Distance from the forest edge matters in habitat selection of the Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii

The relationships between breeding site location in forest habitat and age, behaviour and reproductive performance of Blue-footed Boobies Sula nebouxii were examined in two different plots on the northeast corner of Isla Isabel, Mexico. Birds nesting closer to the forest edge, where nest density is highest, laid their clutches earlier and fledged more chicks. In plot A, proximity to the forest edge was associated with more wakefulness and wing drooping in chicks and more interactions with other species in female breeders. In plot B, ages of breeders increased closer to the forest edge. The patterns of nest density, laying date and age distribution suggest that, on the northeast corner of Isla Isabel, the boobies prefer to nest close to the forest edge, possibly because the benefits, including easy landing and take-off, are greater than the costs associated with inclement weather, high density of conspecifics and allospecifics, and negative social interactions.