Home range and activity budget in the Falkland Steamer Duck (Tachyeres brachypterus)

Abstract

The Falkland Islands support globally important populations of seabirds and coastal birds, underscoring their value for international conservation efforts. However, substantial knowledge gaps impede the development of coherent species management plans. This study focused on the endemic Falkland Steamer Duck, a territorial waterfowl only found around the archipelago, which has remained largely understudied and lacks fundamental ecological information critical to its conservation. To estimate home range sizes, habitat use, and activity budgets, we deployed GPS devices on 29 ducks from two locations (Bleaker Island and Stanley Harbour). Daily travel distances increased with proximity to ponds, kelp beds, and human infrastructures, within each duck’s home range. Absolute area, but not proportion of, kelp significantly influenced home and core range. Patrolling males and incubating females spent less time travelling (respectively 31.4 ± 2.5% and10.3 ± 0.9%), with females spending the most time on land (70.0 ± 2.4%) in line with their breeding role. Foraging time increased closer to kelp, and within larger areas of kelp, as well as closer to human infrastructure. Kelp beds are present in coastal waters all over the archipelago and, consequently, likely influence the distribution and density of Falkland Steamer Ducks. Therefore, any changes in their absolute area are expected to negatively impact the species. Preserving the kelp beds would therefore ensure a stronger resilience of the Falkland Steamer Duck in the context of ongoing climate change.