Analysis of recovery data of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and royal terns (Sterna maxima) banded in South Carolina
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Date
2014-08-19
Authors
Stefan, Stacy J.
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Abstract
The nesting populations of Brown Pelicans and Royal Terns in South Carolina have experienced declines over the last 10-12 years, the cause of which is unknown. This study examined recoveries of Brown Pelicans and Royal Terns banded in South Carolina since the 1930s. Band recovery locations were spatially analyzed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to determine areas used by South Carolina-banded Brown Pelicans and Royal Terns during the breeding and overwintering periods. Both species use areas inside and outside the United States during the winter and Royal Terns use areas inside and outside of the United States in the summer and winter. Brown Pelican winter recoveries were clustered in areas north of their breeding sites. Mature and immature recoveries of both species were clustered along the coast of Florida during the winter and breeding season. Although most mature summer recoveries of both species were found in South Carolina, a large proportion of both species mature summer recoveries were found in other states. Immature summer recoveries of both species were found closer to their banding sites with age. This study suggests that management aimed to prevent further declines of Brown Pelicans and Royal Terns in the Southeastern region of the United States should use regionally consistent, coordinated efforts but should ideally be of international scale.
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Keywords
Brown pelican; Terns; Wildlife management -- South Carolina