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Costs of parental neglect in the brown noddy ( Anous stolidus )

1990; NRC Research Press; Volume: 68; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1139/z90-286

1480-3283

Ralph D. Morris, John W. Chardine,

Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

We observed several instances of attacks by conspecific adults on brown noddy (Anous stolidus) chicks that were associated with joint parental absence from the nest site. Attacks were by immediate neighbours and by single or pairs of brown noddy adults apparently prospecting for a nesting ledge. One instance of infanticide was observed and the ledge was subsequently occupied by a pair of noddies. We suggest some adaptive reasons for such behaviour.