Growth and Survival of Nestling Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla in Norway

Abstract

Kittiwake R. tridactyla chicks on Runde, western Norway grew more slowly and reached a lower peak weight than chicks on 2 small colonies in northern Norway. Survival of chicks was also lower on Runde and chicks which died there tended to be lighter in weight than those which survived. Growth rate depended to some extent on the hatching sequence within 2-chick broods, and 1 yr, when overall chick growth was slow, it depended on brood size. Chick survival was independent of brood size, hatching sequence and egg size. Results are discussed in relation with those of other kittiwake studies and studies of other larid species.