Survival rate and mate fidelity in the Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
BOANO G., CUCCO M., MALACARNE G. and ORECCHIA G.Abstract:
Survival and fidelity both to the mate and to the nest were studied in a colony of Pallid Swifts in Piedmont (NW Italy). An overall adult survival rate of 75%, as estimated by the Jolly-Seber and related methods, was found in the whole colony. Females and males showed no differences in survival rate; the mean life span as an adult was 3.61 years. Adult breeding birds showed a wide range of strategies: some were faithful to the nest cavity or to the partner for many years, but a considerable percentage of birds changed cavity and/or partner year after year. Compared with other European species of swifts, the Pallid Swift seems to be characterized by slightly lower survival and less intense mate and nest fidelity.