Division of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Publication Details

Further evidence for site fidelity to wing molt locations by king Eiders: Integrating stable isotope analyses and satellite telemetry

  • Reference: Knoche, M. J., A. N. Powell, L. T. Quakenbush, M. J. Wooller, and L. M. Phillips. 2007. Further evidence for site fidelity to wing molt locations by king Eiders: Integrating stable isotope analyses and satellite telemetry. Waterbirds 30(1):52–57. http://doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2007)030[0052:FEFSFT]2.0.CO;2
  • Audiences: Scientist
  • Authors: Michael J. Knoche, Laura M. Phillips, Abby N. Powell, Lori T. Quakenbush, Matthew J. Wooller
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  • Keywords: Studies using stable-isotope analyses of feathers to determine molt locations in marine birds are increasingly common but generally lack verification through ground-truthing. In this study, we examined the stable isotope compositions of wing feathers from King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis) implanted with satellite-transmitters. We compared stable carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen isotope compositions ( δ13C,δ15N, andδD, respectively) of primary feathers with the geographic location of wing molt in the subsequent year. Longitude of molt locations of eiders was highly correlated with δ13C (r2 = 0.69, N = 12) and δ D (r2 = 0.90, N = 12) isotope values from their primary feathers grown in the previous year. There was no relationship between δ15N and location of wing molt (r2 = 0.007, N = 12). The results of this study provide further evidence for site fidelity during wing molt by King Eiders.
  • Link: http://doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2007)030[0052:FEFSFT]2.0.CO, 2 (Offsite)
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  • Primary Authors: Michael J. Knoche
  • Programs: Waterfowl
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  • Publication Types: Journal Article/External Publication
  • Regions: Region V - Arctic and Western Alaska, Statewide
  • Species: King Eider
  • Species Categories: Birds, Waterfowl
  • Title: Further evidence for site fidelity to wing molt locations by king Eiders: Integrating stable isotope analyses and satellite telemetry
  • Topics: Research, Behavioral Ecology
  • Year: 2007

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