Avian Conservation and Ecology (Jun 2021)
Estimating the relative use of anthropogenic resources by Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in the Bay of Fundy, Canada
Abstract
Gulls (Larus spp.) are described as generalist, opportunistic feeders that show great flexibility in habitat use. Despite an apparent advantage in changing landscapes, many Larus populations have declined in eastern North America since the 1990s. The main hypothesis explaining gull declines at a broad scale is a decrease in total food availability, especially anthropogenically derived fisheries discards and human refuse as industries and cities have improved their management practices. However, it is difficult to quantify the total proportion of gull diet subsidized by humans to test this hypothesis because many common prey items can be traced to both anthropogenic and nonanthropogenic sources. Our aim was to estimate the proportion of diet derived from anthropogenic food sources for Herring Gull (L. argentatus) during the breeding season at the two largest colonies in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, which are located 36 km apart. GPS loggers were deployed to quantify spatiotemporal movement patterns, and whole blood and feather samples were collected for δ13C and δ15N stable-isotope analysis to estimate diet composition during the incubation and chick-rearing stages of the breeding season. Results indicate that there is spatial segregation in the foraging areas used by gulls from the two colonies. All gulls relied on a variety of anthropogenic food sources, with some individuals selecting heavily on fisheries (i.e., active town wharfs, fish packaging plants, aquaculture pens) and mink (Neovison vison) fur farms. Landfills were not a significant source of food during the breeding season. Our study provides valuable information about the relative reliance of gulls on anthropogenic food subsidies, providing insight into how changing industry practices may affect patterns in nesting and foraging by gulls in the region.
