The costs of raising nidifugous offspring: brood rearing by giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Seddon ◽  
Thomas D. Nudds
Keyword(s):  
Brood Size ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Branta Canadensis ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Predator Detection ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Competing Hypotheses ◽  
Branta Canadensis Maxima ◽  
Time Spent Feeding

Competing hypotheses that have been advanced to explain the phenomenon of posthatch brood mixing by waterfowl can be distinguished by whether they assume that adults experience costs in rearing nidifugous offspring. To test this, time budget data were collected for giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) at Cambridge, Ontario, in 1990. Breeding adults with broods devoted more time to vigilance (p = 0.001) and less time to feeding (p = 0.001) than adults that hatched clutches but were without broods, suggesting a cost to rearing nidifugous young. However, as goslings matured, parents allocated less time to vigilance (p < 0.001) and more time to locomotion (p = 0.005), and time spent feeding did not change (p = 0.336). In addition, brood size did not affect the time parents allocated to vigilance (p = 0.543) or feeding (p = 0.727), suggesting that caring for additional young has negligible effects on parents. Goslings were selective about the adult with which they associated (they were positioned closer to females than to males), but neither brood size nor brood age affected the feeding time of goslings (p = 0.94 and 0.76, respectively) or time spent vigilant (p = 0.22 and 0.69, respectively), suggesting that goslings gained no obvious advantage from greater foraging opportunities or better predator detection by congregating in larger broods.

scholarly journals Distribution and use of brood-rearing and moulting sites of the Atlantic population of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in Nunavik, Quebec

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Richard C. Cotter
Keyword(s):  
Branta Canadensis ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Nesting Ecology ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Atlantic Population ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Shallow Bay ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Coastal Lowlands

The Atlantic population of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) nests in the coastal lowlands of eastern Hudson Bay and southwestern Ungava Bay in Nunavik, Quebec. Although many aspects of the nesting ecology of this and other northern populations of Canada Geese have been studied and published, there is a paucity of information on the use of brood-rearing and moulting sites. Based on 18 years of band and recapture data from an ongoing banding program, this paper presents the distribution of brood-rearing and moulting sites and the use of these sites over time. Along Hudson Bay and Ungava Bay, the most important brood-rearing and moulting areas are the stretch of coastal lowlands between the Mariet River and Shallow Bay and between Rivière aux Feuilles and Virgin Lake, respectively. Of all adult geese captured during the banding program (n = 41 924), 7.5% (standard error [SE] 0.13%) were recaptures, that is, birds that had previously been caught and banded; annual recapture rates ranged from 5.1% to 11.4%. The mean and median distances between the site of first recapture and the original site of capture were 4.3 km (SE 0.22 km) and 1.5 km, respectively. Juveniles moved, on average, 5.4 km farther than adults and males moved 1.4 km farther than females. Among geese banded as juveniles, males moved twice as far as females: 11.5 km versus 5.7 km.

Mate retention in Giant Canada Geese

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 2766-2768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis G. Raveling
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
The Other ◽  
Branta Canadensis ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Paired Data ◽  
Mate Retention ◽  
Branta Canadensis Maxima ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Of 73 pairs of Giant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis maxima) in which both members of the pair were marked with individually identifiable neckbands, 68 (93%) remained together for as long as both members were alive or retained their markers. Collectively, these data represent 183 years of pair histories (sum of pairs × years of records). One pair that had raised a brood in the summer they were captured and marked separated during the next breeding season; neither re-paired with another bird, and then they rejoined the following autumn and remained together for five consecutive breeding seasons (and winters). Members of four (5.5%) pairs obtained new mates while their former mates were still alive. Of 17 surviving members of pairs in which the mate died (or disappeared) over winter, 15 (88%) re-paired. Data on reproductive success of 4 of these new pairs were not obtained, but 10 of 11 of the other new pairs successfully reared broods.

The Breeding Behaviour of the Pink-Footed Goose: Parental Care and Vigilant Behaviour During the Fledging Period

Behaviour ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 65 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 62-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazarus John ◽  
Inglis I.R.
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Parental Investment ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Anser Brachyrhynchus ◽  
Term Pair ◽  
Pink Footed Goose

