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Research | Open Access

Pair bonds during the annual cycle of a long-distance migrant, the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH & Natural History Society of Northumbria, Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT, UK
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Abstract

Background

The extent to which pairs remain together during the annual cycle is a key question in the behavioural ecology of migratory birds. While a few species migrate and winter as family units, for most the extent to which breeding partners associate in the non-breeding season is unknown. The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) has one of the longest migrations of any species, and the aim of this study was to establish whether or not partners remain together after breeding.

Methods

Leg-mounted geolocators were fitted to breeding pairs of Arctic Terns nesting on the Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK. The devices were recovered for analysis the following year.

Results

Analysis of data for the six pairs which returned the following year showed that partners departed from the colony at different times after breeding and migrated independently to different Antarctic regions. Partners also departed from the Antarctic and turned to the breeding colony independently. One third of the pairs divorced on return.

Conclusions

For long-distance migrants reliant on unpredictable foraging opportunities, it may not be viable to remain as pairs away from the breeding colony. Synchrony in arrival times at the breeding colony may maximise the chance of retaining a familiar partner, but could be affected by environmental factors in wintering areas or along migration routes.

Keywords

MigrationArctic TernPair-bondPartner association

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Avian Research
Volume 12 Issue 1,
January 2021
Article number: 32
DOI: 10.1186/s40657-021-00268-3
Cite this article:
Redfern CPF. Pair bonds during the annual cycle of a long-distance migrant, the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). Avian Research, 2021, 12(1): 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00268-3

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Received: 27 December 2020
Accepted: 08 June 2021
Published: 18 June 2021
© The Author(s) 2021.

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