Trumpeter swan behaviour at spring-migration stopover areas in southern Alberta

The use of breeding and wintering areas has been a focus of studies on trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator), but the importance of migration stopover areas has been overlooked. We conducted a behavioural study to assess trumpeter swans' use of spring-migration stopover areas in southern Alberta, Canada. Adult swans foraged for 48% of the day, preened for 12%, rested for 26%, and were involved in locomotion for 14% of the time. Cygnets foraged for 49% of the day, preened for 15%, rested for 19%, and were involved in locomotion for 18% of their time. Temperature had a significant effect on the time budget of trumpeter swans: below 4°C, foraging diminished and sleeping was the dominant activity. The dominant activity of trumpeter swans in spring-migration stopover areas was foraging. We therefore suggest that these stopover areas are important for building the energy reserves required for successful migration and breeding.

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Characteristics of ponds used by trumpeter swans in a spring migration stopover area

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z03-176 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 81 (11) ◽

pp. 1791-1798 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jalene M LaMontagne ◽

Leland J Jackson ◽

Robert M.R Barclay

Keyword(s):

Discriminant Function Analysis ◽

Function Analysis ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Spring Migration ◽

Potamogeton Pectinatus ◽

Southern Alberta ◽

Energy Stores ◽

Trumpeter Swan ◽

Trumpeter Swans ◽

Macrophyte Cover

We investigated pond habitat use by trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) at spring migration stopover areas in southern Alberta in 1999 and 2000. Spring migration stopover areas may be critical to gaining energy stores required for successful breeding, but no studies of trumpeter swan migration habitat have previously been published. We conducted counts of trumpeter swans on 13 ponds located west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and divided the ponds into three groups based on their use by trumpeter swans (consistent high use, variable use, and consistent low/no use). We determined properties of all ponds, including pond area <1 m deep, distance from roads, days ice-covered while trumpeter swans were present, pH, conductivity, total phosphorus, percent macrophyte cover, and rhizome plus tuber dry mass per square metre. We used forward-stepping discriminant function analysis to determine which pond properties were most consistent with trumpeter swan use. Consistent high-use ponds had the greatest rhizome plus tuber dry mass per square metre and high conductivity. Ice cover also influenced pond use. Potamogeton pectinatus was the dominant macrophyte in all consistently used ponds. Our results are important for identifying ponds favoured by trumpeter swans and to ensure that adequate habitat is available during spring migration.

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Cross-seasonal dynamics in body mass of male Harlequin Ducks: a strategy for meeting costs of reproduction

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z09-135 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 224-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Esler ◽

Jeanine C. Bond

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Spring Migration ◽

Feeding Time ◽

Energy Reserves ◽

Costs Of Reproduction ◽

Wintering Grounds ◽

Energy Stores ◽

Harlequin Ducks ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Wintering Areas

Considerations of acquisition of energy for reproduction by waterfowl have disproportionately focused on females, although males also require energy for reproduction. We quantified variation in body mass of male Harlequin Ducks ( Histrionicus histrionicus (L., 1758)) on coastal wintering areas prior to spring migration, as well as on breeding grounds, to determine when and where nutrients were acquired to meet costs of reproduction. Male mass on wintering grounds increased, on average, by 45 g (7%) in the weeks prior to migration. On breeding streams, we inferred that body mass of paired males decreased with the length of time on breeding grounds. Also, on average, male mass was considerably lower on breeding streams than when they departed coastal wintering sites. We conclude that males store nutrients on marine wintering grounds for subsequent use during the breeding season. Male Harlequin Ducks are highly vigilant while on breeding streams and the associated reduction in feeding time presumably requires energy stores. We suggest that males have evolved a strategy that is at least partially “capital” for meeting costs of reproduction, in which they acquire an optimal amount of energy reserves prior to spring migration and subsequently invest them in behaviours that can enhance reproductive success.

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Surveillance of Amyloidosis and other Diseases at Necropsy in Captive Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus Buccinator)

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/104063870501700318 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 295-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

David K. Meyerholz ◽

Yannick F. Vanloubbeeck ◽

Shannon J. Hostetter ◽

Dianna M. Jordan ◽

Amanda J. Fales-Williams

Keyword(s):

Parasitic Infection ◽

Pulmonary Hemorrhage ◽

Amyloid Deposition ◽

Diagnostic Features ◽

Diagnostic Laboratory ◽

Cygnus Buccinator ◽

Veterinary Pathology ◽

Trumpeter Swan ◽

Trumpeter Swans ◽

Etiologic Diagnosis

The purpose of this study was to characterize the incidence and diagnostic features of amyloidosis and other diseases found at necropsy in captive trumpeter swans ( Cygnus buccinator). A search of Iowa State University's Department of Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory databases yielded 31 trumpeter swan ( C. buccinator) necropsy cases from captive swans in protected habitats. Eleven of the 31 birds had amyloid deposition most commonly in the spleen (8 of 11), liver (7 of 11), and kidney (6 of 11) and less often in the pancreas (2 of 11) and adrenal gland (2 of 11). Amyloid deposition effaced normal tissue with adjacent necrosis and hemorrhage in severe cases. Amyloidosis was most often diagnosed in February and March. Other disease diagnoses in the trumpeter swans included aspergillosis (5 of 31, 16%); bacterial infection (5 of 31, 16%); lead toxicosis (3 of 31, 10%); gout (2 of 31, 6%); parasitic infection (2 of 31, 6%); vitamin E deficiency (1 of 31, 3%); trauma (1 of 31, 3%); and ventricular foreign body (1 of 31, 3%). Histopathologic, toxicologic, and microbiologic analyses did not define an etiologic diagnosis in the deaths of 9 trumpeter swans. In these cases, necropsy lesions included emaciation (5 of 9), enteritis (1 of 9), pulmonary hemorrhage (1 of 9), and no lesions (3 of 9). The number of trumpeter swan case submissions was greatest in January and February. This study provides a reference for veterinary diagnosticians concerning incidence and diagnostic features of amyloidosis and other diseases in captive trumpeter swans of the midwestern United States.

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Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) behaviour, interactions with Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina), and their Pleistocene history

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v127i2.1444 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (2) ◽

pp. 138

Author(s):

Harry G. Lumsden

Keyword(s):

Ice Sheet ◽

Chelydra Serpentina ◽

Snapping Turtle ◽

Cygnus Buccinator ◽

Snapping Turtles ◽

Trumpeter Swan ◽

Trumpeter Swans

Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) prey on and injure Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) cygnets. Adult Trumpeter Swans stamp on and attack turtles, and this sometimes saves the lives of cygnets. Stamping behaviour, duetting, clamouring, and mobbing are directed at predators. The stamping behaviour may be derived from the water treading display. During the Pleistocene ice sheet maxima, all Trumpeter Swans east of the Rockies nested within the range of the Snapping Turtle. Snapping Turtle predation may have selected for the stamping behaviour.

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Seasonal differences in migration strategies of Red Kites (Milvus milvus) wintering in Spain

Journal of Ornithology ◽

10.1007/s10336-021-01918-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jorge García-Macía ◽

Javier Vidal-Mateo ◽

Javier De La Puente ◽

Ana Bermejo ◽

Rainer Raab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spring Migration ◽

