Incubation Energetics of the Laysan Albatross

The energy expenditure of incubating and foraging Laysan Albatross (Diomedea immutabilis, mean body weight 3.07 kg) was estimated by means of the doubly-la- belled water technique. During incubation, the energy expenditure was similar to that of resting birds that were not incubating an egg. The energy expenditure of foraging albatross (2072 kJ/day) was 2.6 times that of resting birds. It was concluded that the energy expenditure of the tropical Laysan Albatross was not less than that of species foraging over cold, high-latitude oceans. An energy budget compiled for an incubating pair of albatross revealed that the energy expenditure of the female was greater than that of the male bird, during the incubation perio

Strategies to build a positive and inclusive Antarctic field work environment

To increase inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility in Antarctic science, we must build more positive and inclusive Antarctic field work environments. The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) has engaged in efforts to contribute to that goal through a variety of activities since 2018, including creating an open-access ‘Field and Ship Best Practices’ guide, engaging in pre-field season team dynamics meetings, and surveying post-field season reflections and experiences. We report specific actions taken by ITGC and their outcomes. We found that strong and supported early career researchers brought new and important perspectives regarding strategies for transforming culture. We discovered that engaged and involved senior leadership was also critical for expanding participation and securing funding to support efforts. Pre-field discussions involving all field team members were particularly helpful for setting expectations, improving sense of belonging, describing field work best practices, and co-creating a positive work culture

Food and Energetic Requirements of Seabirds at French Frigate Shoals, Hawaii

A time-and-energy model for the energetic requirements of 18 species of seabirds at French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) is presented. Estimates of the energy needs for producing eggs and chicks, and the time-and-energy budgets of breeding and non-breeding adults are used to valuate consumptive rates of various prey species. The caloric density of prey species and the caloric contribution to the diet of each seabird is analyzed. A conservative estimate for the total annual energetic requirements of more than 500,000 seabirds breeding and/or residing at French Frigate Shoals exceeds 7,700 kcal x 10 6. This energetic demand is met by a consumption of more than 6,000 metric tons of various food items

Thermoregulation in the Brown Noddy (Anous Stolidus)

1. Oxygen consumption (VO2), body temperature (Tb). respiratory frequency (f) and total evaporative water loss were measured in Brown Noddies exposed to air temperatures (Ta) between -0.2 and 41.9”C, in a climatic chamber. 2. The thermoneutral zone of Ta was approx. 22-37°C and the VO2 in the thermoneutral zone (1.031 ml/g h) was 7740% of predicted values. 3. The body temperature was characterized by its lability: even within the thermoneutral zone, there was a significant correlation with Ta. 4. Exposure to low Ta, resulted in shivering and a maximal increase in pti of 129%. The minimal thermal conductance of the tissues and plumage below the lower critical Ta was 86% of the predicted value. 5. At high Ta, thermal polypnea and open-beak panting were observed but the birds did not gular flutter. In some birds evaporative heat loss exceeded concurrent metabolic heat production. 6. The features of thermoregulation in adult Brown Noddies are compared with those of the hatchling and also with thermoregulation in the related Sooty Tern