Artificial Brood Parasite Technique for Rearing Abandoned Eggs of the Endangered Little Tern <i>Sternula albifrons</i>

The Little Tern Sternula albifrons is a ground-nesting species classified as Endangered on the Japan Ministry of the Environment's Red Data List. It may abandon its eggs owing to disturbances, a factor having a negative impact on its population trends. Successful artificial nurturing of these eggs could aid in the recovery of the species. To address this issue, I developed a ‘brood parasite' technique. The process involves taking abandoned eggs from a nest, incubating them in a facility until one day before hatching, and then covertly placing the protected eggs into other nests within the colony. By these means, foster parents and chicks can establish their post-fledging relationship. Herein, I provide an overview of this technique.