How do resource distribution and taxonomy affect the use of dual foraging in seabirds? A review

In many seabird species, parents feeding young switch between short and long foraging excursions in a strategy known as dual foraging. To investigate whether habitat quality near breeding colonies drives the use of dual foraging, we conducted a review of the seabird literature, compiling the results of 102 studies which identified dual-foraging in 50 species across nine families from all six seabird orders. We estimated the mean distance from the colony of each species' short and long foraging trips and obtained remote-sensed data on chlorophyll-a concentrations within the radius of both short and long trips around each colony. We then assessed, for each seabird family, the relationship between the use of dual foraging strategies and the difference in the quality of foraging locations between short- and long-distance foraging trips. We found that the probability of dual foraging grew with increasing differences in the quality of foraging locations available during short- and long-distance trips. We also found that when controlling for differences in habitat quality, albatrosses and penguins were less likely to use dual foraging than Procellariidae, which in turn were less likely to use dual foraging than Sulids. This study helps clarify how environmental conditions and taxon-specific characteristics influence seabird foraging behavior. Lay Summary Chick-rearing seabirds are more likely to mix short chick-feeding trips and long self-feeding trips when there are larger differences between habitat quality near and far from the breeding site. This strategy, called dual foraging, is common in seabirds feeding young, but its drivers are poorly understood. This study compiles results from over 100 studies to help clarify how environmental conditions and taxon-specific characteristics influence seabird feeding behavior.

Automated summary

Based on a review of seabird literature, this study found that seabirds using dual foraging strategies are more likely to do so when there are larger differences in habitat quality near and far from the breeding site. The study also highlighted the influence of environmental conditions and taxon-specific characteristics on seabird feeding behavior.