The ecology of the sea birds of Aldabra

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of investigations into the numbers, distribution, breeding and moulting seasons and food of all the species of sea bird known to breed on Aldabra, and briefly records the non-breeding species seen. This is a preliminary progress report only; a fuller treatment of the ecology of the sea bird community is in preparation. The work reported here was carried out from September 1967 to late March 1968 on the Royal Society Expedition to Aldabra; later work, from March to September 1969, will be referred to only in passing. Counts of breeding species are given in table 1, and the locations of colonies of frigate birds, boobies and colonial terns are shown in figures 1 and 2. Place names mentioned in the text will be found on the place name map in this volume, Stoddart, p. 632.