학술논문
Small tube-nosed seabirds fledge on the full moon and throughout the lunar cycle.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Collins SM; Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada.; Hedd A; Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.; Montevecchi WA; Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada.; Burt TV; Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada.; Wilson DR; Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada.; Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John's, Canada.; Fifield DA; Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Source
Publisher: The Royal Society Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101247722 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1744-957X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17449561 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Biol Lett Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Many seabirds are attracted to anthropogenic light, and the risk is greater for recent fledglings. Moon phase predicts the probability of stranding (fewer birds strand on the full moon), but it remains uncertain whether moon phase is associated with when young seabirds fledge. Fledging behaviour of nocturnal, burrowing seabirds can be difficult to monitor using traditional methods but can provide insight into environmental factors that influence the risk of stranding. We used passive integrated transponder tags to monitor the fledging dates and times of Leach's storm-petrel ( Hydrobates leucorhous ) chicks across four breeding seasons (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022) at a major colony in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. We also assessed whether moon phase and incident illumination related to fledging date and time. The median fledge time was 1.6 h after sunset (0.6-11.7 h). The median fledge date was 10 October, and fledging dates ranged from 13 September to 13 November. Most importantly, moon phase was not associated with the time and date that Leach's storm-petrel chicks fledged. These results suggest that recently fledged storm-petrels are less attracted to anthropogenic light during high levels of natural illumination, which could indicate periods of higher stranding risk and help concentrate conservation efforts.