ASPECTS OF THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

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Abstract
Hockey, P. A. R. 1983. Aspects of the breeding biology of the African Black Oystercatcher. Ostrich 54:26-35. Fifty-five pairs of African Black Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini bred at Marcus Island in 1979–1980. Sixteen pairs laid replacement clutches: the mean interval between loss of the fist clutch and laying of a replacement clutch was 22,2 days. Mean inter-nest distance was 19,4 m. The modal clutch size was 2, with a mean of 1.74. Mean dimensions of 105 eggs were 60,7 × 40,l mm and mean fresh egg mass was 55,s g. There were differences in egg mass and dimensions between eggs in one- and two-egg clutches. Rate of egg loss was high, due mainly to depredation by Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus promoted by human disturbance. Fledging success was lower at a disturbed site than at undisturbed sites, with highest chick mortality occurring in the first week of life. Mortality of first-year birds of eight days and older was estimated at 48% and 69% in two successive seasons. All juvenile birds dispersed from the natal sites, and were resighted up to 168 km away. Dispersed juveniles were concentrated at the edge of an area of high oystercatcher density.