Reproductive Biology of Vancouver Canada Geese on Admiralty Island, Alaska
Lebeda CS and Ratti JT. 1983. Reproductive Biology of Vancouver Canada Geese on Admiralty Island, Alaska. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 47(2):297-306
The nesting and brood-rearing biology of Vancouver Canada geese (Branta canadensis fulva) was studied during April-August 1979 in Seymour Canal, Admiralty Island, Alaska. Nineteen active nests (avg. 86 search hours each) and 7 nests from previous years were located, 22 of which were in forest habitat. Geese used interior forest trees for perching during incubation; this behavior and forest nesting are unique. Mean clutch size was 4.4 (SD = 1.3) eggs, and 1 or more eggs hatched from 55.6% of all nests. Total hatching success of all eggs was 62.0%. Forest habitats were used extensively for early brood-rearing and broods avoided large bodies of water. Habitat use shifted to forest edge and intertidal zones with increased age of goslings. Forest habitats were used as escape cover by breeding adults and broods. Nesting and brood-rearing habitats were similar. Molting and nonbreeding geese also used forest habitats. American yellow-skunkcabbage (Lysichitum americanum) comprised 23.8% of foods used and appeared to be the most important food during brood-rearing. Plant matter comprised the bulk of food items used.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Lebeda, Charles; Ratti, John
- Units
- GLBA , KLGO , SITK , SEAN
- Keywords
- Birds, Branta canadensis fulva, Breeding Biology, Brood-Rearing, Geese, Habitat Use, Lysichitum americanum, Nest Sites, Nesting, Old-Growth Forest, Waterfowl