NEST-SITE SELECTION, INTERSPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS, AND NEST SUCCESS OF KING EIDERS

Abstract

Abstract We investigated factors influencing nest success in King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis) at Karrak Lake, Nunavut, Canada, during 1995–2001. Island-nesting King Eiders had higher nest success (range 30–89%) than that reported for mainland-nesting populations, and nested at much higher densities (46–198 nests km−2) than on mainland, where they were detected infrequently (usually <1 nest km−2). Predation was the main cause of nest failure, and King Eider nest success was greater on isolated islands (smaller islands, and larger islands farther from the mainland) that were presumably less accessible to mammalian predators. King Eiders did not derive protection from predators by nesting near gulls (Larus spp.) and Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea). Seleccion del Sitio de Nidificacion, Asociaciones Interespecificas y Exito de Nidificacion de Somateria spectabilis Resumen. Investigamos los factores que influencian el exito de nidificacion de Somateria spectabilis en Karrak Lake, Nunavut, Canada, durante 19...