Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Goede A.A. (1993) Variation in the energy intake of captive Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus. ARDEA 81 (2): 89-97
The food intake of captive Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus was measured, and with an estimated utilization efficiency, the energy uptake from the ingested food calculated. Annual, seasonal and weekly variations in energy intake were observed, together with variations related with the type of food offered. The variations in intake are related with the variable requirements of the maintenance metabolism and with changes in body mass. In a period with low ambient temperatures including a prolonged cold spell, the energy input by the food intake and use of body reserves could not meet the requirements of the maintenance metabolism as calculated. The strategies the birds may have used to balance the budget of energy provisioning and energy expenditure in these circumstances, are discussed. The weeks with high energy intake in the period of pre-winter bodymass gain, seem to coincide with full moon and probably reflect nocturnal feeding. The differences in food intake related with the type of food are attributed to palatibility of the food.


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