Abstract
The diurnal and seasonal occurrence of flight foraging for midges (Chironomidae) by Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus was studied at a shallow semi-eutrophic lake in South Sweden and their capture rates were recorded. The gulls captured 0.28 chiromids s−1 (1,012 h−1). With a dry mass of 2.08 mg ind−1 and an energy content of 22.7 kJ g−1, they achieved an energy intake of c.47 kJ h−1. It seems that estimates of flight costs may have been over-estimated, and it is concluded that aerial feeding on chironomids by Black-headed Gulls results in a positive energy balance.
Zusammenfassung
Lachmöwen Chroicocephalus ridibundus jagen Zuckmücken im Flug: Wurden die Flugenergiekosten bisher überschätzt?
Wir beobachteten das tageweise und jahreszeitliche Auftreten von Flugjagden nach Zuckmücken (Chironomidae) bei Lachmöwen Chroicocephalus ridibundus an einem flachen semieutrophen See in Südschweden und notierten die jeweiligen Fangquoten. Die Möwen erbeuteten 0,28 Zuckmücken/Sekunde (1012/Stunde). Bei einer Trockenmasse von 2,08 mg pro Individuum und einem Energiegehalt von 22,7 kJ/Gramm ergibt sich so eine Energiezufuhr von etwa 47 kJ/Stunde. Es scheint daher, dass die Flugenergiekosten bisher möglicherweise überschätzt wurden und der Schluss liegt nahe, dass die Flugjagd auf Zuckmücken für die Lachmöwen in einer positiven Energiebilanz resultiert.
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Källander, H. Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus capturing chironomids in flight: have flight costs been overestimated?. J Ornithol 155, 825–827 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-014-1055-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-014-1055-7