Great Variability ◽

Autumn Migration ◽

Seasonal Differences ◽

North Eastern ◽

Wintering Areas ◽

Satellite Transmitters ◽

Migration Strategies ◽

Migratory Movements ◽

Milvus Milvus

AbstractRed Kite shows a great variability in its migration strategies: most individuals in north-eastern Europe are migrants, but there is also a growing number of sedentary individuals. Here, we tagged 49 Red Kites wintering in Spain with GPS/satellite transmitters between 2013 and 2020 to study the autumn and spring migration between the breeding or summering areas in Central Europe and the wintering quarters in Spain. In first place, differences between immatures and adults were found for spring migration. Adults began the spring migration towards the northeast in February–March while the immature individuals began to migrate significantly later and showing a wider date range (February-June). Adults also takes significantly less days to arrive at their destinations (12 ± 5 days) and cover more distance per day (134.2 ± 37.1 km/day) than immatures (19 ± 11 days and 98.9 ± 21.2 km/day). In second place, we also found differences between spring and autumn migration (excluding immatures). Spring migrations were clearly faster and with less stopovers days than autumn migrations. Autumn migration began between mid-October and late November and two different behaviours were observed: most birds made a quick migration direct to the wintering areas with only some days of stopovers, but others prolonged the migration with long stops along the route. These results highlight a great variation in the migratory movements of Red Kite, not only according to age but also between individuals and seasons.

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Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator range expansion programs in the northern Rocky Mountains, USA

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/0006-3207(93)90529-a ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 191

Keyword(s):

Range Expansion ◽

Rocky Mountains ◽

Northern Rocky Mountains ◽

Cygnus Buccinator ◽

Trumpeter Swan

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Host and geographic distribution of Skrjabinoclava spp. (Nematoda: Acuarioidea) in Nearctic shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes), and evidence for transmission in marine habitats in staging and wintering areas

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z90-355 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 68 (12) ◽

pp. 2539-2552 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

P. L. Wong ◽

R. C. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Pacific Coast ◽

The United States ◽

Larval Stages ◽

Marine Habitats ◽

The Pacific ◽

Southern Alberta ◽

Wintering Areas ◽

Charadrius Wilsonia ◽

Charadrius Semipalmatus

Twelve species of shorebirds belonging to the families Charadriidae (N = 3) and Scolopacidae (N = 9) were infected with 11 species of Skrjabinoclava and there was little overlap of parasites between these two families of birds. Most Skrjabinoclava spp. are transmitted apparently in marine staging and (or) wintering areas of their hosts, as indicated by the presence of larval stages of six species. There was no evidence that transmission occurs on the breeding grounds in freshwater habitats. Skrjabinoclava tupacincai, found predominantly in sanderlings (Calidris alba (Pallas)), is transmitted on the Pacific (Washington, California, Chile) and Atlantic coasts (New Jersey) in winter and the Gulf of Mexico (Florida and Texas) in winter and spring. Skrjabinoclava myersi was found, with a single exception, only in sanderlings, and transmission is apparently restricted to coastal Washington and California in winter. Skrjabinoclava bakeri, found predominantly in western sandpipers (Calidris mauri Cabanis), is transmitted on the Pacific coast (California) and in the Gulf of Mexico in winter. Skrjabinoclava morrisoni and Skrjabinoclava pusillae were found mainly in semipalmated sandpipers (Calidrispusilla (L.)). Both parasites are transmitted in the Gulf of Mexico in spring, but S. morrisoni is also transmitted in the Bay of Fundy in fall. Skrjabinoclava inornatae, found mainly in willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (Gmelin)), is transmitted in Louisiana, Texas, and Peru in winter. Skrjabinoclava kritscheri was found only in marbled godwits (Limosafedoa (L.)), and it is suggested that infected birds collected in southern Alberta in spring acquired their infections while wintering along the Pacific coast of the United States. Skrjabinoclava hartwichi, found in black turnstones (Arenaria melanocephala (Vigors)) wintering in California and ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres (L.)) wintering in Peru, is transmitted along the Pacific coast of North America. Skrjabinoclava semipalmatae was found in semipalmated plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte) wintering in California. Skrjabinoclava wilsoniae was found in Wilson's plover (Charadrius wilsonia Ord) wintering in Texas and in a black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola (L.)) migrating through southern Alberta in spring. Skrjabinoclava bartlettae was found in black-bellied plovers collected in southern Alberta in spring and Louisiana in winter.

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Saving the Trumpeter Swan

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605300035481 ◽

1951 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 195-197

Author(s):

Freda Davies

Keyword(s):

Twentieth Century ◽

North American ◽

Cygnus Buccinator ◽

Trumpeter Swan

Around the turn of the twentieth century, North American conservationists embarked on an intensive campaign to prevent the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) from following the Passenger Pigeon into extinction.

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