First record of a breeding colony of Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra Lesson, 1831; Sulidae) in the main island of the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco, Brazil)

Ariane Campos Gouvêa,Thayná Jeremias Mello

doi:10.11606/0031-1049.2017.57.11

Abstract

Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is one of the places with the highest richness of seabirds in Brazil; however, little information about the breeding biology of many species is available. Here we report a breeding colony of the Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) in the main island of Fernando de Noronha, and present new data about the natural history and breeding biology of this species.

Highlights

Fernando de Noronha is located in the South Equatorial Atlantic (03°51’S; 32°24’W), and the archipelago belongs to Pernambuco State
138 Gouvêa, A.C. & Mello, T.: A breeding colony of masked booby in main island of the Fernando de Noronha vegetation covered with excreta, eventually filled with small stones or shells (Schreiber & Hensley, 1976; Sick, 1997)
Most adults persist in their breeding colony, but young and not reproductive adults disperse widely (Del Hoyo et al, 1992; Sick, 1997)

Summary

Introduction

Fernando de Noronha is located in the South Equatorial Atlantic (03°51’S; 32°24’W), and the archipelago belongs to Pernambuco State. Fernando de Noronha holds the greatest richness of seabirds in the Brazil, being an important area of breeding and feeding for at least 11 species of seabirds (Schulz-Neto, 2004; Silva, 2008). They are strictly marine and pelagic, preferring deeper areas in relation to other species of boobies (Sick, 1997; Silva & Campos, 2006).

Results

Conclusion