her role as my mentor throughout my years as an undergraduate and for helping me develop my skills and confidence as a scholar and ecologist. Thank you also to my reader Wallace Meyer for his feedback on my writing and structure. I am so thankful for the assistance of Char Miller, who has worked tirelessly to give valuable advice and support to all seniors in the Environmental Analysis Department throughout their thesis journeys. Thank you to Marc Los Huertos for his assistance with R and data analysis, without which I would be hopelessly lost. I want to thank my peers in the Biology and Environmental Analysis departments for commiserating with me during stressful moments and for providing a laugh, hug, or shoulder to cry on, depending on the occasion. Thank you so much to my parents, who have supported me unconditionally throughout my turbulent journey into adulthood and who have never doubted my worth as a person or my abilities as a student.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus Antiquus
    Major: Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus colony attendance at Langara 233 ANCIENT MURRELET SYNTHLIBORAMPHUS ANTIQUUS COLONY ATTENDANCE AT LANGARA ISLAND ASSESSED USING OBSERVER COUNTS AND RADAR IN RELATION TO TIME AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS HEATHER L. MAJOR1,2 1Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada 2Current address: Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 5050, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada ([email protected]) Received 10 June 2016, accepted 26 July 2016 SUMMARY MAJOR, H.L. 2016. Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus colony attendance at Langara Island assessed using observer counts and radar in relation to time and environmental conditions. Marine Ornithology 44: 233–240. The decision to attend a colony on any given day or night is arguably the result of a trade-off between survival and reproductive success. It is often difficult to study this trade-off, as monitoring patterns of colony attendance for nocturnal burrow-nesting seabirds is challenging. Here, I 1) examined the effectiveness of monitoring Ancient Murrelet colony arrivals using marine radar, and 2) evaluated differences in colony attendance behavior in relation to time, light, and weather. I found a strong correlation between the number of Ancient Murrelets counted by observers in the colony and the number of radar targets counted, with estimated radar target counts being ~95 times higher than observer counts. My hypothesis that patterns of colony attendance are related to environmental conditions (i.e. light and weather) and that this relationship changes with time after sunset was supported.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2016
    AMNWR 2017/02 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING AT AIKTAK ISLAND, ALASKA IN 2016 Sarah M. Youngren, Daniel C. Rapp, and Nora A. Rojek Key words: Aiktak Island, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, ancient murrelet, Cepphus columba, common murre, double-crested cormorant, fork-tailed storm-petrel, Fratercula cirrhata, Fratercula corniculata, glaucous-winged gull, horned puffin, Larus glaucescens, Leach’s storm-petrel, Oceanodroma furcata, Oceanodroma leucorhoa, pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Phalacrocorax urile, pigeon guillemot, population trends, productivity, red-faced cormorant, Synthliboramphus antiquus, thick-billed murre, tufted puffin, Uria aalge, Uria lomvia. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 95 Sterling Highway, Suite 1 Homer, AK 99603 January 2017 Cite as: Youngren, S. M., D. C. Rapp, and N. A. Rojek. 2017. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2016. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 2017/02. Homer, Alaska. Tufted puffins flying along the southern coast of Aiktak Island, Alaska. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 1 STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................................... 1 METHODS ...................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Specimen Record of a Long-Billed Murrelet from Eastern Washington, with Notes on Plumage and Morphometric Differences Between Long-Billed and Marbled Murrelets
    SPECIMEN RECORD OF A LONG-BILLED MURRELET FROM EASTERN WASHINGTON, WITH NOTES ON PLUMAGE AND MORPHOMETRIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LONG-BILLED AND MARBLED MURRELETS CHRISTOPER W. THOMPSON, WashingtonDepartment of Fish and Wildlife, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek, Washington98012, and Burke Museum,Box 353100, Universityof Washington,Seattle, Washington 98195 KEVIN J. PULLEN, ConnerMuseum, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash- ington 99164 RICHARD E. JOHNSON, Conner Museumand School of BiologicalSciences, WashingtonState University,Pullman, Washington 99164 ERICB. CUMMINS, WashingtonDepartment of Fishand Wildlife, 600 CapitolWay North, Olympia,Washington 98501 ABSTRACT:On 14 August2001, RobertDice found a Brachyramphusmurrelet approximately12 mileseast of Pomeroyin easternWashington state more than 200 milesfrom the nearestmarine waters. The bird died later that day. It had begun definitiveprebasic body molt, but not flightfeather molt. Necropsy indicated that the birdwas a female,probably in her secondcalendar year. Johnson and Thompson identifiedthe birdas a Long-billedMurrelet, Brachyramphus perdix, on the basisof plumageand measurements;it is the firstspecimen of thisspecies for Washington state. Contrary to many recent publicationsstating that Long-billedand Marbled Murreletshave white and brownunder wing coverts, respectively, we confirmedthat bothspecies typically have white under wing coverts prior to definitiveprebasic molt andbrown under wing coverts after this molt. Absence of anyextensive storm systems in the North Pacificin
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 40, Number 2 Fall 2013
    PACIFIC SEABIRDS A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group Volume 40, Number 2 Fall 2013 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) was formed in 1972 due to the need for better communication among Pacific seabird researchers. PSG provides a forum for the research activities of its members, promotes the conservation of seabirds, and informs members and the public of issues relating to Pacific Ocean seabirds and their environment. PSG members include research scientists, conservation professionals, and members of the public from all parts of the Pacific Ocean. The group also welcomes seabird professionals and enthusiasts in other parts of the world. PSG holds annual meetings at which scientific papers and symposia are presented; abstracts for meetings are published on our web site. The group is active in promoting conservation of seabirds, including seabird/fisheries interactions, monitoring of seabird populations, seabird restoration following oil spills, establishment of seabird sanctuaries, and endangered species. Policy statements are issued on conservation issues of critical importance. PSG’s journals are Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin) and Marine Ornithology. Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ornithological Council, and the American Bird Conservancy. Annual dues for membership are $30 (individual and family); $24 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and $900 (Life Membership, payable in five $180 installments). Dues are payable to the Treasurer; see the PSG web site, or the Membership Order Form next to inside back cover.
    [Show full text]
  • ANCIENT MURRELET Synthliboramphus Antiquus
    Alaska Seabird Information Series ANCIENT MURRELET Synthliboramphus antiquus Conservation Status ALASKA: Highly Imperiled N. AMERICAN: High Risk GLOBAL: Least Concern Breed Eggs Incubation Fledge Nest Feeding Behavior Diet June-Aug 1-2 33-36+ d 1-4 d burrow surface dive crustaceans, fish Life History and Distribution The Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) is unique among seabirds in rearing its chicks entirely at sea. Successful mating leads to two comparatively enormous eggs, each weighing approximately one-quarter of the female's weight. Only 2-4 days after hatching, without ever having been fed, the downy youngsters leave the nest and follow the adult birds to the sea. The chicks remain with their parents for at least one month after leaving the colony. This behavior and their nocturnal habits appear to be adaptations to reduce predation on adults. Ancient Murrelets have a relatively low adult annual mortality rate. Jones Ian Copyright These murrelets normally breed in colonies on forested islands or those covered in grass or dense forbs. Alaska Seasonal Distribution Nests are usually burrows dug in soft soil, but cavities AK Region Sp S F W under tree roots and shallow holes under grass tussocks are Southeastern * U U U U also used. Crevices in rocks or among boulders are less Southcoastal * U U U U frequently occupied. Southwestern * C C C C Ancient Murrelets are pigeon-sized birds with a black Central - - - - cap, gray back, cream-colored bill, and pale blue legs and feet. During the breeding season, they have a white stripe Western + R R - over the eye and a black throat patch.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Reproductive Ecology of the Auks (Family Alcidae) with Emphasis on the Marbled Murrelet
    Chapter 3 Comparative Reproductive Ecology of the Auks (Family Alcidae) with Emphasis on the Marbled Murrelet Toni L. De Santo1, 2 S. Kim Nelson1 Abstract: Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) are breed on the Farallon Islands in the Pacific Ocean (Common comparable to most alcids with respect to many features of their Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Cassin’s Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, reproductive ecology. Most of the 22 species of alcids are colonial and Tufted Puffin) are presented by Ainley (1990), Ainley in their nesting habits, most exhibit breeding site, nest site, and and others (1990a, b, c) and Boekelheide and others (1990). mate fidelity, over half lay one egg clutches, and all share duties Four inshore fish feeding alcids of the northern Pacific Ocean of incubation and chick rearing with their mates. Most alcids nest on rocky substrates, in earthen burrows, or in holes in sand, (Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Spectacled Guillemot, around logs, or roots. Marbled Murrelets are unique in choice of and Marbled Murrelet) are reviewed by Ewins and others nesting habitat. In the northern part of their range, they nest on (1993) (also see Marshall 1988a for a review of the Marbled rocky substrate; elsewhere, they nest in the upper canopy of coastal Murrelet). The Ancient Murrelet, another inhabitant of the coniferous forest trees, sometimes in what appear to be loose northern Pacific Ocean, has been reviewed by Gaston (1992). aggregations. Marbled Murrelet young are semi-precocial as are Alcids that nest in small, loosely-aggregated colonies, as most alcids, yet they hatch from relatively large eggs (relative to isolated pairs, or in areas less accessible to researchers, have adult body size) which are nearly as large as those of the precocial not been well studied.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of Conservation Concern 2021 Migratory Bird Program Table of Contents
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern 2021 Migratory Bird Program Table Of Contents Executive Summary 4 Acknowledgments 5 Introduction 6 Methods 7 Geographic Scope 7 Birds Considered 7 Assessing Conservation Status 7 Identifying Birds of Conservation Concern 10 Results and Discussion 11 Literature Cited 13 Figures 15 Figure 1. Map of terrestrial Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) Marine Bird Conservation Regions (MBCRs) of North America (Bird Studies Canada and NABCI 2014). See Table 2 for BCR and MBCR names. 15 Tables 16 Table 1. Island states, commonwealths, territories and other affiliations of the United States (USA), including the USA territorial sea, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone considered in the development of the Birds of Conservation Concern 2021. 16 Table 2. Terrestrial Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) and Marine Bird Conservation Regions (MBCR) either wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of the Continental USA, including Alaska, used in the Birds of Conservation Concern 2021. 17 Table 3. Birds of Conservation Concern 2021 in the Continental USA (CON), continental Bird Conservation Regions (BCR), Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (PRVI), and Hawaii and Pacific Islands (HAPI). Refer to Appendix 1 for scientific names of species, subspecies and populations Breeding (X) and nonbreeding (nb) status are indicated for each geography. Parenthesized names indicate conservation concern only exists for a specific subspecies or population. 18 Table 4. Numbers of taxa of Birds of Conservation Concern 2021 represented on the Continental USA (CON), continental Bird Conservation Region (BCR), Puerto Rico and VirginIslands (PRVI), Hawaii and Pacific Islands (HAPI) lists by general taxonomic groups. Also presented are the unique taxa represented on all lists.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovery of the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus Antiquus Colony on Langara Island, British Columbia, Following Eradication of Invasive Rats
    Regher et al.: Recovery of murrelets on Langara Island 137 RECOVERY OF THE ANCIENT MURRELET SYNTHLIBORAMPHUS ANTIQUUS COLONY ON LANGARA ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, FOLLOWING ERADICATION OF INVASIVE RATS HEIDI M. REGEHR1, MICHAEL S. RODWAY1, MOIRA J.F. LEMON2 & J. MARK HIPFNER2 1Wildwing Environmental Research, Box 47, Gold Bridge, British Columbia, V0K 1P0, Canada ([email protected]) 2Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, 5421 Robertson Road, RR 1, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N2, Canada Received 3 April 2006, accepted 22 February 2007 SUMMARY REGEHR, H.M., RODWAY, M.S., LEMON, M.J.F. & HIPFNER, J.M. 2007. Recovery of the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus colony on Langara Island, British Columbia, following eradication of invasive rats. Marine Ornithology 35: 137–144. Ancient Murrelets Synthliboramphus antiquus were nearly extirpated, and five other burrow-nesting species were extirpated from Langara Island, British Columbia, following introduction of first Black Rats Rattus rattus and later Norway Rats R. norvegicus. Rats were eradicated in 1995. To document the apparent response of Ancient Murrelets to introduced rats and to their removal, we compared colony surveys on Langara Island before (1981, 1988, 1993) and after (1999, 2004) rat eradication. We used surveys on two other colonies with rats, and five without rats, as approximate controls. Colony area decreased and burrow density increased on Langara Island in the presence of rats. Four years after rat removal, those trends had reversed. By 2004, the Ancient Murrelet colony had expanded to twice its pre-eradication area (to 61 ha from 29 ha), but burrow density had decreased (to 625 burrows/ha from 1800 burrows/ha) such that the number of burrows in the colony (38 176 in 2004) did not increase noticeably.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus Antiquus
    COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus in Canada SPECIAL CONCERN 2004 COSEWIC COSEPAC COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF COMITÉ SUR LA SITUATION ENDANGERED WILDLIFE DES ESPÈCES EN PÉRIL IN CANADA AU CANADA COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC 2004. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 31 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Previous reports: Gaston, A.J. 1993. COSEWIC Status report on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus in Canada. Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 46 pp. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Christianne Wilhelmson for writing the status report on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus prepared under contract with Environment Canada, overseen and edited by Richard Cannings, the COSEWIC Birds Specialist Subcommittee Co-chair. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: (819) 997-4991 / (819) 953-3215 Fax: (819) 994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Ếgalement disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur la situation du Guillemot à cou blanc (Synthliboramphus antiquus) au Canada – Mise à jour. Cover illustration: Ancient Murrelet — Dan Tallman. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2004 Catalogue No. CW69-14/424-2005E-PDF ISBN 0-662-39856-4 HTML: CW69-14/424-2005E-HTML 0-662-39857-2 Recycled paper COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – November 2004 Common name Ancient Murrelet Scientific name Synthliboramphus antiquus Status Special Concern Reason for designation This burrow-nesting seabird is impacted by mammalian predators that have been introduced to its breeding islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Marbled Murrelet Food Habits and Prey Ecology
    Chapter 22 Marbled Murrelet Food Habits and Prey Ecology Esther E. Burkett1 Abstract: Information on food habits of the Marbled Murrelet In Alaska, two studies have been conducted in the non- (Brachyramphus marmoratus) was compiled from systematic stud- breeding season (Krasnow and Sanger 1982, Sanger 1987b), ies and anecdotal reports from Alaska to California. Major differ- and one took place during the breeding season (Krasnow and ences between the winter and summer diets were apparent, with Sanger 1982). These studies form the basis for much of the euphausiids and mysids becoming more dominant during winter and knowledge of murrelet food habits and are discussed below spring. The primary invertebrate prey items were euphausiids, mysids, and amphipods. Small schooling fishes included sand lance, an- along with anecdotal information on murrelet diet. chovy, herring, osmerids, and seaperch. The fish portion of the diet Recent genetic analysis has indicated that the North was most important in the summer and coincided with the nestling American Marbled Murrelet warrants full specific status and fledgling period. Murrelets are opportunistic feeders, and (Friesen and others 1994a). For this reason, and since this interannual changes in the marine environment can result in major chapter was written primarily to aid in management action changes in prey consumption. Site-specific conditions also influ- and recovery planning in North America, information on the ence the spectrum and quantity of prey items. More information on diet of the Long-billed Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus food habits south of British Columbia is needed. Studies on the perdix) has been omitted. major prey species of the murrelet and relationships between other Overall, murrelet food habits in the Gulf of Alaska and seabirds and these prey are briefly summarized.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009
    AMNWR 2010/04 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING AT AIKTAK ISLAND, ALASKA IN 2009 Slade F. Sapora, Allyson L. Larned, and Brie A. Drummond Key words: Aiktak Island, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, ancient murrelet, Cepphus columba, common murre, double-crested cormorant, fork-tailed storm-petrel, Fratercula cirrhata, Fratercula corniculata, glaucous-winged gull, horned puffin, Larus glaucescens, Leach’s storm-petrel, Oceanodroma furcata, Oceanodroma leucorhoa, pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Phalacrocorax urile, pigeon guillemot, population trends, productivity, red-faced cormorant, Synthliboramphus antiquus, thick-billed murre, tufted puffin, Uria aalge, Uria lomvia. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 95 Sterling Highway, Suite 1 Homer, AK 99603 April 2010 Cite as: Sapora, S.F., A.L. Larned, and Brie A. Drummond. 2010. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 2010/04. Homer, Alaska. Southern coast of Aiktak Island, Alaska, in late July. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 1 STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................................... 1 METHODS .................................................................................................................................................... 2 INTERESTING
    [Show full text]