Preference for covered nest sites and breeding success in kelp gulls Larus dominicanus

YORIO, P.; BERTELLOTTI, M.; QUINTANA, F.

Marine Ornithology

African Seabird Group

Lugar: Ciudad del Cabo; Año: 1995 vol. 25 p. 121 - 128

1018-3337

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus preferences for covered nest sites and breeding success as a function of vegetation cover were quantified at Punta León, Argentina, during 1990 and 1991. Kelp Gulls showed a strong preference for nest sites which were covered or close to vegetation cover. Hatching success in nests with and without cover was similar. Similarly, hatchingsuccess and chick survival to five days of age were similar in nests with live and dead vegetation cover. The probability of raising at least one chick was higher for pairs in covered nests. However, even though breeding success was higher for covered than for exposed nests, differences between categories were significant only during 1990. Breeding success was significantly higher in nests with live cover and in nests from territories with vegetation cover. Heat stress and distance to cover appear to be the most important factors implicated in the observed differences.