The kleptoparasitism behaviour of frigatebirds is a fascinating example of exploitation in the animal kingdom. To date, such behaviour has never been described before in the Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens breeding population in French Guiana, one of the most important colonies in the Caribbean, which has increased exponentially in recent years, and is subject to mass mortality of chicks, most likely caused by a viral disease. I collected observations of chases and used linear models to identify the factors that contribute to the success of this foraging strategy, estimate the success rate, and the predilection of the host species. Unlike other studies, I found that the presence of adults in the chase highly increases the success rate, while other factors including the duration of the chase and the number of individuals participating to it, are not equally important. I also found a low success of the kleptoparasitism behavior as a feeding strategy independently of the chased species, corroborating previous findings.
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10 May 2024
Adults Determine the Success of Kleptoparasitism in Frigatebirds
Manrico Sebastiano
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Waterbirds
Vol. 46 • No. 2-4
June 2023
Vol. 46 • No. 2-4
June 2023
feeding strategy
frigatebirds
kleptoparasitism
seabirds