Register      Login
Emu Emu Society
Journal of BirdLife Australia
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Breeding success, mate-fidelity and nest-site fidelity in Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

Julia Sommerfeld A D , Tony Stokes B and G. Barry Baker C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany.

B PO Box 1553, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.

C Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: sommerfeld@ftz-west.uni-kiel.de

Emu 115(3) 214-222 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU14016
Submitted: 12 February 2014  Accepted: 15 December 2014   Published: 4 May 2015

Abstract

Disruption of pair-bonds and switching nest-site are associated with breeding failure in many seabirds. Both strategies can prevent repetition of poor performance with a low-quality mate or at a poor-quality nesting site. In the Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), the relationship between mate-fidelity, nest-site fidelity and reproductive performance is poorly understood. We therefore examined this relationship in Red-tailed Tropicbirds, using data collected on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean from 1984 to 1986, corresponding to three successive breeding seasons. Birds showed strong between-season mate-fidelity, despite previous breeding failure, and subsequent breeding success in birds faithful to their mate was significantly higher than in pairs that bred together for the first time, indicating that mate-fidelity may outweigh the costs of disruption of pair-bonds. Although switching of nest-site was more likely to occur after previous breeding failure, it did not increase subsequent breeding success, indicating that nest-site switching may not be advantageous in Red-tailed Tropicbirds on Christmas Island. Although effects of age, dispersal rates to inaccessible parts of the island and adult survival were not examined in this study, our results provide a valuable basis for the evaluation of population dynamics of Red-tailed Tropicbirds on Christmas Island.


References

Ashmole, N. P. (1963). Regulation of numbers of tropical oceanic birds. Ibis 103, 458–473.

Barba, E., Gil-Delgado, J. A., and Monros, J. S. (1995). The costs of being late: consequences of delaying Great Tit Parus major first clutches. Journal of Animal Ecology 64, 642–651.
The costs of being late: consequences of delaying Great Tit Parus major first clutches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

BirdLife International (2011). ‘Species factsheet: Phaethon rubricauda’. Available at http://www.birdlife.org/ [Accessed 17 January 2011].

Birkhead, T. R., and Nettleship, D. N. (1987). Ecological relationships between Common Murres Uria aalgae and Thick-billed Murres Uria lomvia at the Gannet Islands, Labrador. II. Breeding success and nest site characteristics. Canadian Journal of Zoology 65, 1622–1629.

Black, J. M. (1996). Introduction: pair bonds and partnerships. In ‘Partnerships in Birds: The Study of Monogamy’. (Ed. M. J. Black.) pp. 3–20. (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)

Boulinier, T., and Danchin, E. (1997). The use of conspecific reproductive success for breeding patch selection in territorial migratory species. Evolutionary Ecology 11, 505–517.
The use of conspecific reproductive success for breeding patch selection in territorial migratory species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bradley, J. S., Wooller, R. D., Skira, I. J., and Serventy, D. L. (1990). The influence of mate retention and divorce upon reproductive success in Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris. Journal of Animal Ecology 59, 487–496.
The influence of mate retention and divorce upon reproductive success in Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bried, J., and Jouventin, P. (1999). Influence of breeding success on fidelity in long-lived birds: an experimental study. Journal of Avian Biology 30, 392–398.
Influence of breeding success on fidelity in long-lived birds: an experimental study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bried, J., and Jouventin, P. (2002). Site and mate choice in seabirds: an evolutionary approach. In ‘Biology of Marine Birds’. (Eds E. A. Schreiber and J. Burger.) pp. 263–305. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL.)

Curio, E. (1983). Why do young birds reproduce less well? Ibis 125, 400–404.
Why do young birds reproduce less well?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Danchin, E., Boulinier, T., and Massot, M. (1998). Conspecific reproductive success and breeding habitat selection: implications for the study of coloniality. Ecology 79, 2415–2428.
Conspecific reproductive success and breeding habitat selection: implications for the study of coloniality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Diamond, A. W. (1975). The biology of tropicbirds at Aldabra Atoll. Auk 92, 16–39.
The biology of tropicbirds at Aldabra Atoll.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ens, B. J., Safriel, U. N., and Harris, M. P. (1993). Divorce in the long-lived and monogamous Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus: incompatibility or choosing the better option? Animal Behaviour 45, 1199–1217.
Divorce in the long-lived and monogamous Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus: incompatibility or choosing the better option?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ens, B. J., Choudhury, S., and Black, J. M. (1996). Mate fidelity and divorce in monogamous birds. In ‘Partnerships in Birds: The Study of Monogamy’. (Ed. J. M. Black.) pp. 344–401. (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)

Finkelstein, M. E., Doak, D. F., Nakagawa, M., Sievert, P. R., and Klavitter, J. (2010). Assessment of demographic risk factors and management priorities: impacts on juveniles substantially affect population viability of a long-lived seabird. Animal Conservation 13, 148–156.
Assessment of demographic risk factors and management priorities: impacts on juveniles substantially affect population viability of a long-lived seabird.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fleet, R. R. (1972). Nesting success of the Red-tailed Tropicbird on Kure Atoll. Auk 89, 651–659.

