Intraclutch egg-weight apportionment and chick survival in Caspian terns

Egg-weight apportionment patterns and chick survival were investigated in two-egg clutches of Caspian terns(Sterna caspia) in the Great Lakes. First-laid eggs (A eggs) were typically heavier than second-laid eggs (B eggs) and hatched an average of 1.8 days earlier. The A-egg fraction of total clutch weight increased with total clutch weight. Increased egg weight did not increase the probability of hatching, but did increase the fledging success …