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To Breed or Not to Breed |
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Sea birds such as pelicans, frigates and terns postpone nesting in anticipation of an El Niño. Their favorite foods-fish and squid-become scarce early in an El Niño event. With less food available, sea birds often don't breed, or they abandon nests and chicks. It makes more "evolutionary sense" for the birds to ensure their own survival so they can breed successfully when more food becomes plentiful again. |
A male great frigate sits atop a nest, next to the bones of a frigate chick that died during the 1982 El Niño. Click to view full image. |
