The diet, growth and survival of Razorbill Alca torda chicks in the southern Barents Sea

Abstract

Over 32 years (1981–2013), Razorbills Alca torda breeding at Hornoya, NE Norway fed their chicks on capelin Mallotus villosus , sandeels Ammodytes spp. and, sometimes, I-group herring Clupea harengus . It seems that Razorbills are opportunistic and feed their chicks the youngest stages of herring in years when the latter are numerous in the southern Barents Sea. Increasing sea temperatures and resulting shifts in fish distribution may result in fewer capelin and more herring and sandeels in the chick diet.