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Potential northward expansion of the breeding range of Red-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris
Citation
ROBINSON, B.W., JOHNSON, A.S., LOVETTE, I.J. & ROMANO, M.D. (2019). Potential northward expansion of the breeding range of Red-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris
Marine Ornithology, 47(2),
229-234.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.47.2.1322
Received 07 January 2019, accepted 16 May 2019
Date Published: 2019/10/15
Date Online: 2019/08/26
Key words: Red-legged Kittiwake, distribution, Bering Sea, St. Matthew Island
Abstract
We report observations of ca. 200 Red-legged Kittiwakes Rissa brevirostris occupying cliff habitat on northern St. Matthew Island, and behaviors that indicate the kittiwakes were attempting to breed. This is the first documentation of Red-legged Kittiwake breeding activity on St. Matthew Island, which represents a potential northward expansion of this species' breeding range by nearly 400 km. During a month-long expedition to St. Matthew and Hall islands in June-July 2018, we observed Red-legged Kittiwakes conducting courtship behaviors, nest building and stamping, and sitting on nests at two locations on the northwest side of St. Matthew Island. We discuss our observations with respect to past observations of the species at this location, and with respect to breeding activities at the nearest known breeding locations on St. Paul and St. George islands.
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