Diving behaviour of the grey-headed albatross

Huin, N.; Prince, P.A.. 1997 Diving behaviour of the grey-headed albatross. Antarctic Science, 9 (3). 243-249. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102097000321

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Abstract/Summary

Foraging grey-headed albatrosses spent 86% of the night but only 20% of the day sitting on the sea; most diving activity occurred during daylight. During the broad-guard period of nesting, peaks of diving activity occurred at midday and dusk. During the subsequent chick-rearing period, however, diving was mainly at dawn and dusk. Of 485 dives measured, the depth averaged 0.74 m, with maximum depth at 6.5 m. On average grey-headed albatrosses dived 24 times during a five day foraging trip. Dive depths increased towards midday, probably as a function of the birds' visual acuity rather than due to vertical migration of their prey. We estimate that grey-headed albatrosses may obtain 30–45% of their daily food requirements by diving.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102097000321
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Pre 2000 programme
ISSN:	0954-1020
Additional Keywords:	Biomedea chrysostoma, diving, foraging behaviour, Scotia Sea, South Georgia
Date made live:	14 Sep 2016 09:09 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/514493

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