Nesting behavior in a flock of Chilean flamingos

Abstract

AbstractAfter 2 years in captivity, a flock of wild‐caught Chilean flamingos successfully produced chicks in 1989 and in 1990. Pair fidelity between years was high. The majority of laying pairs in 1990 laid multiple clutches. Over 80% of the eggs laid in both years were broken or rolled off the nest. The role of aggressive interactions in egg loss was investigated. Birds on neighboring mounds were found to have the highest rates of aggression when compared to the rate of aggression between a bird on a mound and a bird passing by. Anecdotal evidence suggests that egg loss occurs during displacements of one pair by another at a nest mound. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.