Post-spring migration colony-site prospecting by Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii)
North American Bird Bander
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Abstract
We recorded banded Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) and unbanded individuals mated to banded individuals in May and the first third of June in 2001 and 2002 to quantify post spring migration prospecting by this species at Falkner Island, Connecticut, USA. In 2001, more than one quarter: 34/125 (27.2%) of those observed by 19 May and 38/150 (25.3%) of those observed by 25 May did not remain at this colony site and went elsewhere to attempt breeding. In 2002, fewer terns were observed by 19 May, but an even higher percentage: 11/28 (39.3%) of those seen by 19 May and 58/151 (38.4%) of those seen by 25 May did not stay and nest. Our results demonstrate that a substantial proportion of the earliest arriving individuals at this site are prospecting and gathering information about local conditions before making a decision about going elsewhere to nest.
Suggested Citation
Spendelow, J.A., Eichenwald, A.J., 2018, Post-spring migration colony-site prospecting by Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii): North American Bird Bander, v. 43, no. 1, p. 1-6.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Post-spring migration colony-site prospecting by Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) |
| Series title | North American Bird Bander |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2018 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 1 |
| Last page | 6 |