Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Science Article 1 abstract The breeding biology of Little Blue Herons (Egretta caerulea) nesting in Santos-Cubatao, southeastern Brazil, was studied during the 1997 (75 monitored nests) and 1998 (65 nests) breeding seasons in one colony (Saboo River), and during the 1997 season (58 nests) in another colony nearby (Morrao River). […]
Influence of plumage colour on prey response:does habitat alter heron crypsis to prey?
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Science Article 5 abstract The foraging strategies of wading birds may be influenced by their degree of crypsis to aquatic prey. Whiteplumage has been hypothesized to be adaptive for herons hunting in open water habitats. We tested thishypothesis with laboratory and field experiments with multiple prey species.We investigated the responseof […]
Notes on the plumages and generic status of the Little Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Science Article 3 abstract The juvenal plumage of the Little Blue Heron (Florida caerulea) has always been described as white with dull brownish gray tips to the primaries (Palmer, 1962: 428, and earlier authors). In September 1962, when Dickermanw as collectingb lood specimensfr om nestling h rons in a large […]
Predation as a selective force on foraging herons: effects of plumage color and flocking
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Science Article 6 abstract Experiments using model herons in natural mangrove habitats demonstrated that more hawks are attracted to white than to blue herons. Both Common Black-Hawks (Buteogalluas nthracinus) and crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) were observed preying on adult herons in Panama. Solitary herons were at greater risk than flocked foragers. […]
Aplomado Falcon Steals Prey From Little Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Science Article 2 abstract A juvenile male Aplomado Falcon (Falcofemoralis) was observed to steal crayfish(Cambarus diogenes) from Little Blue Herons (Egretta caerulea). Crayfish are not known tobe a common prey item of the Aplomado Falcon. To our knowledge this is the first instanceof piracy reported for this falcon. Falcons of […]
The Little Blue Heron in California
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Science Article 4 abstract On 4 July 1976 William T. Everett, Curtis Stuteville and I discovered an adult Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) near the mouth of the New River at the south end of the Salton Sea, Imperial County. This bird was perching in an area of drowned trees […]
Lesser White-fronted Goose expedition to Eastern Syria, February 2007
Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) Science Article 3 abstract The expedition was carried out on 9-11 February 2007, as planned in earlier correspondence with the team working on the protection of Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus as well as Syrian and regional ornithologists. Participants included Anssi Kullberg currently working for the Finnish Embassy in Damascus […]
Nesting success and status of the least tern breeding colony at gibson lake in southwestern indiana
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) Science Article 6 abstract Federally-endangered interior least terns (Sterna antillarum) have nested at Gibson Lake in southwestern Indiana since 1986. In 2003 and 2004 we evaluated nesting success of least terns and identified factors influencing their productivity at Gibson Lake . In 2003 least terns nested only at secondary breeding sites, […]
Seabird geographic variation: similarity among populations of leach’s storm-petrel
Leachs Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) Science Article 2 abstract We assessed geographic variation in 13 locality samples of Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), 12 from the Pacific coast and I from the Atlantic coast ofNorth America. Nine phenetic characters were used with canonical variates analysis to determine similarity among samples. Regression of phenetic distance on geographic distancemeasured […]
Where two oceans meet: distribution and offshore interactions of great-winged petrels Pterodroma macroptera and Leach’s storm petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa off southern Africa
Leachs Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) Science Article 1 abstract During seabird surveys off southern Africa, great-winged petrel Pterodroma macroptera and Leach’s storm petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa were widespread and relatively common. Similar aerial displays, frequent (social) interactions, a tendency to ‘huddle’ in tight (mixed) gatherings and interactions during foraging inspired a study of their behaviour and distribution. […]