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Pacific Dunlin Calidris alpina pacifica show a high propensity for second clutch production

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Abstract

The Predation Danger Hypothesis suggests that shorebirds adjust aspects of their annual schedules to limit the amount of time they are exposed to the danger posed by the presence of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) and other raptors. For example, Pacific Dunlin (Calidris alpina pacifica) remain near their breeding grounds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska to molt, and migrate southward after peak Peregrine Falcon migration has passed. This extended residence in the north may enable them to increase the time they devote to reproductive activities and enhancing their reproductive output, either by increasing the length of bi-parental brood care or by producing more clutches. In this paper, I describe the breeding ecology of Pacific Dunlin and relate my results to their migration strategy. Pacific Dunlin females deserted their broods, on average, at 5 days of age, leaving the remainder of the 19-day brood care period to their mates. This resembles the parental care patterns of other Calidris species. However, Pacific Dunlin exhibited a high propensity for replacing first clutches that failed (75%), and 17% of individuals who successfully hatched their first nest deserted their broods and went on to produce a clutch with a new mate (i.e., double brood). These rates are high compared to other subspecies of Dunlin suggesting that Pacific Dunlin take advantage of their extended time on the breeding grounds to increase their reproductive output.

Zusammenfassung

Die „Predation Danger”-Hypothese legt nahe, dass Küstenvögel bestimmte Aspekte ihres „Jahreskalenders” so ausrichten, dass sie die Zeit, die sie unter direkter Bedrohung durch Wanderfalken (Falco peregrinus) und andere Raubvögel stehen, möglichst klein halten. So bleiben zum Beispiel die Alpenstrandläufer (Calidris alpina pacifica) über die Mauser nahe ihrer Brutgebiete im Yukon-Kuskokwim-Delta, Alaska, und ziehen erst nach Süden, wenn der größte Pulk der ziehenden Wanderfalken durchgezogen ist. Dieses längere Verbleiben im Norden ermöglicht es ihnen vermutlich, mehr Zeit in die Reproduktionsaktivitäten zu stecken und damit ihren Bruterfolg zu vergrößern, entweder durch eine längere Brutpflege durch beide Elternteile, oder durch eine größere Anzahl Gelege. In dieser Arbeit beschreibe ich die Brut-Ökologie des Alpenstrandläufers und setze meine Ergebnisse in Beziehung zu ihrer Zug-Strategie. Die Weibchen des Alpenstrandläufers verlassen ihre Brut im Schnitt nach fünf Tagen und überlassen die restlichen 19 Tage Brutpflege ihren Partnern, was den Brutpflege-Gewohnheiten anderer Calidris-Arten ähnlich ist. Die Alpenstrandläufer jedoch zeigen eine starke Neigung, Erst-Gelege mit geringem Bruterfolg (75%) zu ersetzen; 17% der Individuen, die das Erst-Gelege erfolgreich ausgebrütet hatten, verließen ihre Brut und produzierten ein zweites Gelege mit einem neuen Partner (i.e., doppelte Brut). Diese Raten sind hoch im Vergleich mit anderen Strandläufer-Unterarten und lassen vermuten, dass Alpenstrandläufer ihre längere Verweildauer im Brutgebiet dazu nutzen, die Zahl ihrer Nachkommen zu vergrößern.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Centre for Wildlife Ecology at Simon Fraser University, Environment Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Northern Scientific Training Program. I would like to thank Catherine Dale, Émilie Germaine, Jean-Francoise Lamarre, Casper van Leeuwen, Sarah Lovibond, Olivier Meyer, and Erica van Rooij for their assistance in the field. Comments by Dov Lank, Heather Major, Kyle Morrison, Joe Nocera, Erica Nol, Tony Williams, and Ron Ydenberg greatly improved earlier drafts of this manuscript. This study complied with the current American and Canadian laws and permits were granted by Simon Fraser University, the State of Alaska, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

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  1. Sarah E. Jamieson

    Present address: Institute for Conservation Research- Reproductive Physiology Division, San Diego Zoo Global, San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA, 15600, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Sarah E. Jamieson

  2. Ecology Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Sarah E. Jamieson

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  1. Sarah E. Jamieson
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Correspondence to Sarah E. Jamieson.

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Communicated by P. H. Becker.

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Jamieson, S.E. Pacific Dunlin Calidris alpina pacifica show a high propensity for second clutch production. J Ornithol 152, 1013–1021 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-011-0691-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-011-0691-4

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