Breeding Biology and Behaviour of the Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus) in Southern Nova Scotia

Abstract

Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) were studied in 1975 and 1976 in southern Nova Scotia. The birds arrived on the breeding grounds in late April and soon occupied nesting and feeding territories and initiated courtship. The various behaviours used during the reproductive season, including Horizontal Threat, Parallel Run, Courtship and Distraction Displays are generally similar to those of other plovers. Mean size of nesting territories was 4,000 m2 and nests averaged about 52 m apart. In 1975 most clutches were initiated during the first two weeks of May and in 1976 during the last week of April and the first week of May. Of 68 clutches, 65 had 4 and 3 had 3 eggs. Most eggs were laid at approximately 48 hour intervals; the longest interval was 77 hours. Incubation averaged 28 days; one extreme of 38 days was recorded. Egg size in 50 clutches varied significantly among females but not with order of laying. Average number of young hatching per nest was 3.08 in 1975 and 2.88 in 1976. Growth rates of most chicks were higher than those reported for birds in New York, and chicks with lower growth rates had greater mortality than other chicks. The fledging period is at least 27 days. A fledging rate of about 1.3 to 2.1 young per pair per year was obtained on one remote beach, while fledging rate on eight beaches receiving recreational use was approximately .73 to 1.1 chicks per pair per year. Departure from the breeding grounds takes place during July and August. The population of Piping Plovers in Nova Scotia is estimated to be 60 to 75 pairs. In Canada east of the prairies (excluding the uncensused north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence) the population is probably 250 to 350 pairs, and it appears unlikely that the entire Canadian population could number more than 1000 breeding pairs.