White Tern (Gygis alba)

Niethammer, Kenneth R.; Patrick, Laura B.

doi:10.2173/bna.whiter.02

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Low reproductive success rates, as those found in this study, are not uncommon among White Tern populations (Dorward 1963, Diamond & Pr¥s-Jones 1986, Niethammer & Patrick-Castilaw 1998. Nevertheless, without information on aspects such as the breeding frequency, age of first breeding and adult and immature survival, it is not possible to judge whether these low success rates are sustainable.…”

Section: Comparison Of Breeding Performance Between Monsoonsmentioning

confidence: 44%

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island, Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

Catry

Ramos

Sampson

et al. 2009

Ibis

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White Terns Gygis alba breed throughout the year on Aride Island but show a marked preference to nest during the northwest monsoon (November–March), when interspecific competition and also marine productivity are considered to be lower. In this study we investigated and compared breeding and foraging parameters of White Terns between the northwest and southeast (May–September) monsoons to assess whether interspecific competition affected foraging activity and explained the timing of breeding of White Terns. Goatfish (Mullidae) dominated the diet of White Terns and no significant differences were found in diet composition between the northwest and southeast monsoons. Similar diets and patterns of food provisioning of White Terns between the two monsoons do not support the hypothesis of strong exploitation competition during the southeast monsoon. On the other hand, foraging behaviour and frequency of capture attempts of White Terns differed between the two monsoons. The percentages of multi‐species flocks with White Terns and of large flocks with more than 25 noddies Anous and terns Onychoprion were significantly higher during the southeast monsoon. Moreover, capture attempt frequencies of White Terns foraging in multi‐species flocks were lower than those of solitary individuals, and both solitary and flocking White Terns had significantly lower capture attempt frequencies during the southeast monsoon in comparison with the northwest monsoon. These results suggest that interference competition depresses foraging activity of flock‐foraging White Terns, particularly during the southeast monsoon, which could potentially explain why White Terns breed preferentially during the northwest monsoon. However, and despite avoiding interference competition, White Terns nesting during the northwest monsoon did not show higher breeding success than those nesting during the southeast monsoon. Other hypotheses that might explain the preference of White Terns for breeding during the northwest monsoon, such as avoidance of agonistic interactions with Lesser Noddies Anous tenuirostris at nest sites, should also be investigated.

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Section: Comparison Of Breeding Performance Between Monsoonsmentioning

confidence: 44%

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island, Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

Catry

Ramos

Sampson

et al. 2009

Ibis

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“…For pairs that re-nested, we used data of the nest that we monitored for the longest. We assumed that a tern nest in the same location as a failed nest was a re-nesting attempt, as terns are known for their nest site fidelity (Dorward 1963;Niethammer and Patrick 1998).…”

Section: White Tern Breeding Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an island-wide rodent eradication programme on two threatened bird species

Segal

Whitsed

Carlile

et al. 2022

Pacific Conserv. Biol.

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Context For the past 50 years, rodent eradications have been conducted worldwide to reverse the devastating impacts of introduced rodents on island species. However, few studies have quantitatively measured the effects of rodent eradications on native species. Aims This study investigated the effects of a rodent eradication on Lord Howe Island on two native birds. Methods To mitigate the risk of Lord Howe currawongs being poisoned during baiting operations, 30–40% of the population were taken into captivity during baiting, while the remaining currawongs were left in the wild. We studied currawong survival, nesting density and breeding success pre- and post-eradication to test how the baiting, a period in captivity, and the removal of rodents affected currawongs. We also investigated breeding success of white terns as they were expected to benefit from the eradication due to predator reduction. Key results We found that many currawongs left in the wild disappeared during the baiting period and nesting densities in one part of the island were significantly lower after the eradication. These currawongs likely died of poisoning as they were not resighted for 2 years post-eradication. White tern breeding success did not increase after the rodent eradication, although their predators were largely eliminated. Conclusions The captive management of currawongs mitigated the adverse effects of the baiting. As those currawongs that survived had high breeding success, we predict that the population will soon recover to pre-eradication size. Implications Our study reinforces the necessity of integrating ecological monitoring as part of future eradications on islands.

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