Lévy patterns in seabirds are multifaceted describing both spatial and temporal patterning.

Area of Science:

• Ornithology
• Animal Behavior
• Mathematical Biology

Background:

• Lévy flight research extensively uses albatross and shearwater flight patterns.
• Paul Lévy, the mathematician, is honored by the naming of Lévy flights.
• Lévy patterns, characterized by power-law tails, are observed in shearwater spatial and temporal activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Lévy patterns in the at-sea behaviors of two shearwater species.
• To determine if Lévy patterns are present in flight durations, on/in water durations, and inter-dive time intervals.

Main Methods:

• Studied two shearwater species: Calonectris borealis (North Atlantic) and C. diomedea (Mediterranean).
• Observed birds during incubating and chick-provisioning periods.
• Analyzed flight durations, on/in water durations, and inter-dive time intervals for power-law distributions.

Main Results:

• Distributions of flight durations exhibited power-law tails, indicating Lévy patterns.
• Distributions of on/in water durations showed power-law tails, consistent with Lévy patterns.
• Inter-dive time intervals also displayed power-law tails, further supporting Lévy patterns.

Conclusions:

• Shearwater behavior demonstrates multifaceted Lévy patterns beyond spatial movements.
• These statistical laws in behavior are notable given individual motivation and environmental factors.
• The findings advance Lévy pattern models of animal behavior by integrating various activities.