SURVIVAL, PAIR BOND RETENTION AND NEST‐SITE TENACITY IN BULLER'S MOLLYMAWK*

• Published in: Ibis
• Main Authors: Richdale, L. E., Warham, John
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1973
• Subjects: New Zealand; Snares Islands
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919x.1973.tb02641.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1973.tb02641.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1973.tb02641.x

Summary. Adult Buller's Mollymawks Diomedea bulleri banded in 1948 and 1961 at the Snares Islands south of New Zealand have been recovered between 1961 and 1971. Survival curves are presented which indicate the existence of a constant annual mortality rate of not more than 11.1 % with a mean expectation of further life at the time of banding of not less than 8.5 years. Breeding birds show a strong tendency to retain both the pair bond and the nest‐site. One pair was still breeding in 1971 at the same nest at which it bred 23 years earlier. No re‐matings were recorded while the original partner was known to be still alive. The dimensions of eggs laid over the years by particular females are presented. These enable some general indications to be given of the effects of the age of the female on the dimensions of the eggs which she lays.