Sexual Size Dimorphism and Parental Care Patterns in a Monomorphic and a Dimorphic Larid

I examined parental care patterns of the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and the Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) to determine correlates of sexual size dimorphism and parental care. In both species, the sexes had quantitatively different parental roles, particularly during the chick-feeding period. Females were generally more involved in parental activities at the nest site than males. Caspian Tern males provided greater numbers and total mass of …