A positive relationship exists between fledgling body mass and juvenile survival for some altricial (Krementz et al. 1989, Magrath 1991, Linden et al. 1992) and precocial (Owen and Black 1989, Longcore et al. 1991, Francis et al. 1992) species. Because the energetic demands of migration are high, physiologic condition may be a proximate determinate of juvenile survival in geese. Owen and Black (1989) found that pre-fledging body mass of Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) was positively related to juvenile survival to winter. First-year survival in Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) was also affected by pre-fledging body mass (Francis et al. 1992). It is not clear, however, when such mass-related mortality occurs. Both species migrate >3,000 km to wintering areas, but make use of fall staging areas while en route (Owen 1980, Francis and Cooke 1992). Survival fo geese between fledging and staging areas has not been addressed. Measurement of survival during this interval could provide insight to the timing of juvenile mortality in arctic geese.
