Factors that Influence Red-billed Tropicbird Survival on Pilot Hill, Sint Eustatius

Abstract

Red-billed Tropicbirds breeding on Pilot Hill on the island of Sint Eustatius have been exhibiting an average survival rate of between 30-40%. The influence of nest cavity attributes, environmental covariates, and parent behavior on Red-billed Tropicbird survival were evaluated through nest surveys and camera trap data. Daily survival rate was calculated as a function of selected covariates. Time spent away from the nest by parents and minimum temperature were the most influential factors. Nest attributes and temperature variables did not correlate to survival.