Frequency and Distribution of Polygyny in Great Lakes Herring Gulls in 1978

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Abstract
Polygynous mating in herring gulls was found only in northern Great Lakes [USA] breeding colonies. In 1978, 21 colonies were censused in northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to provide a baseline from which to gauge any future changes in the distribution and frequency of polygyny. Among 10,740 nests, 33 (0.3%) were double-nests. Double-nests are 2 contiguous nest cups that contain eggs and are attended by 1 male and 2 females. There were 30 (0.3%) nests with more than 4 eggs. These nests usually are attended by only 2 females (female associations). Polygynous groups and female associations were concentrated in northeastern Lake Michigan. The simultaneous occurrence of polygyny and female associations in Great Lakes herring gulls differs from the situation in other gull species in which only female associations were described.