Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Breeding biology and early life history of the tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata)

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  • The breeding biology and early life history of the Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) were studied for two years on Goat Island, Curry County, Oregon. Artificial nest boxes were used to minimize disturbance and provide easy access to puffin eggs and chicks. Utilization of these boxes was 47.5% and 57.5% in 1981 and 1982, respectively. Egg laying began each year in early May and continued until mid-June; a total of 46 eggs was produced and 31 eggs hatched. Four precisely known incubation periods had a mean of 42.8 days; the estimated mean for the remaining 27 eggs was 43.6 days. Eight chicks fledged each year. In 1981, the mean estimated nestling period was 57.6 days; in 1982, it was 50.5 days. Precise laying, hatching and fledging dates were obtained for 2 chicks in 1982. These gave total incubation and nestling periods of 91 (41+50) and 92 (43+49) days. Chicks were fed primarily during the morning hours shortly after dawn and again several hours before dark; very little feeding activity was observed during the afternoon hours. Food items collected from nest boxes consisted of three species in 1981 and seven species in 1982. Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) made up approximately 50% of the items collected during both years. Chicks received an average daily food intake of 71.3 gms in 1982 based on 4.7 deliveries/day X 2.3 items/delivery X 6.6 gms/item. Chicks in 1981 gained an average of 6.6 gms/day and fledged at a mean weight of 437.1 gms. In 1982, chicks gained an average of 9.0 gms/day and fledged at 516.9 gms. Weight and growth measurements for culmen, manus and tarsus were taken on a weekly basis. Mean weekly culmen, manus and tarsus measurements provided more consistent information with regard to age of the chick than did weight. Weight may better serve as an indicator of food availability. Nesting success, based on total chicks fledged for the number of active nest boxes, was 38% for the two years of this study.
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