In this study we describe the pattern of parental investment in the pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) during the fledging period in Iceland, concentrating particularly on the analysis of vigilant behaviour as one important element of parental care. We quantify parental investment, and its cost to the parent, by comparing the behaviour of parents with that of 'pairs' of adults without young (most of which are probably failed breeders). Each partner's strategy of investment is not expected to be purely selfish in this long-term pair-bonding species, and the sex differences in parental care are examined in this light. The time budgets of parents and pairs differed, parents walking more, grazing more and preening less. Parents also spent more time in the extreme head up posture and less in the head low and head on back postures than pairs but time devoted to the head up posture was the same for both. Brood size had no effect on the time budget. Time spent extreme head up declined over the study period in parents but not in pairs. Spacing patterns and behaviour varied independently in non-breeding birds but families sat closer to other geese when the vigilance level of the parents was low (i.e. in the head on back or head low postures) than when it was high (the head up or extreme head up postures). All agonistic encounters between parents and non-breeders were both initiated and won by the parents. Tied encounters occurred between birds of equivalent status in terms of brood size or non-breeding group size. The potential sources of parental care are summarized (Table 6) and, after considering the evidence for each, it is concluded that (apart from brooding) two types of parental investment are made by parents: (1) enhancement of offspring feeding efficiency by reducing competition through agonistic behaviour, and perhaps avoidance; and (2) protection from predators by (a) active defence, (b) seeking proximity with other geese when resting, and (c) visual scanning for predators (mainly by the male) using the extreme head up posture. Parents paid for this investment by devoting less time to preening and sleeping. The male's investment in predator vigilance was made at the cost of a reduced feeding time and to compensate for this he pecked at a faster rate than his mate. These sex differences are explicable in terms of earlier differences during incubation. The adoption of unrelated goslings was observed and the implications of the phenomenon are discussed. For individuals in non-breeding groups the time spent extreme head up declined as group size increased. The functional significance of this finding is discussed and it is concluded that in sitting groups extreme head up is probably used to scan for predators.

The Breeding Behaviour of the Pink-Footed Goose: Parental Care and Vigilant Behaviour During the Fledging Period

Behaviour ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 65 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 62-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazarus John ◽  
Inglis I.R.
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Parental Investment ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Anser Brachyrhynchus ◽  
Term Pair ◽  
Pink Footed Goose

In this study we describe the pattern of parental investment in the pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) during the fledging period in Iceland, concentrating particularly on the analysis of vigilant behaviour as one important element of parental care. We quantify parental investment, and its cost to the parent, by comparing the behaviour of parents with that of 'pairs' of adults without young (most of which are probably failed breeders). Each partner's strategy of investment is not expected to be purely selfish in this long-term pair-bonding species, and the sex differences in parental care are examined in this light. The time budgets of parents and pairs differed, parents walking more, grazing more and preening less. Parents also spent more time in the extreme head up posture and less in the head low and head on back postures than pairs but time devoted to the head up posture was the same for both. Brood size had no effect on the time budget. Time spent extreme head up declined over the study period in parents but not in pairs. Spacing patterns and behaviour varied independently in non-breeding birds but families sat closer to other geese when the vigilance level of the parents was low (i.e. in the head on back or head low postures) than when it was high (the head up or extreme head up postures). All agonistic encounters between parents and non-breeders were both initiated and won by the parents. Tied encounters occurred between birds of equivalent status in terms of brood size or non-breeding group size. The potential sources of parental care are summarized (Table 6) and, after considering the evidence for each, it is concluded that (apart from brooding) two types of parental investment are made by parents: (1) enhancement of offspring feeding efficiency by reducing competition through agonistic behaviour, and perhaps avoidance; and (2) protection from predators by (a) active defence, (b) seeking proximity with other geese when resting, and (c) visual scanning for predators (mainly by the male) using the extreme head up posture. Parents paid for this investment by devoting less time to preening and sleeping. The male's investment in predator vigilance was made at the cost of a reduced feeding time and to compensate for this he pecked at a faster rate than his mate. These sex differences are explicable in terms of earlier differences during incubation. The adoption of unrelated goslings was observed and the implications of the phenomenon are discussed. For individuals in non-breeding groups the time spent extreme head up declined as group size increased. The functional significance of this finding is discussed and it is concluded that in sitting groups extreme head up is probably used to scan for predators.

scholarly journals Feeding Ecology of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Interior) in Sub-Arctic Inland Tundra During Brood-Rearing

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Christine Cadieux ◽  
Gilles Gauthier ◽  
R. John Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Branta Canadensis ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Branta Canadensis Interior ◽  
Sedge Meadows

AbstractThe diet of adult Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) and their goslings was determined during the brood-rearing season in a freshwater tundra habitat using esophageal contents from 25 adult females, 27 adult males, and 59 goslings. Habitat use by geese and the availability and quality of aboveground biomass in wet sedge meadows and around ponds in lichen-heath tundra were also evaluated throughout the summer. During the first four weeks of brood-rearing, adult Canada Geese ate primarily graminoids (>65%), especially leaves of the short form of Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum spp., which had the highest nitrogen concentration (2.5–3.5%). Although graminoids were also important for goslings, they consumed a greater variety of other plant species (68%) than adults, especially in the first two weeks, possibly because of their inexperience. Late in the brood-rearing period, as the nitrogen concentration of graminoid plants declined, adults shifted to a diet composed mainly of berries (>40%, mostly Empetrum nigrum). At that time, goslings consumed fewer berries (24%) and maintained a higher proportion of nitrogen-rich plants in their diet (53% leaves, mostly graminoids) than adults, presumably to complete their growth. Plant species consumed by geese over the summer indicated a preference for high-quality plants (i.e. those with a high nitrogen concentration). Consequently, wet sedge meadow, the habitat that offered plant species of highest quality, was the habitat most heavily used throughout the summer, particularly around peak hatch. Goose grazing had no effect on seasonal production of aboveground biomass of graminoids, probably because of the relatively low density of the goose population.Écologie alimentaire de Branta canadensis interior pendant la période d’élevage des jeunes dans un milieu d’eau douce sub-arctique

