King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) Nesting in Association with Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus)

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Authors: Blomqvist, Sven, Elander, Magnus
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1988
• Subjects: Animal behaviour; Animal distribution; Animal population; Animal reproduction; Bird nesting; King Eiders; Long-tailed Skua; Hold with Hope; Greenland; Arctic; Arctique*; Groenland; King Eider; Labbe à longue queue; Somateria spectabilis; Stercorarius longicaudus
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/64759

In High Arctic Northeast Greenland King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis) were found nesting in association with solitarily breeding Long-tailed Skuas (Stercorarius longicaudus). The association is demonstrated using spatial statistics analyses and timing of clutch initiations. Long-tailed Skuas' nests were evenly spaced in the 6.1 sq km census area, whereas nine out of ten King Eider nests were located close to five different nests of Long-tailed Skua. It is suggested that the association may be a state of commensalism.Key words: nest site selection, nesting association, spatial distribution pattern, commensalism, King Eider, (Somateria spectabilis), Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus), Greenland, High Arctic Mots clés: choix de l'emplacement du nid, nidification en association, schéma de distribution spatiale, commensalisme, eider à tête grise (Somateria spectabilis), labbe à longue queue (Stercorarius longicaudus), Groenland, Extrême-Arctique