Journal article

Publication year: 2004

Pages: 613-622

Journal: Polar Biology

Volume number: 27

Issue number: 10

ISSN: 0722-4060

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0627-z

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
We examined the natural variation in parameters of the breeding success of Wilson's storm-petrels on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, during seven breeding seasons, and determined the relative influence of krill abundance and climatic conditions. Feeding frequencies, feeding rates and meal sizes varied between years, and feeding rates were correlated with data of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba abundance in the Elephant Island region. The overall breeding success of breeding pairs was low, ranging from 0 to 34%. Snow storms and wind conditions depressed breeding success even in years of good food availability, and snow storms were the most important determinant of the breeding success over the seven seasons. Snow storms during the breeding season occurred during periods of prevailing easterly winds. In addition, the distribution of wind directions was found to strongly influence the krill availability to storm-petrels.

Harvard Citation style: Büßer, C., Kahles, A. and Quillfeldt, P. (2004) Breeding success and chick provisioning in Wilson's storm-petrels Oceanites oceanicus over seven years : frequent failures due to food shortage and entombment, Polar Biology, 27(10), pp. 613-622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0627-z

APA Citation style: Büßer, C., Kahles, A., & Quillfeldt, P. (2004). Breeding success and chick provisioning in Wilson's storm-petrels Oceanites oceanicus over seven years : frequent failures due to food shortage and entombment. Polar Biology. 27(10), 613-622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0627-z