Foraging ecology of Pale-faced Sheathbills in colonies of Southern Elephant Seals at King George Island, Antarctica

FAVERO M.

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Año: 1996 vol. 67 p. 292 - 299

0273-8570

Abstract.-•The Pale-faced Sheathbill (Chionis alba) is an opportunistic predator-scavenger. During spring in Antarctica it foraged in colonies of southern elephant seals, obtaining placentas,p up carcassesm, ilk from nursing cows,b lood, and feces.A fterbirths and pup carcassecso nstitutedt he bulk of the food consumedD. aily consumptione stimatesa veraged 67 g/bird for placentaa nd 11 g/bird for pup carcassews,h ich are 54% and 26% of daily energy requirementsr, espectivelyS. heathbillss pent 86% of the day foragingo r displaying and 14% restingo r preening.A ctivelyf eedingb irds spent3 8% of the time searching for food, 20% feeding,2 3% resting,1 4% on comforta ctivitiesa, nd 3% in agonisticb ehaviors 67 g/bird for placentaa nd 11 g/bird for pup carcassews,h ich are 54% and 26% of daily energy requirementsr, espectivelyS. heathbillss pent 86% of the day foragingo r displaying and 14% restingo r preening.A ctivelyf eedingb irds spent3 8% of the time searching for food, 20% feeding,2 3% resting,1 4% on comforta ctivitiesa, nd 3% in agonisticb ehaviors