Kuijpers, J.W.M. (1975). Energiebalans van de zeekoet (Uria aalge). NIOZ-rapport, 1975(18). Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee: Texel. 21, 4 pp.
Part of: NIOZ-rapport. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Den Burg. ISSN 0923-3210
Metabolism at rest in Guillemots (Uria aalge) has been determined by substracting the energy excreted in the faeces from the energy taken up with the food. During this experiment the birds were kept resting -as far as possible -at a temperature of ca. 19°C. This metabolism at rest is abt. 150 Cal/day for a guillemot of abt. 700 gr. which works out at 180 Cal/day for a bird of 925 g. This is 2.5 x the theoretical standard metabolism. At temperatures over 5°C metabolism is probably not correlated with temperature. The fat contents in the faeces strongly depend on those in the consumed fish. Digestion efficiency is over 80%. During starvation a daily loss of 2,5-3% of the body weight is experienced from the second day onwards. The net energy consumption of the birds in the outer cage where they can dive, fly etc. is ca. 260 Cal/day for an average weight of 925 gr. This is partly explained by the greater activity. Estimated energy costs for various activities are given. In nature the gross energy consumption is estimated at 350-400 Cal/day. This corresponds to 175-275 g. of fish.
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