AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Breeding Biology and Systematic Relationships of the Stilt Sandpiper

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1973
Authors:Jehl, Jr., JR
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:85
Issue:2
Date Published:1973
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Calidris, Calidris ferruginea, Calidris himantopus, Ereunetes, Ereunetes ferrugineus, Ereunetes himantopus, Erolia, Erolia testacea, Himantopus, Micropalama, Micropalama himantopus, Numenius, Numenius arquata, Numenius phaeopus, Scolopacidae, Xenus, Xenus cinereus
Abstract:A banded population of Stilt Sandpipers was studied at Churchill, Manitoba, in the summers of 1964-1967. The species arrives in late May or the first days of June, with males tending to arrive a day or two in advance of females. Mate and territorial fidelity is high. Experienced breeders return to their nesting territories in well-drained sedge meadows, where they encounter their mate of the previous year. Nesting begins almost at once; often the old nest scrape is re-used. There is no evidence that birds form pair bonds during migration. The apparent en route pairing that has been alleged in several species of arctic sandpipers can be attributed to the strong homing ability and site fidelity of experienced breeders. The complex vocalization of the Stilt Sandpiper, and the contexts in which they are used, are outlined. Territories are established and maintained through aerial displays. Territorial defense wanes about a week after the clutch is completed, at which time late-nesting pairs may be able to nest in close proximity to established pairs. Nesting behavior is described in detail. The role of the sexes in incubation is rigid, with males incubating by "day" (05:00-19:00), females by "night." Males are capable of breeding immediately upon arrival, but females do not attain breeding condition until several days later. Gonadal regression occurs about a week after the clutch is completed and after that time re-nesting seems impossible. The incubation period averages about 20 days. In most years the peak of hatching occurs in the first days of July, old pairs hatching young, on the average, a few days earlier than pairs nesting for the first time. The chicks are led from the drying sedge meadows to wet areas near the coast. Females remain with the brood for about a week, males for two weeks, before migrating. Most chicks leave the Churchill area by mid-August. In this study predation was the major cause of nesting failure. Separation from the adults and adverse weather are probably the major sources of chick mortality. Stilt Sandpipers do not feed to any appreciable extent on the territory, but forage in small tundra ponds up to five miles from their nests. Analysis of stomach contents suggests that by exploiting pond habitats the species is able to avoid food overlap with most other sandpipers. Body molt of adults begins in July, after the chicks have hatched, but flight feathers are not molted until after the birds migrate from the nesting areas. Variations in the molt pattern do not seem to be associated with age or sex. No geographic variation was detected in this species. There are no strong reasons for maintaining Micropalama as a monotypic genus distinct from Calidris. Evidence from behavior, morphology, vocalizations, and biogeography indicates that the Curlew Sandpiper (C. ferruginea) is the closest relative of the Stilt Sandpiper.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4160315
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith