FEMALE ROSEATE TERN FLEDGES A CHICK FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF HER MATE DURING THE INCUBATION PERIOD

Despite the death of her mate during the incubation period and a short age (or lack of availability) of food in nearby waters, a female Rosea te Tern (Sterna dougallii) nesting at the Falkner Island Unit of the S tewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut was able to raise a chick to fledging in 1995 without human assistance. The growt h and development of this chick was slower than that of other single c hicks in the colony; it never weighed more than 90 g and did not fledg e until 32 days of age. Despite this exceptional female's ability to r ear a chick on her own, this observation supports the idea that bipare ntal care is important in Roseate Terns, particularly during years of food shortage.