An Effective Method for Trapping Both Parents and Chicks of Whiskered Terns (Chlidonias hybrida) and Its Impact on Breeding Success

A method for trapping both parents of Whiskered Terns (Chlidonias hybrida), a semi-precocial species, using enclosures that allow access to the chicks until they fledge is described. The approach combines the gradual installation of enclosures with their subsequent, temporary conversion into traps u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Waterbirds (De Leon Springs, Fla.) Fla.), 2015-09, Vol.38 (3), p.290-295
Main Authors: Ledwoń, Mateusz, Betleja, Jacek, Neubauer, Grzegorz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adults
birds
breeding
breeding success
capture method
chicks
Chlidonias
Chlidonias hybrida
fledglings
nest desertion
nests
parents
trapping
traps
Whiskered Terns
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Summary:A method for trapping both parents of Whiskered Terns (Chlidonias hybrida), a semi-precocial species, using enclosures that allow access to the chicks until they fledge is described. The approach combines the gradual installation of enclosures with their subsequent, temporary conversion into traps used to capture adult birds. The success rate for trapping both mates on the target nests (n = 83) was 77%. Nest desertions after the erection of the enclosure and after trapping were 1% and 3%, respectively. A high effectiveness of trapping both parents and a low percentage of losses can be achieved with the gradual installation of the enclosure and the birds' habituation to it. This trapping technique is safe and efficient, enabling researchers to collect samples from all family members with ease.
ISSN:1524-4695
1938-5390
DOI:10.1675/063.038.0309