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Adult survival and productivity of Hutton's Shearwaters
Author(s) -
Cuthbert Richard,
Davis Lloyd S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1046/j.1474-919x.2002.00071.x
Subject(s) - puffinus , burrow , shearwater , occupancy , population , seabird , biology , endangered species , seasonal breeder , ecology , breeding pair , fishery , zoology , predation , demography , habitat , sociology
Accurate estimation of breeding and survival parameters is essential to assess the population viability of the endangered Hutton's Shearwater Puffinus huttoni . This study investigated the accuracy of using field signs, an infrared ‘burrowscope’ and inspection hatches to monitor burrow occupancy and breeding success. Inspection hatches proved to be the most reliable means of measuring burrow occupancy and breeding success, and Hutton's Shearwaters appear to tolerate disturbance from this method. Data collected from inspection hatches over a 10‐year period indicate that breeding success has averaged 46.5%, and that 70.5% of burrows are occupied by an incubating bird at the start of the breeding season. This occupancy figure suggests that the population of Hutton's Shearwaters may be closer to 106 000 breeding pairs than the 134 000 pairs previously estimated. Annual adult survival is estimated to be 93.1%. These values of breeding success and adult survival are very similar to published data on Puffinus species breeding in environments free from introduced predators.