Black-naped Tern Research Articles

Breeding Success and Mortality of Terns at One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef

Defence of the nest by Black-naped, Roseate, Lesser Crested and Crested Terns and strategies of predation used by Silver Gulls were studied. Strategies used by Gulls differed as did the rate of success between individuals and only a few were responsible for most predation. Their behaviour was affected by the size of the defender of the eggs or chicks and by the size of an egg. Breeding success and causes of mortality of eggs and chicks of Black-naped, Roseate, Bridled and Crested Terns were determined. Mortality resulted mainly from predation (1.6 to 83.1%), flooding of nesting areas (6.6 to 50.6%) and starvation (< 82.4%) caused by a cyclone preventing adults foraging for at least three days. However, the importance of these causes of mortality differed among colonies over three successive breeding seasons. Although the breeding success of Lesser Crested Terns was determined, the main causes of mortality were not. The generalizations that populations are limited by abundance of food or competition for it are discussed. Breeding success of Black-naped and Roseate Terns is too low to maintain the present size of their colonies at One Tree Island. In contrast, the colonies of the Bridled and Crested Terns can be maintained or possibly increased, depending on post-fledging mortality.

The Robbing Behaviour of Terns and Gulls

The robbing behaviour of some larids at One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, was observed. Terns usually were moderately successful when robbing members of their own species but stole only a few fish brought into a colony. Between species, Roseate Terns rarely succeeded though they often tried to rob Black-naped Terns whereas Silver Gulls frequently succeeded and often tried to rob Lesser Crested and Crested Terns. The number of attempts by most species was greatest during high tide when the most pirates were round the colonies. The success of Silver Gulls varied in time and place. Some of the variables that affected the success were the number of Gulls attacking a tern, the length of the fish, the size of the pirate relative to its victim and the strategy used.

Waterbirds diversity in Peniti mangrove forest, Pontianak Regency

The aim of this research was to know waterbirds diversity in the Peniti mangrove forest, Pontianak Regency. This research was found 19 species (9 families) of waterbirds that living in the Peniti mangrove forest, Pontianak Regency, West Kalimantan. This identification showed that four species were member of Sternitidae Family, three species were member of Ardeidae Family, other three species were member of Anatidae Family, two species were member of Laridae Family, two species from Accipritidae Family, and Alcedinidae Family. One species from Ciconidae Family, Scolopacidae Family, and Ploceidae Family. Thirteen species of them were protected in Indonesia; there were Egretta garzetta, E. sacra, Ardea cinerea, Ciconia episcopus, Larus ridibundus, L. brunnicephalus, Sterna sumatrana, S. dougallii, Anous minutus, Gygis alba, Halcyon pileata, Todirhamphus chloris, and Lonchura fuscans. Lochura fuscans was belonging to Indonesian endemic birds, because we only found this bird species in Kalimantan Islands. Two species, Haliaetus leucogaster and Haliastur indus were the International protected species according to Appendix II Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). © 2006 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: waterbirds, protected, endemic, species.

Seabird colonies of the Nakanogami Island, Ryukyus

1. Results of investigations of seabird colonies on Nakanogami I., 16km SW of Iriomote I., S. Ryukyus, made by the author on 8 June, 1965 and 8 Aug. 1967, are reported, with notes on the geology, fauna, flora and history of research.2. The seabird colonies, with the estimated population of some 50, 000 birds, consisted of Sterna fuscata 75%, Calonectris leucomelas 15%, Anous stolidus 7%, Sula leucogaster 3%, and Sula dactylatra and Sterna sumatrana were observed. Albatrosses, formerly reported were not found.3. This island is of particular importance, along with Senkaku Is., as a seabird breeding place in the Ryukyu chain and has been authorized as a Natural Monument, as the result of this investigation.4. Being close to Iriomote I., it is easier for protective control than Senkaku Is. But egg-poachers from surrounding islands are still causing considerable damage and protective measure should be taken seriously.

A bird survey of Iriomote I., Yaeyama Group, S. Ryu Kyus

1. As an expedition member of Yokkaichi Minami High School to the Yaeyama Group, S. Ryu Kyus, the author investigated birds on Iriomote I. and the adjacent Nakano-Kamijima.2. Thirty eight species of 23 Families including 7 species new to the islands, were recorded of which 32 species were common to Japan and 37 to Formosa. Nineteen species were common to Japan and 21 to Formosa as subspecies.3. The islands are of special interest as an intergrading area between oriental and palearctic zones and among observed species, the following were interesting zoogeographically and ecologically: Passer montanus (new record), Lanius cristatue lucionensis (on migration), Hirundo tahitica, Sula dactylatra, Thalasseus bergii, Streptopelia orientalis stimpsoni and Sterna sumatrana. The latter two species breed on a small rocky island and Streptopelia were breeding colonially in high density at a grassy place (not on the) and flew over the sea to the feeding place on the oposite coast.4. On Nakano-Kamijima, there was a mixed sea-bird colony consisting of Anous stolidus, sterna fuscata, Calonectris leucomelas (possibly the southern limit), and Sula leucogaster, with the total of some 20, 000 individuals. There habitat segregation especially between Sterna and Anous was demarcated.5. On this island sea-bird eggs are being taken in great numbers and the protection from this is considered to be urgently needed.

Nesting and Defensive Behavior of the Black-Naped Tern in the Maldive Islands

Nesting and Defensive Behavior of the Black-Naped Tern in the Maldive Islands