A necrophilic copulation by a Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus
A Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus was observed copulating with a deceased conspecific on an offshore island, Penguin Island, in south-western Australia. The copulation lasted for c. 30 seconds, in contrast with the usually 3-10 seconds observed in this species. This unusual copulation may simply...
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Bird Observers Club of Australia (BOCA)
2016
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| Online Access: | https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35807/ |
| Summary: | A Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus was observed copulating with a deceased conspecific on an offshore island, Penguin Island, in south-western Australia. The copulation lasted for c. 30 seconds, in contrast with the usually 3-10 seconds observed in this species. This unusual copulation may simply be the result of a strong breeding drive present in colonially nesting Bridled Terns. |
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