Annual variation in survival and breeding probability in Greater Flamingos

Annual local survival of adult Greater Flamingos, Phoenicopterus ruber roseus, breeding at their natal colony in the Camargue (southern France), was studied using ringed birds observed at the colony from 1983 to 1991. Survival and probability of resighting were estimated separately, using capture-recapture models. Because all the birds we observed were nesting, differences in probability of resighting reflect differences in probability of breeding. Winter severity significantly affected survival. Annual local survival was 93% during normal years, but in 1984-1985, following a severe cold spell, survival fell to 76%. Sex and age (range 4 to 14 yr old) had no significant effect on survival. Resighting rates varied between 11% and 88% during the study period. There were significant additive effects of year, sex, and age on resighting rates. The probability of resighting increased with age in both males and females, reflecting the progressive access to regular reproductive status in this population. However, males had a higher probability of being resighted than females, probably due to their higher rates of mate switching and renesting following breeding failure.