Post-Fledging Parental Care in Crested and Sooty Terns

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Abstract
Crested terns Thalasseus bergii juveniles were fed by their presumed parents until Aug. 16 after which they frequently begged but were not seen to be fed. From May to Aug. juveniles accompanied adults on fishing excursions but always returned to shore to be fed. Sooty terns Sterna fuscata were entirely dependent on their parents for food up to 12 1/2 wk of age, at which time they left the colony and were not seen again in the colony. Flight and feeding behavior of juvenile and adult are described. Attempts to confirm that juveniles depended upon their parents after they left the colony were not successful.