Differential Reproductive Success of Ospreys in New Jersey
Steidl RJ, Griffin CR, Niles LJ. 1991. Differential Reproductive Success of Ospreys in New Jersey. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 55(2):266-272
To determine factors responsible for low productivity of ospreys nesting along Delaware Bay, a comparison was made of their reproductive success to birds nesting along the Atlantic Coast during 1987 and 1988. In Delaware Bay 50% of all nests initiated failed, whereas 21% of Atlantic Coast nests failed. 50% of all eggs laid in the Bay colony hatched, compared to 69% in the Atlantic Coast colony. Nestling mortality was similar between colonies but 21% of those young hatched near the Bay were probably preyed upon by great horned owls. Although Delaware Bay ospreys spent more time away from their nests, presumably foraging, than did Atlantic Coast birds, adults from both colonies spent similar amounts of time feeding young, which suggests that food stress did not influence productivity. High frequency of unhatched eggs and thinner eggshells of ospreys along Delaware Bay suggests possible exposure to environmental contaminants that may reduce hatching success.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Steidl, Robert; Griffin, Curtice; Niles, Lawrence
- Units
- VOYA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Colonies, Contaminants, Delaware Bay, Eggs, Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus), Nests & Nesting, Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Productivity, Reproductive Success