Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Urbanization affects ecosystems by reducing biodiversity and displacing species from native habitats. While some suffer, others, like urban wildlife, adapt through innovative feeding and behaviours that improve their fitness in human‐altered settings. Despite research on wildlife in urban areas, the development of foraging behaviour in urban species is still understudied. Here, we examined the age‐related differences in the foraging behaviour of yellow‐legged gulls Larus michahellis in Barcelona (Spain), a densely populated coastal urban ecosystem. Using biologging technologies and trophic markers, we compared the foraging strategies, habitat use, human interactions, and trophic niches of juvenile, immature, and adult yellow‐legged gulls over three breeding seasons. The results showed age‐related differences in spatial distribution and foraging behaviour in this opportunistic species. Juveniles and immatures mainly foraged in ports and at sea, while adults favoured urban habitats. These patterns likely stem from reproductive constraints in adults and lower foraging efficiency in younger birds. Adults' primary use of urban habitats also explains their higher trophic niche. Furthermore, fishing activity significantly influenced yellow‐legged gull foraging across age groups, with strong associations between gulls and fishing vessels. By studying how age and life stage influence habitat use and behaviour, this research provides insights to guide targeted management strategies for this species.
Source: Wildlife Biology
DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01406
Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Institut de Ciències del Mar, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Barcelona Zoo Foundation, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Institut Català d'Ornitologia, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona
Language: English
Topic: Avian ecology and behavior
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,200
OpenAlex ID: W4405850298