Nest and Chick Survival and Colony-Site Dynamics of Least Terns in the U.S. Virgin Islands

The condor

Claudia D. Lombard¹ 

关键词: Caribbean;    chick survival;    colony-site dynamics;    Least Tern;    nest survival;    Sternula antillarum;    U.S. Virgin Islands;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2010.090042

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. We report nest and chick survival and colony-site dynamics of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum). These results are the first for the Caribbean and were derived with likelihood-based approaches from 4640 nests and 44 chicks fitted with transmitters monitored in 52 colonies at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, 2003–2006. Managed colonies excluded, overall daily nest survival (±SE) was 0.92 ± 0.03 (period survival = 0.18). Daily nest survival of managed colonies (fenced) was significantly higher (0.97 ± 0.02; period survival = 0.51). Variation in nest survival was best explained by a negative linear trend in daily survival, influenced by year, rain, large colony size, and nesting habitat. Daily nest-survival rates at sandy beaches (0.94 ± 0.02), offshore cays (0.93 ± 0.005), and saltflats (0.91 ± 0.02) did not differ significantly. The period survival of chicks was 0.30 ± 0.11. Estimated fledglings per nest attempt were 0.06. Demographic assessments suggested that higher reproductive rates are req...

【 授权许可】

CC BY