Do naive juvenile seabirds forage differently from adults?

Area of Science:

• Ornithology
• Animal Behaviour
• Ecology

Background:

• Juvenile foraging inefficiency is often cited as a cause of high mortality and delayed maturity in long-lived species.
• Limited research exists on the foraging behavior of young seabirds, particularly during their initial independence and immature stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the foraging movements and capacities of juvenile, immature, and adult wandering albatrosses (Diomedea exulans).
• To investigate the role of innate versus learned behaviors in the development of foraging skills.
• To understand the implications of foraging development for survival and reproductive success.

Main Methods:

• Satellite telemetry was employed to track the movements of juvenile, immature, and adult wandering albatrosses.
• Foraging trip durations and distances covered were analyzed and compared across age classes.
• Movement patterns were examined in relation to environmental features like shelf edges and oceanic zones.

Main Results:

• Juveniles covered shorter distances and spent more time resting on water than adults in the early months post-fledging.
• Juveniles did not restrict movements to specific foraging areas, unlike adults and immatures, suggesting a learning process for locating resources.
• Immatures and adults showed similar movement capacities, but immatures undertook shorter trips when central-place foraging, indicating learning constraints related to reproduction.

Conclusions:

• Wandering albatross foraging behavior is a blend of innate abilities and progressive learning throughout immaturity.
• The initial months after fledging are critical for survival, with learning essential for developing efficient foraging strategies.
• The extended immaturity period is vital for young albatrosses to acquire the complex skills needed for successful breeding without compromising fitness.