The Breeding Biology of the Lesser Noddy on Pelsaert Island, Western Australia

The Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris (melanops) is a small, dark-plumaged, tropical tern which breeds only on three islands in the Houtman Abrolhos, off Western Australia, where it nests in mangrove trees. On Pelsaert Island, in 1991, the single egg clutches were laid over a 102-day period from late August to early December, peaking in September. The incubation period averaged 34 days and the fledging period 40 days. Overall, 60% of eggs hatched and 47% gave rise to free-flying young. Storms caused extensive egg loss from the more exposed nests; some pairs laid replacement eggs. Birds laying earlier in the season tended to use more sheltered sites and, consequently, had a higher reproductive success than those laying later and in more exposed areas.