Observations of multispecies seabird flocks around South Georgia

Harrison, Nancy M.; Whitehouse, Michael J.; Heinemann, Dennis; Prince, Peter A.; Hunt, George L.; Veit, Richard R.. 1991 Observations of multispecies seabird flocks around South Georgia. Auk, 108 (4). 801-810.

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Abstract/Summary

We observed 195 multispecies feeding flocks of birds near Bird Island, South Georgia, between 4 February and 5 March in 1986. Up to 19 seabird species plus Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) were involved. Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophris), Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus), and prions (Pachyptila spp.) were the most abundant species. Most flocks were in the vicinity of a large inshore patch of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), and most observed feeding was by Black-browed Albatross, which appeared to initiate and dominate the flocks. Short feeding bouts by surface-feeding species appeared to be coupled with the surfacing of penguins and seals. We conclude that foraging penguins and seals caused prey to approach the surface where near-surface foraging species could feed.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
ISSN:	00048038
Date made live:	25 Apr 2018 11:04 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/519891

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