On the reproductive biology of the Cape Pigeon (Daption capense capense) at Laurie Island, South Orkneys

Abstract

I present data on breeding of Cape Pigeons (Daption capense) at Cerro Mossman, Laurie Island, South Orkneys. The adults paired in November 1989 and the latest chicks departed in March 1990. In a 50 - day period, between January and March, chicks were able to duplicate the adult weight (as registered during this work). The maximum mean mass at 30 days of birth was 496.3 g. At departure the chick's weight declined to 337.5 g. Five of twenty pairs were non-reproductive. Two chicks were predated and only one on fifteen eggs was infertile.