Social facilitation for conservation planning: understanding fairy tern behavior and site selection in response to conspecific audio-visual cues

Simulated social facilitation techniques (e.g. decoys and call playbacks) are commonly used to attract seabirds restored artificially created nesting habitats. However, a lack of stimuli conspecific cueing at these habitats may limit the use sites, least in short term. Therefore, testing effectiveness simulated audio-visual cues for attracting gregarious birds is important conservation planning. In this study, we (1) assessed whether playback were associated with an increased likelihood Australian fairy terns Sternula nereis visiting potentially suitable habitats; (2) tested their behavioral response different cues; (3) documented had potential encourage colony establishment. A full cross-over study design consisting all possible pairings decoy treatments (control [no attractants], decoys, playback, both playback), allocated as part random block design, was undertaken 2 sites. Linear modeling suggested that explaining time spent aerial prospecting well maximum number prospecting, although only appeared be case 1 Decoys, on other hand, did not appear have any effect prospecting. The results from suggest audio site selection by increasing stimuli, but attractants required over several breeding seasons before colonies established.