Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Puttick G.M. (1979) Foraging behaviour and activity budgets of Curlew Sandpipers. ARDEA 67 (3-4): 111-122
The foraging and the daily and seasonal activity of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea Pontoppidan at Langebaan Lagoon, South Africa are described. Curlew Sandpipers spent 55-65% of daylight hours foraging in spring and summer, and up to 80% foraging in winter. Adult birds foraged faster and more efficiently in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Immature birds foraged more slowly and less successfully than adult birds, which possibly explains why immatures do not return to the breeding areas in their first year. The birds' foraging diversity was greatest in spring and winter, the former when prey density was relatively high, and the latter when prey density was lower. Different foraging rates were associated with differences in microhabitat; this appeared to be a function of the foraging technique used. Foraging was faster but success rate lower on incoming than on outgoing tides. Foraging and success rates decreased progressively from the upper to the lower shore, related to the density and potential availability of prey.


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