Causes of nest desertion during incubation in the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus).

YORIO, P.; BOERSMA, D.

THE CONDOR

Año: 1994 vol. 96 p. 1076 - 1083

0010-5422

We quantified the causes and rate of nest desertions in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) during the egg stage at Punta Tombo, Argentina. Incubating Magellanic Penguins rarely deserted. The average desertion rate during seven years was 11% (SD = 9.2%). Desertions were poorly correlated with the length of the incubation spell and only 25% of the desertion could be accounted for by delayed nest relief. Body condition at the start of the incubation spell appears to be the most important factor in determining desertions. Penguins that deserted were lighter for their body size at the time of egg laying than penguinst hat did not desert.D esertionw as significanta nd commond uring the first part of incubation,t he time when femalesa re present.F loodedn estsw ere more likely to be desertedth an nonfloodedn estsb, ut desertionfsr om floodingw eref ew.H igh temperatures did not increased esertiond uringi ncubationt, husi t is unlikelyt hath eats tresiss an important causeo f nestd esertionA. n individual’s body conditiona ppearsto be the most important factor in explaining desertion but behavior of the mate and other factors can play a role.