Diet of Surf Scoters Molting in Eastern North America
Project Number: 92
Year Funded: 2007
Lead Institution(s): Dalhousie University
Project Lead: Suzanne Budge
Collaborator(s): Scott Gilliland (CWS)
Location: Atlantic Flyway
Focal Species: Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)
Project Description: The diet of molting Surf Scoters has not been previously described, and there is no information on the contributions of diet vs. endogenous reserves to the overall energy budget of Surf Scoters during molt. Documenting the contributions that diet and nutrient reserves play in the energy budget will increase our understanding of the importance of local food sources as one of the factors responsible for habitat selection in Surf Scoters.
Project Reports: https://seaduckjv.org/pdf/studies/pr92.pdf