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

Wilson Journal of Ornithology
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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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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Rapid departure of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) following large-scale nest failure
Series title Wilson Journal of Ornithology
DOI 10.1676/17-017.1
Volume 130
Issue 2
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher Wilson Ornithological Society
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 8 p.
First page 485
Last page 492
Country United States
State Connecticut
Other Geospatial Falkner Island
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