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Incubation and early chick-rearing in the Grey-backed Storm Petrel (Garrodia nereis)

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    1989

  • Author(s)

    A.R. Plant

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    36, 2

  • Pagination

    141-147

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

Grey-backed storm petrel; Garrodia nereis; breeding


Incubation and early chick-rearing in the Grey-backed Storm Petrel (Garrodia nereis)

Notornis, 36 (2), 141-147

A.R. Plant (1989)

Article Type: Paper

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The breeding of the Grey-backed Storm Petrel (Garrodia nereis) at Houruakopara Island in the Chatham Islands (44° 06′ S, 176° 31′ W) was investigated and the nest site, egg, and chick are described. Both parents incubated the egg in poorly synchronised shifts averaging 1.9 days. generally followed by a desertion period of 2.7 days. Eggs hatched from mid-November, and the chick was brooded by either parent for up to 4 days after hatching. Chicks were fed on average every 1.6 days and the size of each feeding increased with age.  The average daily increase in body weight was 12.6%, and by 17 days the weight of the chicks equalled that of the adults. Evidence of competition for nest sites within the species and with Broadbilled Prions (Pachyptila vittata) and Little Blue Penguins (Eudyptula minor) is discussed and a list of food items taken from regurgitations is presented.