Rapid departure of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) following large-scale nest failure

Jeffrey A. Spendelow; Adam J. Eichenwald

doi:10.1676/17-017.1

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USGS · 70197905

Rapid departure of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) following large-scale nest failure

Jeffrey A. Spendelow·Adam J. Eichenwald

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Abstract

Nest failure of most pairs of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) at Falkner Island, Connecticut, in 2002-2003 (due mainly to predation by Black-crowned Night-herons [Nycticorax nycticorax]) was followed by the rapid departure of many of the failed individuals in both years. Nine failed pairs (16.7%) stayed while 40 (74.1%) of 54 unsuccessful pairs left within 2 d following nest failure in 2002, and 7 pairs (21.9%) stayed while 25 (78.1%) of 32 unsuccessful pairs left within 2 d in 2003. Individuals that departed this colony site by the end of June likely had time to prospect and renest at another colony site in the same year, and individuals that successfully renested at another colony site could have shown reduced colony-site fidelity to Falkner Island in subsequent years.

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Wilson Journal of Ornithology Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.204715429079755° to 41.2203085869678° latitude; -72.66202926635741° to -72.6454210281372° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Jeffrey A. Spendelow, Adam J. Eichenwald. 2018. Rapid departure of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) following large-scale nest failure. https://doi.org/10.1676/17-017.1

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