2025/12/24 by Robert Gwiazda · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species #Avian ecology and behavior #Genetic diversity and population structure
paper · doi:10.1080/00063657.2025.2600512
Bird colonies can provide better protection against predators for other bird species, although negative interspecies interactions are possible. The presence of colonies of small gulls (Laridae) and marsh terns Chlidonias spp. is important for breeding Black-necked Grebes. The clutch size and breeding success of Black-necked Grebes were studied at 18 fishponds in southern Poland, with measurements taken of the distance of a grebe nest to the nearest nests of associated species (Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus or Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida). There was no significant difference in the number of eggs laid between Black-necked Grebe nests located within colonies of gulls or terns. However, grebe nests were significantly farther from tern nests than from gull nests. The breeding success of Black-necked Grebes was significantly higher in Black-headed Gull colonies compared to Whiskered Tern colonies, possibly because the greater aggression of terns was directed at the grebes themselves.