Oviposition behavior in Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens)

Little is known about oviposition in colonial seabirds. Egg-laying behaviors of Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) were recorded using custom-modified digital pocket spy cameras. Oviposition involved standing or crouching over the nest, a series of contractions while assuming a characteristic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Wilson journal of ornithology 2015-09, Vol.127 (3), p.486-493
Main Authors: Atkins, Gordon J., Sandler, Amanda G., McLarty, Mindy, Henson, Shandelle M., Hayward, James L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal breeding
Behavior
Birds
Cameras
camouflage
cannibalism
Censuses
egg laying
Eggs
Gulls
Larus glaucescens
MAJOR ARTICLES
Observations
Physiological aspects
Predation
Studies
synchrony
vocalization
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife sanctuaries
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Summary:Little is known about oviposition in colonial seabirds. Egg-laying behaviors of Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) were recorded using custom-modified digital pocket spy cameras. Oviposition involved standing or crouching over the nest, a series of contractions while assuming a characteristic posture, a short labor vocalization at the peak of contraction by some gulls, and a drying time while standing over the nest after oviposition. Active camouflage by some females was noted while sitting on the nest prior to and after oviposition and after an egg robbery occured. Eggs were laid throughout the day and night. Not surprisingly, given that our study occurred during the first part of the egg-laying season, Poisson regression analysis showed that egg laying increased with the day of the year. It decreased with solar elevation. Egg losses by cannibalism and predation increased with rising tides and with the day of year when more eggs were present. The implications for egg censuses are discussed.
ISSN:1559-4491
1938-5447
DOI:10.1676/14-151.1