COMPARAÇÃO DA EFICIÊNCIA DE FORRAGEIO DAS GARÇAS EGRETTA CAERULEA E EGRETTA THULA NO ESTUÁRIO DE PARANAGUÁ, PARANÁ, SUL DO BRASIL

The foraging efficiency of birds may vary according to local conditions as a result of the balance between energy consumption and expenditure. The foraging efficiency of Egretta thula (adults n=11) and Egretta caerulea (adults n=69 and juveniles n= 17) was compared in Paranaguá city estuary, in Paraná, Brazil. In 14 hours of observation divided into 2 minutes sessions per individual, were recorded foraging site (mud or shallow water), number of steps, total peckings and successful peckings, and were calculated the success rates, energy effort and capture efficiency. In shallow water E.thula was more efficient than E. caerulea. There was no intraspecific differences in E. thula regarding environments. Adults of E. caerulea were more efficient than juveniles, with greater efficiency in mud than in shallow waters environments. Differences in foraging efficiency between species may be related to the type of foraging according to feeding location.