scholarly journals Glaucous Gull Predation of Goslings on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-298
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Bowman ◽  
Robert A. Stehn ◽  
Kim T. Scribner
Keyword(s):  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Branta Canadensis ◽  
Canada Goose ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Anser Albifrons ◽  
Stratified Sample ◽  
Larus Hyperboreus ◽  
Survey Estimates ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Glaucous Gulls (Larus hyperboreus) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta frequently prey on juvenile waterfowl. We collected 434 Glaucous Gulls from late June to early August 1994 to examine diet. Identification of undigested prey tissue, based on DNA microsatellite loci, showed three species of goslings in gull stomachs: Emperor Goose (Chen canagica), White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), and Cackling Canada Goose (Branta canadensis minima). Gulls that nested inland and were collected >1.6 km from the coast accounted for approximately 70% of the total gull predation on Emperor and Canada Geese, and 96% on White-fronted Geese. Our stratified sample of gull stomachs and aerial survey estimates of population size and distribution of gulls and juvenile geese enabled extrapolation of species-specific predation rates to the entire Y-K Delta. We estimated that a minimum of 21 000 Emperor Goose, 34 000 Canada Goose, and 16 000 White- fronted Goose goslings were consumed by 12 600 Glaucous Gulls during the brood-rearing period on the Y-K Delta in 1994. Minimum estimated take by gulls represented 33% of Cackling Canada Goose, 47% of Emperor Goose, and 39% of White-fronted Goose eggs estimated to have hatched in the same area as gull collections. Gulls selected the three species of geese approximately in proportion to their abundance. Although gull predation caused significant gosling mortality, its role in regulating goose populations on Y-K Delta remains unresolved. Depredación de Pichones de Gansos por Gaviotas Larus hyperboreus en el Delta del Yukon-Kuskokwim, Alaska Resumen. Las gaviotas Larus hyperboreus que nidifican en el delta del Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) depredan aves acuáticas juveniles con frecuencia. Para examinar su dieta, colectamos 434 gaviotas de esta especie entre finales de junio y principios de agosto de 1994. Identificamos los tejidos de presas no digeridos con base en loci de ADN microsatelital y encontramos pichones de tres especies de gansos (Chen canagica, Anser albifrons y Branta canadensis minima) en los estómagos de las gaviotas. Las gaviotas que estaban nidificando tierra adentro y que fueron colectadas a más de 1.6 km de la costa representaron aproximadamente el 70% del total de las depredaciones de C. canagica y B. canadensis y el 96% de las de A. albifrons. Nuestra muestra estratificada de estómagos de gaviotas, junto con estimaciones del tamaño poblacional de las gaviotas y gansos juveniles hechas mediante censos desde el aire, permitieron hacer extrapolaciones de tasas de depredación especie- específicas para todo el delta Y-K. Los números estimados mínimos de pichones depredados por 12 600 gaviotas en el delta durante el período de cría de 1994 fueron 21 000 C. canagica, 34 000 B. canadensis y 16 000 A. albifrons. Estimamos que en lás áreas en que fueron colectadas, las gaviotas consumieron como mínimo el 33%, 47% y 39% del número estimado de huevos allí eclosionados de B. canadensis, C. canagica y A. albifrons, respectivamente. Las gaviotas seleccionaron a las tres especies de gansos aproximadamente en proporción a su abundancia. Aunque la depredación por gaviotas causó una mortalidad significativa de los pichones, aún debe determinarse su papel en la regulación de las poblaciones de gansos en el delta Y-K.

Coccidia of Canada geese(Branta canadensis) at Kortright Waterfowl Park, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with description of Isospora anseris n.sp.

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Skene ◽  
O. Remmler ◽  
M. A. Fernando
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Branta Canadensis ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
A New Species

A survey of adult Canada geese, Branta canadensis, at Kortright Waterfowl Park in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, showed that 20% of the geese sampled passed small numbers of coccidial oocysts throughout the winter months (October 1975 to February 1976). Four species of coccidia, Eimeria hermani Farr, 1953, E. magnalabia Levine, 1951, E. truncata (Raillet and Lucet, 1891) Wasielewski, 1904, and Tyzzeria parvula (Kotlan, 1933) Klimes, 1963, were identified from the samples examined. A hitherto undescribed Isospora sp. was found in 5% of the fecal samples. It is named Isospora anseris and described as a new species. In the spring goslings were found to be passing E. hermani oocysts between the 8th and 13th day of hatching.

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