Abstract
We assessed the contribution of endogenous fat stores to meeting energetic needs during the flightless moult period in Pochard and Tufted Duck by regressing mass on the progression of wing moult, as measured by primary length. Pochard lost between 22.1% (males) and 24.2% (females) of body mass and female Tufted Duck 12.2% during wing moult at Abberton Reservoir, Essex. Based on a 27-day flightless period, Pochard lost on average 8.3–8.4 g per day and Tufted Duck 3.2–3.4 g per day, presumably due to fat expenditure. Assuming the daily energy expenditure (DEE) to be 1.7× the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the contribution from burning endogenous fat equated to 37–40% of Pochard and 19–20% of Tufted Duck DEE during remiges moult. One frequently re-trapped female Pochard expended fat stores that almost fulfilled her entire energetic requirements during moult if she rested and did not feed for most of the moult. These results confirm that Pochard and Tufted Duck accumulate fat stores that help to meet energetic needs during the flightless wing moult period. This endogenous source of energy may free them to exploit habitats that are safe from predation but which may not fully supply the energetic needs of moulting ducks from exogenous sources.
Zusammenfassung
Wir erfassten den Anteil endogener Fettreserven an der Bewältigung energetischer Anforderungen während der mauserbedingten Flugunfähigkeit bei Tafel- und Reiherenten durch Regression der Masse gegen das Fortschreiten der Flügelmauser, gemessen an der Länge der Handschwingen. Am Abberton Reservoir in Essex verloren Tafelenten zwischen 22,1% (Männchen) and 24,2% (Weibchen) Körpermasse, während Reiherentenweibchen 12,2% Körpermasse verloren. Gemessen an einer flugunfähigen Periode von 27 Tagen verloren Tafelenten durchschnittlich 8,3–8,4 g pro Tag und Reiherenten 3,2–3,4 g pro Tag, was vermutlich auf die Nutzung von Fettdepots zurückzuführen ist. Unter der Annahme eines täglichen Energiebedarfs (DEE) von 1,7× Grundstoffwechselrate (BMR) beträgt der Verbrauch von endogenen Fettreserven während der Mauser der Flugfedern 37–40% des DEE bei Tafelenten und 19–20% bei Reiherenten. Eine mehrfach wieder gefangene weibliche Tafelente verbrauchte Fettreserven, die allein nahezu ihren gesamten Energiebedarf während der Mauser decken könnten, sofern sie rastet und nicht nach Futter sucht. Diese Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass Tafel- und Reiherenten Fettreserven anlegen, die ihnen helfen, die flugunfähige Zeit der Mauser zu überbrücken. Diese endogenen Energiereserven erlauben es ihnen Habitate aufzusuchen, die sicher vor Fressfeinden sind, aber nicht ausreichend Futterquellen bieten, um den Energiebedarf während der Mauser zu decken.
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to Johnny Kahlert and two anonymous referees for comments and improvements on an earlier version, and to the then Essex Water for allowing WWT to catch and ring ducks at Abberton Reservoir.
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Communicated by C. G. Guglielmo.
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Fox, A.D., King, R. Body mass loss amongst moulting Pochard Aythya ferina and Tufted Duck A. fuligula at Abberton Reservoir, South East England. J Ornithol 152, 727–732 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-011-0656-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-011-0656-7