The energetics of barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) flying in captive and wild conditions

Experimental data on the relationship between mean heart rate (f(H)) and mean rate of oxygen consumption (V) over dot O-2 of captive barnacle geese during flights in a wind tunnel are assessed in terms of their capacity to predict the typical (V) over dot O-2 of wild barnacle geese, based on the recordings of their f(H), while undertaking autumn migratory flights between Spitsbergen (78degreesN) and Caerlaverock, Scotland (55degreesN). A significant linear relationship has been demonstrated between the f(H) and simultaneously recorded (V) over dot O-2 of a single barnacle goose (B-B) flying in the wind tunnel (V) over dot O-2 = 1.42 f(H) - 304, r(2)=0.82, P