[Red-breasted goose colonies on the Taimyr Peninsula: factors responsible for the proximity of goose nests to nests of peregrine falcons, rough-legged buzzards, and snowy owls]

Izv Akad Nauk Ser Biol. 2009 Sep-Oct:(5):559-68.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Red-breasted goose colonies have been studied near Medusa Bay (73 degrees 21' N, 80 degrees 32' E), on the northwestern Taimyr Peninsula, and along the Agapa River (70 degrees 11' N, 86 degrees 15' E) down to its mouth (70 degrees 26' N, 89 degrees 13' E), in the central Taimyr Peninsula. Red-breasted geese nesting near peregrine falcons are protected by the falcons from arctic foxes; however, they are sometimes attacked by the falcons themselves. In the colonies near peregrine falcon nests, the vast majority of goose nests were situated no farther than 100 m from the falcon nest. When food is abundant, falcons protect a larger area around their nest. The distance between the falcon nest and the surrounding goose nests is inversely related to the falcon's activity. In years of higher falcon activity, falcons prevent red-breasted geese from nesting as close to their nest as in years of lower falcon activity. Additional stimuli are required for red-breasted geese to form colonies near rough-legged buzzard nests. The distance between snowy owl nests and red-breasted goose nests was smaller when arctic foxes were abundant than when they were scarce.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arctic Regions
  • Ecosystem*
  • Geese / growth & development*
  • Geese / physiology
  • Nesting Behavior / physiology*
  • Population Density
  • Population Dynamics
  • Predatory Behavior / physiology*
  • Raptors / growth & development*
  • Raptors / physiology
  • Russia