Effects of a rabbit on nesting common terns

Reproductive biology of common terns (Sterna hirundo) was studied at an insular breakwater site at Port Colborne, Ontario in 1976 and 1977. The unusual occurrence of an eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in the ternery in 1977 disrupted nesting activity and nocturnal incubation attent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Author: Courtney, Peter A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1979
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z79-318
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z79-318
Description
Summary:Reproductive biology of common terns (Sterna hirundo) was studied at an insular breakwater site at Port Colborne, Ontario in 1976 and 1977. The unusual occurrence of an eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in the ternery in 1977 disrupted nesting activity and nocturnal incubation attentiveness. Effects resulting from disruption of nocturnal incubation, including prolongation of incubation periods and retardation of evaporative water loss from eggs, are examined.