Antipredator benefits of nest-site selection in Black-legged Kittiwakes

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between nest-site characteristics and breeding performance of Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) on Great Island, Newfoundland, during 2 years of extreme predation pressure. The nest-site feature most consistently associated with egg and chick survival was rock overhang above the nest. The presence of rock projections beside nests was positively correlated with success in 1993, and rock protrusions below the nest were not associated with breeding success in either year. Central position in the colony was positively correlated and nest density negatively correlated with success in 1992. Consistent differences in chick production among colony regions reflected differences in large-scale cliff structure and predator accessibility. This study implicates large- and fine-scale aspects of nest-site selection by Black-legged Kittiwakes, with large-scale cliff structure being the most important.