Fleet, R. R. (1974). ‘The Red-tailed Tropicbird on Kure Atoll.’ Ornithological Monographs 16. (American Ornithologists Union: Washington, DC.)

Fox, J., and Weisberg, S. (2011). ‘An R Companion to Applied Regression.’ Available at http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=car [verified 30 March 2015].

Garnett, S. T., Szabo, J. K., and Dutson, G. (2010). ‘The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1949). Notes on the nesting habits of seven representative tropical seabirds. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 48, 214–235.

Gratto, C. L., Morrison, R. I. G., and Cooke, F. (1985). Philopatry, site tenacity, and mate fidelity in the Semipalmated Sandpiper. Auk 102, 16–24.
Philopatry, site tenacity, and mate fidelity in the Semipalmated Sandpiper.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Green, R. E. (1995). Diagnosing causes of bird population declines. Ibis 137, S47–S55.
Diagnosing causes of bird population declines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Greenwood, P. J., and Harvey, P. H. (1982). The natal and breeding dispersal of birds. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 13, 1–21.
The natal and breeding dispersal of birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hakkarainen, H., Ilmonen, P., Koivunen, V., and Korpimäki, E. (2001). Experimental increase of predation risk induces breeding dispersal of Telgmam’s Owl. Oecologia 126, 355–359.
Experimental increase of predation risk induces breeding dispersal of Telgmam’s Owl.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harwood, A. J., Griffiths, R. W., and Metcalfe, N. B. (2003). The relative influence of prior residency and dominance on the early feeding behaviour of juvenile Atlantic Salmon. Animal Behaviour 65, 1141–1149.
The relative influence of prior residency and dominance on the early feeding behaviour of juvenile Atlantic Salmon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harris, M. P. (1979). Population dynamics of the Flightless Cormorant Nannopterum harrisi. Ibis 121, 135–146.
Population dynamics of the Flightless Cormorant Nannopterum harrisi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hinde, R. A. (1956). The biological significance of the territories in birds. Ibis 98, 340–369.
The biological significance of the territories in birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jakubas, D., and Wojczulanis-Jakubas, K. (2013). Rate and consequences of relaying in Little Auks Alle alle breeding in the High Arctic – an experimental study with egg removal. Journal of Avian Biology 44, 62–68.
Rate and consequences of relaying in Little Auks Alle alle breeding in the High Arctic – an experimental study with egg removal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

James, D. J., and McAllan, I. A. W. (2014). The birds of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean: a review. Australian Field Ornithology 31, S1–S176.

Jouventin, P., and Bried, J. (2001). The effect of mate choice on speciation in Snow Petrels. Animal Behaviour 62, 123–132.
The effect of mate choice on speciation in Snow Petrels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jouventin, P., Lequette, B., and Dobson, F. S. (1999). Age-related mate choice in the Wandering Albatross Animal Behaviour 57, 1099–1106.
| 10328796PubMed |

Keegan, T. W., and Crawford, J. A. (1993). Renesting by Rio Grande Wild Turkeys after brood loss. Journal of Wildlife Management 57, 801–804.
Renesting by Rio Grande Wild Turkeys after brood loss.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lewison, R., Oro, D., Godley, B. J., Underhill, L., Bearhop, S., Wilson, R. P., Ainley, D., Arcos, J. M., Boersma, P. D., Borboroglu, P. G., Boulinier, T., Frederiksen, M., Genovart, M., González-Solís, J., Green, J. A., Grémillet, D., Hamer, K. C., Hilton, G. M., Hyrenbach, K. D., Martínez-Abraín, A., Montevecchi, W. A., Phillips, R. A., Ryan, P. G., Sagar, P., Sydeman, W. J., Wanless, S., Watanukit, Y., Weimerskirch, H., and Yorio, P. (2012). Research priorities for seabirds: improving conservation and management in the 21st century. Endangered Species Research 17, 93–121.
Research priorities for seabirds: improving conservation and management in the 21st century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marchant, S., and Higgins, P. (Eds) (1990). ‘Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 1: Ratites to Ducks.’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne.)

