Density Dependent Double Brooding in Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) in the Northern Great Plains, USA

Authors

Kelsi L. Hunt, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityFollow
Lauren R. Dinan, Nebraska Game and Parks CommissionFollow
Meryl J. Friedrich, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Mary Bomberger Brown, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Joel G. Jorgensen, Nebraska Game and Parks CommissionFollow
Daniel H. Catlin, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
James D. Fraser, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Waterbirds 38(4): 321-329, 2015.

Abstract

Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) are primarily monogamous birds that usually raise only one brood per season, but rare instances of double brooding have been documented. Piping Plovers breeding in the northern Great Plains, USA were studied in two locations: the Missouri River near the Gavins Point Dam (2005- 2013) and the lower Platte River (2008-2013). There were 25 confirmed instances of double brooding on the Missouri River across the 9-year duration of the study. There were no instances of double brooding observed locally on the lower Platte River. However, in 2013, two female Piping Plovers successfully hatched eggs and fledged chicks from nests on the lower Platte River and later were observed nesting for a second time on the Missouri River. Factors predicted to increase the frequency of double brooding are: early nest initiation, male biased sex ratio, age of breeding adults, and decreased nesting density. Our results indicate density is an important factor that accounts for some of the difference in the proportion of double brooding on the Missouri River compared to the lower Platte River. It is likely a combination of factors is responsible for this behavior, previously thought to be rare, in Piping Plovers.