SpringerLink
Log in

The diet of Atlantic Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis atlantis) at an oceanic seabird colony: estimating predatory impact upon breeding petrels

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Wildlife Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The diet and breeding ecology of Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis atlantis) were studied on Selvagem Grande, North Atlantic in the nesting season of 2007. We collected and analyzed 715 pellets from adults. The most frequent prey were White-faced Storm-petrels (Pelagodroma marina; present on 40.8% of all pellets) and the endemic land snails (Theba macandrewiana; present on 36.5% of all pellets). Other birds, namely Cory’s Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea), Macaronesian Shearwaters (Puffinus assimilis), Bulwer’s Petrels (Bulweria bulwerii), and Band-rumped Storm-petrels (Oceanodroma castro) were relatively less frequent, but overall, seabirds were present in ca. 50% of all pellets, representing an estimated 60.4% of all mass consumed by gulls. We estimate that the contribution of seabirds to the overall caloric balance accounted for 82.5% of all energy consumed. The number of gull pairs breeding on Selvagem Grande was 12 on 2005 and 2007. Breeding success was low (0.92 and 0.25 juveniles per breeding pair, respectively). Using a simple bioenergetics model, we estimate the breeding gull population to have the potential to consume approximately 4,847 adult/sub-adult seabirds in 3.5 months in order to meet its energetic requirements. The importance of the estimated predation levels is discussed and some management actions are suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barrett RT, Camphuysen K, Anker-Nilssen T, Chardine JW, Furness RW, Garthe S, Hüppop O, Leopold MF, Montevecchi WA, Veit RR (2007) Diet studies of seabirds: a review and recommendations. ICES J Mar Sci 64:1675–1691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belant JL, Seamans TW, Gabrey SW, Ickes SK (1993) Importance of landfills to nesting herring gulls. Condor 95:817–830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birt-Friesen VL, Montevecchi WA, Cairns DK, Macko SA (1989) Activity-specific metabolic rates of free-living Northern Gannets and other seabirds. Ecology 70:357–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosch M, Oro D, Cantos FJ, Zabala M (2000) Short-term effects of culling on the ecology and population dynamics of the yellow-legged gull. J Appl Ecol 37:369–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campos A, Granadeiro JP (1999) Breeding biology of the White-faced Storm-Petrel on Selvagem Grande, North-East Atlantic. Waterbirds 22(2):199–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey C, Rahn H, Paris P (1980) Calories, water, lipid and yolk in avian eggs. Condor 82:335–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cramp S, Simmons KEL (1983) The birds of the Western Palearctic, vol 3. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa LT, Nunes M, Geraldes P, Costa H (2003) Zonas importantes para as Aves em Portugal. SPEA, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramp S (1988) The birds of the Western Palearctic, vol 5. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Den Hartog JC, Nørrevang A, Zino PA (1984) Bird observations in the Selvagens Islands (21-23 October 1978 and 27 May-7 June 1981). Bol Mus Mun Funchal 36(160):111–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Drent RH, Klaassen M, Zwaan B (1992) Predictive growth budgets in terns and gulls. Ardea 80:5–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Duhem C, Roche P, Vidal E, Tatoni T (2008) Effects of anthropogenic food resources on yellow-legged gull colony size on Mediterranean islands. Pop Ecol 50:91–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Equipa Atlas (2008) Atlas das aves nidificantes em Portugal (1999-2005). Assírio & Alvim, Lisboa

  • Furness RW, Ensor K, Hudson AV (1992) The use of fishery discards by gull populations around the British Isles. Ardea 80:105–113

    Google Scholar 

  • González-Solís J, Oro D, Pedrocchi V, Jover L, Ruiz X (1997) Bias associated with diet samples in Audouin’s Gulls. Condor 99:773–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granadeiro JP, Dias MP, Rebelo R, Santos CD, Catry P (2006) Numbers and population trends of Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea at Selvagem Grande, northeast Atlantic. Waterbirds 29:56–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillemette M, Brousseau P (2001) Does culling predatory gulls enhance the productivity of breeding common terns? J Appl Ecol 38:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris MP (1970) Rates and causes of increases of some British Gull populations. Bird Study 17:325–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilton GM, Furness RW, Houston DC (2000) A comparative study of digestion in North Atlantic seabirds. J Avian Biol 31:36–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyt DF (1979) Practical methods of estimating volume and fresh weight of birds’ eggs. Auk 96:73–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Ickes SK, Belant JL, Dolbeer RA (1998) Nest disturbance techniques to control nesting by gulls. Wildl Soc Bull 26:269–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen A (1981) Ornithological winter observations on Selvagem Grande. Bocagiana 62:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouanin C (1974) Note sur Larus argentatus atlantis aux îles Selvagens. Cyanopica 1(4):19–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouanin C, Roux F (1964) Une mission aux îles Salvages. Sci Nat Paris 61:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouanin C, Roux F (1965) Contribution à l’Étude de la Biologie de Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca (Webb, Berthelot et Moquin-Tandon). Bol Mus Mun Funchal 19(77):16–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Konecny MJ (1987) Food habits and energetics of feral house cats in the Galápagos Islands. Oikos 50:24–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay MCM, Meathrel CE (2008) Where, when and how? Limitations of the techniques used to examine dietary preference of Pacific Gulls (Larus pacificus) using non-consumed parts of prey and regurgitated pellets of prey remains. Waterbirds 31:611–619

