Espectro trófico de la Gaviota Capucho Café (Larus maculipennis) en agroecosistemas del Sudeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

GHYS M & M FAVERO

ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL

Año: 2004 vol. 15 p. 493 - 500

1075-4377

The Brown-hooded Gull (Larus maculipennis) is strongly associated with ploughing activities. The food and feeding biology of the species was analyzed in agroecosystems of Pampas’s farmlands. We analyzed a total of 162 faeces collected in September 2000 and March 2001, together with direct observations to estimate which were the main prey taken by gulls while following the tractors. Insects and worms were the most important prey categories. Coleoptera were the main prey in September, while Orthoptera were the most important one in March (followed by Coleoptera). Direct observations revealed an important consumption of white grubs, mainly Philochloenia bonariensis and Cyclocephala signaticollis (serious pests of pampa’s crops), and worms in agroecosystems. Larus maculipennis) is strongly associated with ploughing activities. The food and feeding biology of the species was analyzed in agroecosystems of Pampas’s farmlands. We analyzed a total of 162 faeces collected in September 2000 and March 2001, together with direct observations to estimate which were the main prey taken by gulls while following the tractors. Insects and worms were the most important prey categories. Coleoptera were the main prey in September, while Orthoptera were the most important one in March (followed by Coleoptera). Direct observations revealed an important consumption of white grubs, mainly Philochloenia bonariensis and Cyclocephala signaticollis (serious pests of pampa’s crops), and worms in agroecosystems.