Microclimatic features of Gray Gull, Larus modestus, nests in the Atacama Desert
Fitzpatrick, L.C. and Guerra, C.G. 1988.
Microclimatic features of Gray Gull, Larus modestus, nests in the Atacama Desert.
Le Gerfaut, 78: 421–428.
Abstract
Gray Gulls nest in the pampas of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile 35–100 km from the coast, where small rocks provide favorable microclimate for their chicks. Unattended chicks find partial refuge from the high ground and air temperatures during the day at the SW side of small rocks. Compared with more-exposed areas, ground temperature in the chick refuge averages 17°C lower (x̄ = 34 vs. 51°C). At night, refuges shelter the chicks from the cold- dry winds from the Andes.
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