Body dimensions of Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus fledglings at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, and the importance of timing to breeding

摘要: Body weights and dimensions were recorded for 70 fledglings at Heron Island, on the southern Great Barrier Reef. Results show that length of longest primary feather tarsus significantly different between habitats, with Fringe showing highest Buildings area lowest means. This outcome probably resulted from most nestlings measured in being progeny early breeders. Variability breeding cycle may have confounded analyses body weight dimensions. When data grouped according to timing laying, breeders showed lower hatching success. Both these results are useful detecting inter-annual differences this locality or comparisons colonies located elsewhere.