Martin, L., Hannon, S. J., and Rockwell, R. F. (1989). Clutch-size variation and patterns of attrition in fecundity of Willow Ptarmigan. Ecology 70, 1788–1799.
Clutch-size variation and patterns of attrition in fecundity of Willow Ptarmigan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Naves, L. C., Monnat, J. Y., and Cam, E. (2006). Breeding performance, mate fidelity, and nest site fidelity in a long-lived seabird: behaving against the current? Oikos 115, 263–276.
Breeding performance, mate fidelity, and nest site fidelity in a long-lived seabird: behaving against the current?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nisbet, I. C. T., and Dann, P. (2009). Reproductive performance of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor in relation to year, age, pair-bond duration, breeding date and individual quality. Journal of Avian Biology 40, 296–308.
Reproductive performance of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor in relation to year, age, pair-bond duration, breeding date and individual quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Orta, J. (1992). Family Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds). In ‘Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks’. (Eds J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott and J. Sargatal.) pp. 280–289. (Lynx Edicions: Barcelona.)

Pyle, P., Sydeman, W. J., and Hester, M. (2001). Effects of age, breeding experience, mate fidelity and site fidelity on breeding performance in declining populations of Cassin’s Auklets. Journal of Animal Ecology 70, 1088–1097.

R Development Core Team (2013). ‘R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna, Austria.) Available at http://www.R-project.org [Verified 15 June 2014].

Reville, B. J. (1993). ‘A Visitor’s Guide to the Birds of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean.’ (Christmas Island Natural History Association: Christmas Island, Australia.)

Schreiber, E. A., and Burger, J. (2002). ‘Biology of Marine Birds. ’ (CRC Press: Boca Raton, Florida.)

Schreiber, R. W., and Schreiber, E. A. (1984). Central Pacific seabirds and the El Niño Southern Oscillation: 1982 to 1983 perspectives. Science 225, 713–716.
Central Pacific seabirds and the El Niño Southern Oscillation: 1982 to 1983 perspectives.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cvjvFSqsw%3D%3D&md5=ac92f0152e208ce40aedbdc8452edb36CAS | 17810291PubMed |

Schreiber, R. W., and Schreiber, E. A. (1993). Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda). In ‘The Birds of North America’. (Eds A. Poole and F. Gill.) No. 43. (The Academy of Natural Sciences and The American Ornithologists Union: Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, PA.)

Serrano, D., Tella, J. L., Donázar, J. A., and Pomarol, M. (2003). Social and individual features affecting natal dispersal in the colonial Lesser Kestrel. Ecology 84, 3044–3054.
Social and individual features affecting natal dispersal in the colonial Lesser Kestrel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sommerfeld, J. (2008). Foraging ecology and reproduction in Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, Australia. Masters Thesis, University of Hamburg, Hamburg.

Sommerfeld, J., and Hennicke, J. C. (2010). Comparison of trip duration, activity pattern and diving behaviour by Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) during incubation and chick-rearing. Emu 110, 78–86.
Comparison of trip duration, activity pattern and diving behaviour by Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) during incubation and chick-rearing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stokes, T. (1988). A review of the birds of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Occasional Paper 16. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra, ACT.

Switzer, P. V. (1997). Past reproductive success affects future habitat selection. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 40, 307–312.
Past reproductive success affects future habitat selection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tidemann, C. R., Yorkston, H. D., and Russack, A. J. (1994). The diet of Cats, Felis catus, on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Wildlife Research 21, 279–285.
The diet of Cats, Felis catus, on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

VanderWerf, E. A., and Young, L. C. (2014). Breeding biology of Red-tailed Tropicbirds Phaethon rubricauda and response to predator control on O’ahu, Hawai’i. Marine Ornithology 42, 73–76.

Veit, A. C., and Jones, I. L. (2003). Function of tail streamers of Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) as inferred from patterns of variation. Auk 120, 1033–1043.
Function of tail streamers of Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) as inferred from patterns of variation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Weimerskirch, H. (2002). Seabird demography and its relationship with the marine environment. In ‘Biology of Marine Birds’. (Eds E. A. Schreiber and J. Burger.) pp. 115−135. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL.)

Wiens, T. P., and Cuthbert, F. J. (1988). Nest-site tenacity and mate retention of the Piping Plover. Wilson Bulletin 100, 545–553.

Wittenberger, J. F., and Hunt, G. L. (1985). The adaptive significance of coloniality in birds. In ‘Avian Biology. Vol. VIII’. (Eds D. S. Farner, J. R. King and K. C. Parkes.) pp. 1–78 (Chapter 1). (Academic Press: New York.)

Zhang, H., Lu, N., Feng, C., Thurston, S. W., Xia, Y., Zhu, L., and Tu, X. M. (2011). On fitting generalized linear mixed-effects models for binary responses. Statistics in Medicine 30, 2562–2572.
On fitting generalized linear mixed-effects models for binary responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21671252PubMed |