Biofilm consumption and variable diet composition of western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) during migratory stopover.

ABSTRACT: Many shorebird species undertake long-distance migrations punctuated by brief stays at food-rich, estuarine stopover locations. Understanding use of these food resources helps guide conservation and responsible development decisions. We determined the extent and degree to which Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) utilized biofilm as a food resource across a large and variable stopover location during northward (spring) migration. We investigated the spatial heterogeneity in diet composition, to determine whether shorebirds were consistently feeding on biofilm or whether diet varied between naturally and anthropogenically delineated sites. We used stable isotope analysis to estimate that biofilm conservatively comprised 22% to 53% of Western Sandpiper droppings across all sampling sites and

SUBMITTER: Jardine CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4397082 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature