HATCHING, GROWTH, AND MORTALITY OF MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD CHICKS IN SOUTHERN BAJA-CALIFORNIA

Citation
R. Carmona et al., HATCHING, GROWTH, AND MORTALITY OF MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD CHICKS IN SOUTHERN BAJA-CALIFORNIA, The Wilson bulletin, 107(2), 1995, pp. 328-337
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Ornithology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00435643
Volume
107
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Pages
328 - 337
Database
ISI
SICI code
0043-5643(1995)107:2<328:HGAMOM>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
We studied growth and development of chicks of the Magnificent Frigate bird (Fregata magnificens) in 1985, 1986, and 1988 at a colony on Isla Santa Margarita, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Hatching peaked at week s 7, 12, 17.5, and 23.3 of the calendar year. Hatching frequencies aro und each peak were distributed normally. Growth was analyzed using Ric hards' model. Total length had the lowest growth rate and mass the hig hest. The asymptote for mass was reached before 150 days, as was the a symptote for culmen; the asymptotes for wing and wingspan were reached later. Chick mortality, recorded over a six-month period, was conside red to be low (46%). During the same period there was 90% replacement and new occupation of nests, which resulted in temporal and spatial cl ustering of the clutches laid during the season.