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockley RM (1952) Notes on the birds of the islands of the Berlengas (Portugal), the Desertas and Baixo (Madeira) and the Salvages. Ibis 94:144–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matias R, Catry P (2008) The diet of feral cats at New Island, Falkland Islands, and impact on breeding seabirds. Polar Biol 31:609–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moniz P, Monteiro L, Oliveira P (1997) The Little Shearwater. In: Hagmeijer W, Blair M (eds) The EBCC Atlas of European breeding birds. T & AD Poyser, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore CC (1988) Brief notes on birds seen in and around Selvagem Grande, August 17-18th, 1987. Bocagiana 121:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Morais L, Santos C, Vicente L (1998) Population increase of Yellow-legged Gulls Larus cachinnans breeding on Berlenga Island (Portugal), 1974-1994. Sula 12:27–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Morse DH, Buchheister CW (1977) Age and survival of breeding Leach's storm-petrels in Maine. Bird-Band 48:341–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Mougin JL, Stahl J-C (1981) Le régime alimentaire des Goélands argentés Larus argentatus atlantis de’île Selvagem Grande. Cyanopica 2(3):43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagy KA, Girard IA, Brown TK (1999) Energetics of free-ranging mammals, reptiles, and birds. Annu Rev Nutr 19:247–77

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nunes M, Vicente L (1998) Breeding cycle and nestling growth of Bulwer's Petrel on the Desertas Islands, Portugal. Col Waterbirds 21(2):198–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogilvie Grant WR (1896) On the birds observed at the Salvage Islands near Madeira. Ibis 7(2):41–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Oro D, de León A, Minguez E, Furness RW (2005) Estimating predation on breeding European storm-petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus) by yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis). J Zool, Lond 265:421–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oro D, Bosch M, Ruiz X (1995) Effects of a trawling moratorium on the breeding success of the yellow-legged gull Larus cachinnans. Ibis 137:547–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oro D, Martínez-Abraín A (2007) Deconstructing myths on large gulls and their impact on threatened sympatric waterbirds. Anim Conserv 10:117–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips RA, Thompson DR, Hamer KC (1999) The impact of great skua predation on seabird populations at St Kilda: a bioenergetics model. J Appl Ecol 36:218–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piersma T (2002) Energetic bottlenecks and other design constraints in avian annual cycles. Integr Comp Biol 42:51–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robel RJ, Press BM, Henning BL, Johnson KW, Blocker HW, Kemp KE (1995) Nutrient and energetic characteristics of sweepnet-collected invertebrates. J Field Orn 66:44–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson HA, James PC (1988) Morphology and egg measurements of seabirds breeding on Great Salvage Island, North Atlantic. Bull BOC 108(2):79–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez B, de León L, Martín A, Alonso J, Nogales M (2003) Status and distribution of breeding seabirds in the northern islets of Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Atl Seabirds 5(2):41–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz E (1893) Die Puffinenjagd auf den Selvagens-Inseln im Jahre 1892. Orn Jahrb 4:141–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Spaans AL (1971) On the feeding ecology of the Herring Gull Larus argentatus Pont. in the northern part of the Netherlands. Ardea 59:73–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenhouse IJ, Montevecchi WA (1999) Indirect effects of the availability of capelin and fishery discards: gull predation on breeding storm petrels. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 184:303–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stiven AE (1961) Food energy available for and required by the Blue Grouse chick. Ecology 42:547–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swennen C (1989) Gull predation upon eider Somateria mollissima ducklings: destruction or elimination of the unfit? Ardea 77:21–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Klinken A (1992) The impact of additional food provisioning on chick growth and breeding output in the Herring Gull Larus argentatus: a pilot experiment. Ardea 80:151–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal E, Medail F, Tatoni T (1998) Is the yellow-legged gull a superabundant bird species in the Mediterranean? Impact on fauna and flora, conservation measures and research priorities. Biodivers Conserv 7:1013–1026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Votier SC, Bearhop S, Ratcliffe N, Phillips RA, Furness RW (2001) Pellets as indicators of diet in Great Skuas Catharacta skua. Bird Study 48:373–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Votier SC, Bearhop S, Ratcliffe N, Phillips RA, Furness RW (2004) Predation by great skuas at a large Shetland seabird colony. J Appl Ecol 41:1117–1128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zino PA (1971) The breeding of Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea on the Salvage Islands. Ibis 113:212–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This paper is an output of the project PDCT/MAR/58778/2004, financed by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT-Portugal) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER). Further support was received through Programa Plurianual (UI&D 331/94). Thanks are due to the Parque Natural da Madeira, namely Paulo Oliveira and Dília Menezes, for permissions to carry out the work and for important logistical support. The wardens João Jaques da Mata and Gil Pereira provided invaluable information and field assistance. The wardens Lourenço and Nélio obtained information on the number of gulls present on Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora. Rui Rebelo provided data on the mass of land snails. Pierre Beaubrun and Jean-Marc Pons kindly provided unpublished data on the body mass of Atlantic Yellow-legged Gulls. This manuscript benefited from detailed comments from José Pedro Granadeiro and two anonymous referees. This study complies with the current laws concerning wildlife research in Portugal.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eco-Ethology Research Unit & Centro de Biociências, ISPA, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisboa, Portugal

    Rafael Matias & Paulo Catry

Authors
  1. Rafael Matias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paulo Catry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paulo Catry.

Additional information

Communicated by C. Gortázar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Matias, R., Catry, P. The diet of Atlantic Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis atlantis) at an oceanic seabird colony: estimating predatory impact upon breeding petrels. Eur J Wildl Res 56, 861–869 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0384-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0384-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation