Predominantly Terrestrial Foraging and Reproductive Gains From a High Trophic Level Diet in Roof-Nesting Herring Gulls (<i>Larus argentatus</i>).

ABSTRACT: Wild animal species often use human-modified environments for foraging and reproduction, but this may require dietary diversification with fitness consequences. The extent to which colonising species successfully exploit such habitats is poorly understood. We used stable isotope analysis of egg yolk to investigate the association between foraging choices and reproductive success in 102 female herring gulls (Larus argentatus) over 3 years in a roof-nesting, pericoastal breeding colony. Stable isotopes of egg yolk predominantly reflect maternal diet during egg production. We measured δ¹³C as an indicator of foraging habitat, and δ¹⁵N as an indicator of trophic level. We predicted diverse foraging choices across marine, terrestrial and urban environments due to gu

SUBMITTER: Allen SF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12513736 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature