Diet patterns of black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Carney CB. 2013. Diet patterns of black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Many coastal species, including black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) are the focus of conservation concern and protective management. A greater understanding of basic life history information, including diet, will lead to more successful conservation efforts of these species. I examined the proportional contribution of various prey groups to the assimilated diet of adult breeding black oystercatchers at sites in the northern Gulf of Alaska. I conducted field and captive studies and used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of prey items, blood, and feathers to determine isotope discrimination factors as well as spring and summer diet patterns. Mean signatures of blood were -17.4‰ (± 0.71‰) δ13C and 11.58‰ (± 0.53‰) δ15N and mean signatures of feathers were - 15.77‰ (± 0.42‰) δ13C and 13.39‰ (± 0.37‰) δ15N. Using the SIAR mixing model, I estimated summer diet to consist of 52% mussels (95% CI: 37-63%), 41% limpets (95% CI: 29-55%), and 4% dogwinkles (95% CI: 0-8%). These results are the first use of stable isotopes to determine the diet of black oystercatchers. This baseline information will serve as a point from which to evaluate consequences of predicted changes to the intertidal ecosystem associated with climate change.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Carney, Celeste
- Date of Issue
- 2013-12
- Units
- KEFJ , SWAN
- Keywords
- Black oystercatcher, Diet, dogwinkle, limpet, Mussel, stable isotope, thesis
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Intertidal Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds