Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Gawlik, Dale E.

Abstract

Little Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Tricolored Herons that nest in the Everglades have declined sharply over the past decade, due in part to food resource limitations. Here, I examined the diet of small herons to determine how prey characteristics affected the fitness of small herons in the highly modified Florida Everglades. Analysis of these diet differences showed birds nesting in 2017, a hydrologically dryer-than average year, and a more taxonomically varied diet were associated with nest success and improved body condition of nestlings. Over half (51%) of the fish biomass Little Blue Herons consumed were non-native species, compared to 14% and 19% non-native fish biomass consumed by Snowy Egrets and Tricolored Herons, respectively. Surprisingly, <7% of fish biomass available in the Everglades were comprised of non-native fish species, suggesting that small herons, and Little Blue Herons in particular, may be using alternative foraging habitats, to supplement their dietary needs.

Extent

109 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00013072

Format

pdf

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