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Distribution and patterns of migration of a tropical seabird community in the Eastern Indian Ocean

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Abstract

We present the first detailed data on the distribution and migration patterns of four pelagic seabird species in the Eastern Indian Ocean—the Lesser Noddy (Anous tenuirostris melanops), Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) and Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) breeding at the Houtman Abrolhos and the Wedge-tailed Shearwater breeding at Varanus Island, Western Australia—tracked using geolocators during their respective non-breeding periods. Lesser Noddies remained largely in the general vicinity or slightly to the south of the colony in their non-breeding season (February–September). Brown Noddies spent their non-breeding period (March–August) in the Northwest Shelf area of Western Australia, around 950 km north of the colony. In contrast, Bridled Terns and most Wedge-tailed Shearwaters undertook extensive non-breeding migrations. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters occupied waters adjacent or to the north of their nesting sites or migrated 4200 km northwest into the equatorial central Indian Ocean near the Ninety East Ridge during the non-breeding season (late April to mid-November). These same areas were used during the sabbatical summer by Wedge-tailed Shearwaters that had deferred breeding. Bridled Terns spent their non-breeding period (April–September) in the Celebes Sea, 3800 km north of the Houtman Abrolhos. The results are discussed in the context of potential marine threats to the different species during the non-breeding period.

Zusammenfassung

Verteilung und Zugmuster einer tropischen Seevogelgemeinschaft im östlichen Indischen Ozean Wir präsentieren die ersten detaillierten Daten zu Verteilung und Zugmustern von vier pelagisch lebenden Seevogelarten im östlichen Indischen Ozean—Schlankschnabelnoddi (Anous tenuirostris melanops), Noddiseeschwalbe (Anous stolidus), Keilschwanz-Sturmtaucher (Ardenna pacifica) und Zügelseeschwalbe (Onychoprion anaethetus). Die Arten brüten im Houtman Abrolhos Archipel, der Keilschwanz-Sturmtaucher auf Varanus Island, Westaustralien. Mittels Geolokatoren wurden die Vögel außerhalb der jeweiligen Brutzeiten verfolgt. Schlankschnabelnoddis blieben außerhalb ihrer Brutzeit (Februar–September) weitgehend in der Nähe oder leicht südlich ihrer Brutkolonien. Noddiseeschwalben verbrachten ihre Nicht-Brutzeit (März–August) in der nordwestlichen Schelfzone West-Australiens, rund 950 km nördlich der Brutkolonie. Im Gegensatz dazu unternahmen die Zügelseeschwalben und die meisten Keilschwanz-Sturmtaucher ausgedehnte Wanderungen nach der Brutzeit. Keilschwanz-Sturmtaucher besuchten angrenzende bzw. nördlich ihrer Brutgebiete gelegene Gewässer oder zogen 4200 km nordwestlich in die Nähe des Neunzig-Grad-Ost-Rückens im äquatorialen Bereich des Indischen Ozeans (Ende April–Mitte November). Diese Gebiete nutzten auch Keilschwanz-Sturmtaucher, die mit der Brut aussetzten. Zügelseeschwalben verbrachten die Zeit außerhalb ihrer Brutsaison (April bis September) in der Celebes See, 3800 km nördlich des Houtman Abrolhos Archipels. Die Ergebnisse werden für die einzelnen Arten im Kontext potentieller mariner Gefährdungen und Bedrohungen diskutiert.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Shae Surman, Paul Fry and Alan Cottingham for their assistance in the field. Logistical support was kindly provided by the crew of the Department of Fisheries patrol vessels (PV) Chalmers and PV Houtman. We are particularly indebted to Greg Finlay of the Department of Fisheries and Murray Davidson, Pia Boschetti, Ashley Newton, Justin Peretina and James MacFarlane of the Pelsaert Group, Houtman Abrolhos and Quadrant Energy, Varanus Island for their support. Mark Carey and Chris Hassel kindly provided leg bands and advice. This research was conducted with the permission of Western Australia’s Department of Parks and Wildlife regulation 23 (BB003684) and regulation 17 (SF010903) the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (Authority no. 1803) and the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Halfmoon Biosciences, 45 Heather Road, Ocean Beach, WA, 6333, Australia

    Christopher A. Surman & Lisa W. Nicholson

  2. British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK

    Richard A. Phillips

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  1. Christopher A. Surman
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  2. Lisa W. Nicholson
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  3. Richard A. Phillips
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Correspondence to Christopher A. Surman.

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Communicated by N. Chernetsov.

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Surman, C.A., Nicholson, L.W. & Phillips, R.A. Distribution and patterns of migration of a tropical seabird community in the Eastern Indian Ocean. J Ornithol 159, 867–877 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-018-1556-x

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