Winter Behavior of the Common Loon (Comportamiento Invernal de Gavia immer)

A 2-yr study was conducted on the winter behavior of the Common Loon (Gavia immer) at Weekapaug, Rhode Island. Behavior of loons was assessed by recording the type of activity every 60 s for a 5-min period. Activity budgets showed an increase in the amount of time spent feeding from 23% in 1987 to 3...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of field ornithology 1995-01, Vol.66 (1), p.22-29
Main Authors: Thomas B. Ford, Gieg, Jennifer A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Crabs
Deep water
Depopulation
Diving
Food
Freshwater
Gavia immer
Loons
Preening
Shallow water
Water depth
Winter
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Summary:A 2-yr study was conducted on the winter behavior of the Common Loon (Gavia immer) at Weekapaug, Rhode Island. Behavior of loons was assessed by recording the type of activity every 60 s for a 5-min period. Activity budgets showed an increase in the amount of time spent feeding from 23% in 1987 to 38% in 1992, possibly due to a decline in prey abundance. In addition, Common Loons spent more time in shallower waters in 1991 and 1992 versus 1987, which may reflect increases in time needed to find prey. Common Loon behavior was not correlated with water depth or time of day. No territorial behavior was observed. /// Se condujo un estudio de dos anos sobre el comportamiento invernal de Gavia immer en Weekapaug, Rhode Island. El comportamiento del ave se evaluó anotando el tipo de actividad en intérvalos de 60 seg. en 5 minutos. El tiempo invertido en la alimentación aumentó de un 23% en el presupuesto de 1987 a un 38% en 1992, posiblemente debido a una reducción en la abundancia de presas. Asímismo, las aves invirtieron mas tiempo en aguas llanas en 1991 y 1992 en contraste con 1987, lo que puede reflejar un aumento en el tiempo necesario para hallar presas. El comportamiento de la especie no se correlacionó con la profundidad del agua o con la hora del día. No se observó comportamiento territorialista.
ISSN:0273-8570
1557-9263