Custer, T. W., and Mitchell, C. A., 1987, Organochlorine contaminants and
reproductive success of black skimmers in south Texas, USA, 1984: Journal of
Field Ornithology, v. 58, no. 4, p. 480-489.

Abstract: 

Ninety-four Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger) nests on a dredged-material island
colony near Laguna Vista, Texas, were fenced and monitored in 1984 from early
incubation until 21 d after the last egg hatched. The daily probability of success
was greater during the nestling (99.7%/d/nest) period than during the incubation
(98.5%) or hatching (98.5%) periods. By contrast, the success of eggs or young in
successful nests was greater during the incubation (91.3%) and hatching (84.3%)
periods than  the nestling period (63.8%). An estimated 1.1 young/nest survived to
21 d of age. DDE concentrations in eggs were lower in 1984 than in eggs from the
same colony in 1979-1981. DDE was higher in eggs taken from nests where none
of the remaining eggs hatched (.hivin.x = 5.9 ppm) compared to eggs taken from
nests where all the remaining eggs hatched (.hivin.x = 1.9 ppm).

Keywords: 

Rhynchops-Niger, DDE, hatching, fledging