Article

The role of invertebrates in the diet, growth and survival of red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) chicks

Details

Citation

Park K, Robertson PA, Campbell ST, Foster R, Russell ZM, Newborn D & Hudson PJ (2001) The role of invertebrates in the diet, growth and survival of red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) chicks. Journal of Zoology, 254 (2), pp. 137-145. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836901000644

Abstract
The role of diet on the growth, survival and movement of red grouse chicks was examined. We compared two areas of moorland in Scotland; a dry heath with a low density of red grouse and poor chick survival and a wetter heath/bog with relatively higher red grouse numbers and higher rates of chick survival. There were no differences in clutch size, or the proportion of eggs hatching between the two moors but brood survival was significantly lower on the dry heath. Radiotagged hens with broods were monitored during the first 12 days following hatching, the chicks captured, weighed and faecal samples collected. Invertebrate samples were collected within brood feeding ranges. Analysis of chick faeces was used to identify dietary components. Heather comprised the major dietary component on both moors. Invertebrates formed a higher component of diet on the wet moor, and this was positively correlated with growth rates, which in turn were positively correlated with chick survival. We present data from an experiment carried out in 1982, in which chicks showed higher growth rates with increasing insect availability. We also show that broods in which all the chicks survived (4-10 days) had smaller home range areas than broods in which some of the chicks died during this period. We suggest that the differences in chick survival between the two populations was due to variations in the abundance of invertebrates, particularly Tipulids. The protein provided by a high invertebrate component in the diet is, therefore, an important determinant of young red grouse chick growth and survival in some areas.

Keywords
red grouse; survival; chick; invertebrate; diet; Red grouse Chicks Scotland; Red grouse Chicks Moors (Wetlands); Red grouse Food habits

Journal
Journal of Zoology: Volume 254, Issue 2

StatusPublished
Publication date30/06/2001
Publication date online28/02/2006
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/310
PublisherBlackwell Publishing
ISSN0952-8369

People (1)

People

Professor Kirsty Park

Professor Kirsty Park

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences