Prebasic molt initiation and progress in northern fulmars of the High Arctic: do molt and breeding overlap?

Abstract

We examined feather molt progress of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) at Cape Vera in the Canadian High Arctic through opportunistic observation of individuals in flight from 2003 to 2006, and examination of bodies and wings of 127 individuals collected at the site, from 2003 to 2005. We found no evidence suggesting that fulmars shed primary feathers during breeding. Prebasic molt was initiated in the head, neck, sides, belly and back approximately 1 week before hatch. We failed to detect a sex effect on molt progress, but molt among breeders was delayed compared to molt in non- or failed breeders. This study constitutes a baseline we feel may be useful to: (1) researchers interested in feather replacement chronology, wherein feathers are used as sources of biological information; and (2) researchers interested in eventual assessment of relationships among large-scale environmental processes and molt progress in this species, especially in light of predicted changes to Arctic regions.