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Comparative feeding behaviour and niche organization in a Mediterranean duck community

Canadian Journal of Zoology, ISSN: 0008-4301, Vol: 76, Issue: 3, Page: 500-507
1998
  • 59
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 27
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    59
    • Citation Indexes
      59
  • Captures
    27

Article Description

Feeding behaviour of the Marbled Teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris. Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, Garganey, Anas querquedula, and Ferruginous Duck, Aythya nyroca, in the Göksu Delta, Turkey, was compared from 10 July to 6 August 1995. Almost all individuals observed were postbreeding adults and juveniles. Marbled Teal fed closest to the surface (mean depth within the water column 8.4 cm), chiefly by bill dipping (66%) and gleaning (14%). Garganey fed at a mean depth of 9.1 cm, mainly by bill dipping (57%) and neck dipping (35%). Mallards fed at greater depths (mean 31.8 cm), mainly by upending (tipping 46%) and neck dipping (41%). Ferruginous Ducks fed at the greatest depths (mean 38.4 cm), chiefly by diving (76%). Marbled Teal moved most frequently between feeding events and Mallards moved least frequently. As in previous studies of dabbling ducks, the largest species (Mallard) upended more and fed deeper in the water column. However, Mallards used shallower microhabitats than smaller dabbling ducks. Dabbling and diving duck guilds were not discernible in either horizontal (feeding habitat) or vertical (feeding behaviour) niche dimensions, and the Mallard and Ferruginous Duck were related in both dimensions. Niche overlaps between species pairs along the two dimensions were negatively correlated (r = -0.71, P = 0.12), supporting niche complementarity.

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