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Larus Californicus and L. Delawarensis) University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1976 COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA AND RING-BILLED GULLS (LARUS CALIFORNICUS AND L. DELAWARENSIS) Patricia A. Baird The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Baird, Patricia A., "COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA AND RING-BILLED GULLS (LARUS CALIFORNICUS AND L. DELAWARENSIS)" (1976). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 9966. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/9966 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photogra;Wi and reproduce dtis document have been used, the quality Is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photoyapher suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find ü good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again - beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you vwsh raprcducsd. 5. PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms International 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 USA St. John's Road, Tyler's Green High Wycombe, Bucks, England HP10 8HR Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 77- 10,672 BAIRD, Patricia Ann, 1945- COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA AND RING-BILLED GULLS (Larus californicus and I. delawarensis). University of Montana, Ph.D., 1976 Ecology Xerox University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48io6 0 1977 PATRICIA ANN BAIRD ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CCNFABATIVE ECOLOGY OF CAUFCBNU m ) RINQ-BZLLBL GULIg (LawB californiottB and L. dalawarenais) By Patricia Ann Baird M.S.; California State University; 1970 Aresented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Riilosoptay UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 1976 Approved by: Chairman; Board of Examiners Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Baird, Patricia Arm, Fh.D,, December, 1976 Zoology Comparative Ecology of California and Ring-Billed Gulls (Larus californicus and L. delawarensis) ( 183 pp.) D irecto r: Andrew L. Sheldon The ecology of mixed and single species colonies of Ring-billed and California Gulls was studied in insular and peninsular locations in Montana. The purpose of this study was to investigate the for-aging and nesting niches of these sympatrie congeners and to ascertain what enr- abled them to coexist, what possible differences in lifestyles existed between them, and possible causes of these differences. The adaptive significance of patterns of habitat choice of the 2 species was also investigated with respect to reproductive success. The inter- and intraspecific behavior of the 2 species was described. Vegetation height, cover, volume, and species composition, distance to water of each nest, nest density, and nearest neighbor distances were examined as possible factors influencing nest construction on a particular site. Resource utilization was examined with respect to choice of feeding sites, interspecific interaction at feeding sites, and types of food eaten. Reproductive success of each species with respect to colony type, location in colony, vegetation profile, nearest neighbor distance, and species of nearest neighbor was investigated. Egg and chick success were determined and multivariate regression used to de­ termine what factors influenced mortality. California Gulls arrive 2 weeks in advance of the Ring-billed Gulls and establish territories in specific areas of the colony. There is little interspecific interaction and although the California Gulls are more aggressive and occasionally predate the Ring-billed chicks, the behavior is usually one of avoidance. The 2 species segregate the nesting habitat with respect to vegeta­ tion characteristics and nest in monospecific subgroups. Both prefer the middle of the colony to the edges. California Gulls nested in the hi^er denser vegetation. The nearest neighbor distances differed between the 2 species, and for Ring-billed Gulls, this distance is related to species of nearest neighbor. In the monospecific colony of California Gulls, the nesting niche is wider. California and Ring-billed Gulls segregate the food niche mainly by distance from the colony and by habitat type of the foraging areas, and less by food type. They had a 62^ overlap in their diets. Cal­ ifornia Gulls forage farther from the colony on dryland farmlands and prairie while Ring-billed Gulls forage near the colony in irrigated farm lands. Chick survival frran the egg stage was hi^er on the mixed species insular than on the peninsular colony, and least on the monospecific colony. Death rates of chicks were positively correlated with nearest neighbor distance and clutch size, and negatively correlated with vegetation cover, in most colonies. There is an indication that an optimal density exists within colonies and that densities above or below this cause a hi^er chick death rate, ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWIEDGICENTS To the women in my life I am most thankful—to Nelle Burner Baird who started it all and who started me off in the right direction, to Velma Vance who gave mo a strong push and kept mo going, to Dana Boussard and Carolyn Herron who gave me courage, to Jean Smith who gave me inspira­ tion and motivation and a love of gulls. I never would have made it with­ out them. I am thankful also to Richard Harry Baird who has always given support in many ways. Parker Head Waite, III, likewise deserves gratituue for being a master carpenter and an excellent field worker among other th in g s. Not last nor least I want to acknowledge the help of the many sec­ retaries who have graced the zoology department during my residency there: Katie Delano, Lonnie Preble, Norma Smith, Cheryl Winkler, Barbara Lemon, Janet Narks, Carol Sedlacek, Nary Jean LaPontaine, Laura Piute, Patty Welling, and Chris Berg. Without them, all would have been chaos. Special thanks go to Jean Smith, Bob Rinehart, Doris Keith, Betty Holm, Karen Anders, Don Smith, P atty Dolan, Roger Hungerforu, Ray Shearer, and Wyman Schmidt for use of equipment, and to Karen Anders for timely incentives. Jean Smith, Don Loftsgaarden, and Jerry kcGahan also made helpful suggestions. Especially, I want to thank Dave Fellin, co­ worker, mentor, and friend, not only for use of equipment and office space, but also for valuable advice, long talks, and constant encouragement throughout the project. i i i Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. IV I also want to thank the following; Dale Witt, Freezeout Lake man­ ager, for allowing me to camp at the lake for two field seasons; John Craighead for his help and handing permit; Louis Moos for his banding per­ mit and advice; Charles and Dorothy Boussard for their hospitality; Peter Stickney and William O'Brien for their help with the identification of plants; Jim Vollrath, Don Smith, the 1974 ornithology class, Susie Lind­ bergh, Tima P rie ss, Mark Savidge, Marge Klebenow, Joan C o llin s, Debby Mann, and especially Prudence Baird, Priscilla Baird, Zoe, Jean Smith and Parker Waite for their field work drudgery; Rod King at Bowdoin Refuge for his assistance; Franklin Sogandares for his encouragement; Nancy Drinkard for her lib ra ry work and a s s is ta n c e ; and Medora Bass fo r much footwork. Most of all I want to thank James Armstrong, a true humanitarian, who enabled me to continue my life and my career as usual. Likewise, I thank the following faculty for their helpful sug­ gestions on this manuscript: my major professor, Andrew Sheldon; and my committee members, Raymond Canham, Phillip Wright, Delbert Kilgore, Lee Metzgar, and Don Loftsgaarden, Many thanks go to Leslie Berg, Mike Fontana, and Don Kludt who did an excellent job typing, drafting, and printing respectively. I gratefully acknowledge the help given to me from the American Museum of Natural History in the form of a grant from the Frank M.
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