Interhabitat Movements by Sanderlings in Relation to Foraging Profitability and the Tidal Cycle
Connors PG, Myers JP, Connors CS, Pitelka FA. 1981. Interhabitat Movements by Sanderlings in Relation to Foraging Profitability and the Tidal Cycle. The Auk. 98(1):49-64
Sanderlings wintering near Bodega Bay, California move between outer coast sandy beaches and nearby harbor sandflats on a regular tidal schedule. Birds forage on outer beaches at high tides, switching to the protected sandflats as the tide recedes; Sanderling density fluctuations measured along transects were complementary in these two habiats. Some Sanderlings defended territories on the beaches, while others foraged in flocks, both groups moved to the lagoon tidal flats at low tide. Results suggest that Sanderlings switch feeding sites on a tidal schedule to maximize foraging efficiency.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Connors, Peter; Myers, J.; Connors, Carolyn; Pitelka, F.
- Units
- PORE
- Keywords
- avian biology, Bodega Bay California, Sanderlings (Calidris alba), Shorebirds, tidal effects