Nest shelter predicts nesting success but not nesting phenology or parental behaviors in high arctic Northern Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis

摘要

The physical characteristics of nest sites are thought to influence both the outcome of breeding attempts and breeding behavior in colonial seabirds. We examined the relationship between nest shelter in breeding Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), at the remote Cape Vera colony on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada, and timing of nesting, reproductive success, and the amounts of time parents spent in different behaviors. Fulmars nesting in sheltered caves experienced lower predation pressure and produced more chicks than Fulmars nesting on exposed ledges. Experimental nests at such cave sites also had lower depredation rates than experimental nests on ledges. There were no differences between Fulmars at different nest types in their laying dates, incubation shifts, incubation period, or the amount of time they allocated to behaviors at the nest. Parents with nests at sheltered cave sites appeared to have higher thermoregulatory costs. We postulate parental experience is more important than costs associated with physical characteristics of nest sites in influencing behavior of incubating Fulmars.