Influence of Feather Selection and Sampling Protocol on Interpretations of Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) Nonbreeding Season Foraging Habits from Stable Isotope Analysis

Isotope data from Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) primaries P1 and P6 were compared to determine whether foraging habits change between the beginning and middle of the nonbreeding season. P6 data did not differ between samples derived from a longitudinal and a minimally invasive protocol and point samples taken from the feather bases. While P6 δ13C increased longitudinally, no δ15N longitudinal trends emerged, yet inter-individual...