Long-distance dispersal of a Cape Gannet Morus capensis after extended period of nest-site fidelity
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Date
Authors
Jordaan, Rowan Keith
McIntyre, Trevor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Seabird Group
Abstract
The Cape Gannet Morus capensis is endemic to southern Africa,
where the species typically displays high levels of nest-site fidelity
to its breeding colonies (Crawford 2005). At Mkambati Nature
Reserve, in June 2014, we recorded a dead Cape Gannet that had
been ringed as a juvenile at Lambert’s Bay, ~1 500 km away, in
1991. Following initial banding, it had been recaptured multiple
times at the ringing location until 2000. Our observation therefore
may provide evidence for long-distance dispersal that took place
after an extended period of high site fidelity. We speculate that this
dispersal may have been caused by seal-related disturbance at the
Lambert’s Bay colony or by prey distribution changes or both.
Description
Keywords
Cape Gannet Morus capensis, Nest-site, Lambert’s Bay, Banding
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Jordaan, RK & McIntyre, T 2016, 'Long-distance dispersal of a Cape Gannet Morus capensis after extended period of nest-site fidelity', Marine Ornithology, vol. 44, pp. 1-2.