Life Sciences Commons^™

Foraging Ecology Of The Endangered Wood Stork Recorded In The Stable Isotope Signature Of Feathers, Christopher S. Romanek, Karen F. Gaines, A. L. Bryan Jr., I. L. Brisbin Jr.

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Down feathers and regurgitant were collected from nestling wood storks (Mycteria americana) from two inland and two coastal breeding colonies in Georgia. The stable isotopic ratios of carbon ( 13 C/12 C) and nitrogen ( 15N/ 14N) in these materials were analyzed to gain insights into the natal origins of juvenile storks and the foraging activities of adults. Down feathers differed in δ 13 C between inland and coastal colonies, having average isotopic values that reflected the sources of carbon fixed in biomass at the base of the food web. Feathers from the inland colonies differed between colonies in δ …