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Nest sites and habitat characteristics for Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) and White-tailed Tropicbirds (P. lepturus) at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019

Metadata Updated: July 6, 2024

During 8-11 April, 13-18 May, and 1-7 July 2019, we censused Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) and White-tailed Tropicbird (P. lepturus) nests in Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR), Kauaʻi, by searching all foot-accessible areas and by searching all cliffs and islets with spotting scopes from remote vantage points. We censused over the course of three visits to account for prolonged and asynchronous nesting. For ground searching, we used previous nest census results, recommendations from the previous Refuge biologist, and knowledge of tropicbird nesting habitat, to focus searches in areas where nesting was likely: along cliff edges and steep slopes, particularly at the base of ironwood trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) and beneath dense shrubs. Within these habitats, we searched the ground as thoroughly as vegetation and topography would permit. In areas that we did not expect to be suitable tropicbird nesting habitat (e.g. flat, open areas far from cliff edges or windward slopes), we scanned the area but did not search as thoroughly as in suspected nesting habitat. For ground-accessible nests, we assigned a nest number, recorded the GPS location, flagged the nest, and recorded nest contents and habitat type. For inaccessible nest habitat, we used a spotting scope to view remote cliffs and offshore islets for tropicbird nests. For remote sites, we identified tropicbirds to species, recorded the location using a georeferenced satellite image, collected reference photographs for subsequent checks, and recorded habitat type when possible. In May and July, we used locations of nests from previous visits (and reference photographs for remotely viewed sites) to record tropicbird presence at previously identified nest sites and also to assist with searches for newly initiated nests. In July, our last visit, we removed flags after checking previously located nests and recorded, but did not flag, newly initiated nests. On each visit, we classified nest contents and estimated chick age (if present). We also recorded three metrics of nest habitat: the landform the nest was on, the structure of the nest site (e.g., what provides some shade), and the first and second most dominant plant types.

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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Dates

Metadata Created Date June 1, 2023
Metadata Updated Date July 6, 2024

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI EDI

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date June 1, 2023
Metadata Updated Date July 6, 2024
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
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Identifier USGS:5fc010ded34e4b9faad7ef48
Data Last Modified 20201208
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Bureau Code 010:12
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Metadata Catalog ID https://datainventory.doi.gov/data.json
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
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Harvest Source Id 52bfcc16-6e15-478f-809a-b1bc76f1aeda
Harvest Source Title DOI EDI
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -159.4031,22.2214,-159.3821,22.2348
Publisher Hierarchy White House > U.S. Department of the Interior > U.S. Geological Survey
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash 75354e1a7d8593ab3a5919572dac620d1d5243d212e81c4944b54a8658f66999
Source Schema Version 1.1
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