Breeding Success of the Common Puffin (Fratercula arctica L.) on Different Habitats at Great Island, Newfoundland

• Published in: Ecological Monographs
• Main Author: Nettleship, David N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1972
• Subjects: fratercula; Fratercula arctica; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1942264; http://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.2307%2F1942264; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.2307%2F1942264; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2307/1942264; https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2307/1942264

Factors contributing to breeding success of puffins were studied on Great Island, Newfoundland, in 1968 and 1969. Puffin burrow density was negatively correlated with distance from the cliff edge and positively correlated with angle of slope. These correlations are biologically significant in that close to the cliff edge, where the angle of slope was steep, breeding success was significantly higher than on adjacent level habitat. In spring both habitats were occupied simultaneously, and nest—site tenacity was equally strong in them. During settlement the frequency of fighting was higher and the peak was reached earlier on slope habitat. Males were heavier on slope than on level habitat just after peak egg laying, although wing lengths were similar. Females were similar on the two habitats. Measurements of eggs from both habitat were the same. Egg—laying dates were also similar, but annual variation was greater on level than on slope habitat, as was variation within a single year. Hatching success was higher on slope habitat, mainly because the incidence of egg disappearance was lower during incubation; also the frequency of infertile eggs was greater on level habitat. Fledging success was higher on slope habitat, and higher on both habitats in 1969. Frequency of chick deaths in the nest and disappearance before fledging was higher on level habitat in both years. Fledging success was higher for early—hatched chicks in both habitats. Total breeding success was higher on slope habitat, and higher in both habitats in 1969. Fledging condition of chicks varied according to the habitat and time period in which they were raised. On the average, body weight at fledging was greater and less variable for birds on slope habitat; early—hatched chicks were heaviest in both habitats. Wing length of young at fledging did not differ. Early—hatched chicks on slope habitat fledged quickest (also quicker than early—hatched chicks on level habitat); late—hatched birds on slope fledged slower than late—hatched birds on level habitat. ...