Reprodução de duas aves limícolas (CHARADRIIFORMES) residentes no sítio WHSRN Banco dos Cajuais, Ceará, Brasil

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the reproductive aspects and breeding success of the Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) and the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) in an internationally important area for shorebirds conservation in Brazil, the WHSRN site – Banco dos Cajuais, acknowledged by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. For this, were performed nests survey and monitoring in the area, systematically, between May 2020 and February 2021. The reproductive period identified for Charadrius wilsonia was from February to October. The mean clutch size was 2,2 eggs, the average egg length was 36,7 mm and the average width was 26,2 mm. The nest was considered successful (NS) when hatched at least one egg. The hatching success (HS) was calculated as the percentage of hatched eggs in relation to the total number of eggs found and the fledging success (FS) was calculated as the percentage of fledged chicks in relation to the total number of chicks found. Charadrius wilsonia NS was 71,42%, the HS was 81,25% and the FS was 53,84%, highlighting a greater loss in productivity during the growth period of the chicks. The reproductive period identified for Haematopus palliatus was from February to September. The mean clutch size was 2 eggs, the average egg length was 53,7 mm and the average width was 36,6 mm. Haematopus palliatus NS was 60%, the HS was 52,63% and the FS 70%, highlighting a greater loss in productivity during the incubation period of the eggs. Replacement clutches were observed for both species, as well as the presence of human residues in the composition of their nests.