Growth, fledging success and post‐fledging survival of juvenile Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Abstract

We studied the consequences of differences in growth rate on the subsequent survival of Oystercatcher Haernatopus ostralegus chicks. Fledging success increased sharply with growth rate, from zero in chicks growing at less than 6 g per day to about 85% in chicks growing at more than 10 g per day. The age at which chicks fledged varied from 27 to 52 days. Chicks which fledged at an early age displayed a much faster growth rate than later fledging chicks. Although slow growth resulted in a considerable prolongation of the period before fledging, slow-growing chicks fledged at a smaller size and with a lower body-weight than fast-growing chicks. After fledging, all chicks remained almost completely dependent on their parents up to an age of 3 months and often longer.Almost 40% of the fledglings eventually returned to the breeding area. This figure probably reflects post-fledging survival. Age and size at fledging had no effect on a chick's probability of return. Body-weight at fledging had a small positive correlation with the return probability, but this was not statistically significant. We conclude that although slow growth severely reduces a chick's chance of fledging, it probably does not result in irreversible damage causing an increased risk of mortality during the first years after fledging. Apparently, any possible disadvantage associated with small size or low bodyweight could be compensated for after fledging.

Reproductive Success of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) in Texas

“…Chick mortality is most common at an early age in other oystercatcher species as well. In a study of Eurasian Oystercatchers, Kersten and Brenninkmeijer (1995) found that only 44% of chicks survived to 12 days old. Hazlitt and Butler (2001) also found mortality to be highest within the first week after hatching in Black Oystercatchers (H. bachmani).…”

Revealing the contributions of reproduction and survival to the Europe-wide decline in meadow birds: review and meta-analysis

“…Finally, for population models more data on the proportion of adults that start breeding are badly needed, together with the occurrence of replacement clutches and data on dispersal, immigration and emigration. Neve and Van Noordwijk (1997), (9) Kersten and Brenninkmeijer (1995), (10) Le V.Dit Durell et al (2000), (11) Hulscher (1989), (12) Safriel et al (1984), (13) Harris (1970), (14) Schnakenwinkel (1970), (15) Boyd (1962), (16) Grosskopf (1964), (17) Jungfer (1954) in Boyd (1962) See Table 7. Abbreviations: see Appendix 2…”

Age-Related Survival and Behavior of Snowy Plover Chicks

“…After leaving the nest, chicks are tended by parents for varying periods, during which time they become increasingly independent. As they age, chicks become more proficient at thermoregulating (Visser and Ricklefs 1993, Schekkermann and Visser 2001, Schekkermann et al 2003, foraging (Kersten and Brenninkmeijer 1995), and evading predators (Powell 1992). A consequence of this increasing independence is a tendency for chick survival to increase with age.…”