Female Roseate Tern fledges a chick following the death of her mate during the incubation period

J. A. Spendelow; James M. Zingo

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USGS · 70019233

Female Roseate Tern fledges a chick following the death of her mate during the incubation period

J. A. Spendelow·James M. Zingo

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Abstract

Despite the death of her mate during the incubation period and a shortage (or lack of availability) of food in nearby waters, a female Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) nesting at the Falkner Island Unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut was able to raise a chick to fledging in 1995 without human assistance. The growth and development of this chick was slower than that of other single chicks in the colony; it never weighed more than 90 g and did not fledge until 32 days of age. Despite this exceptional female's ability to rear a chick on her own, this observation supports the idea that biparental care is important in Roseate Terns, particularly during years of food shortage.

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J. A. Spendelow, James M. Zingo. 1997. Female Roseate Tern fledges a chick following the death of her mate during the incubation period. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70019233

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