INTERANNUAL VARIATION IN EGG NEGLECT AND INCUBATION ROUTINE OF RHINOCEROS AUKLETS CERORHINCA MONOCERATA DURING THE 1998-1999 EL NIÑO / LA NIÑA EVENTS

Unlike terrestrial birds, many species of seabirds forage far from their breeding sites. Alternating nest attendance by the two parents allows for long distance foraging trips during lengthy incubation periods. Even so, limited food availability or poor weather can sometimes delay birds in their return to the nest. Thus, egg temperatures may drop to ambient levels for periods of a day or more (Wheelwright & Boersma 1979, Gaston & Powell 1989, Warham 1990), even in localities where the ambient summer temperature is as low as 0°C (Roberts 1940, Pefaur 1974).