CUNNINGHAM, G.B.; VAN BUSKIRK, R.W.; BONADONNA, F.; WEIMERSKIRCH, H.; NEVITT, G.A.; Univ. of California, Davis; Univ. of California, Davis; CNRS, France; CNRS, France; Univ. of California, Davis: Field studies of the olfactory sensitivities of three species of Procellariiform chicks.

Antarctic procellariiform seabirds are attracted to food-related odors at sea, but little is known about how these behaviors develop. We tested the olfactory abilities of Blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea), Thin-billed prions (Pachyptila belcheri), and Common diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix). We scored the responsiveness of chicks in a sleep-like state to air saturated with 1 &microM dimethyl sulfide (DMS, a prey-related odorant) and 1 &microM phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA, a novel odorant); distilled water was used as a control. Scores for Blue petrels were significantly greater for DMS and PEA than for control presentations, while scores for Thin-billed prions were significantly greater only for PEA. Common diving petrels did not respond significantly to either odorant. This result is consistent with results indicating that Common diving petrels do not use olfaction to forage. When we examined only young and hungry Common diving petrel chicks, however, we found that the scores for PEA were significantly greater than for the control. Collectively, these results suggest that, for Blue petrels, sensitivity to an ecologically relevant odor (DMS) is established prior to any foraging experience, but for diving petrels, the role of olfaction is yet to be fully understood.