Sammendrag
Molluscivore birds that forage on abundant but low-quality food have to ingest large quantities of food to achieve
energy balance. Such a strategy is often associated with important digestive constraints limiting predator’s ingestion. Thus,
these predators may use prey selection to ingest better-quality individuals among a generally low-quality prey population. Using
captive Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima (L., 1758)) diving in a constant environment, we were able to examine their
preferences for blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L., 1758) of varying qualities (different sizes or provenances). In addition, we studied
the consequences prey selection had on Eiders’ energy intake rates and ingestion of flesh and shell material. Eiders selected
10–20 mm mussels and were able to discriminate and to select cultivated mussels from intertidal mussels. Prey selection
allowed, in certain conditions of prey-size abundance, higher flesh and energy intake rates without increasing the ingestion of
shell material. This study confirmed the energetic advantage that Eiders have when foraging in aquaculture sites, which explain
the large depredation of preferred mussel sizes.
Key words: prey selection, intake rate, prey size, intertidal, aquaculture, Common Eider, Somateria mollissima.
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