Ecology of Onychoprion lunatus
 
Main Ref. SAUP Database, 2006
Remarks Found along the coast and continental shelf (Ref. 356). Exclusively marine. Breeds singly or in loose colonies, typically along cliffs (Ref. 91362). Breeding colonies may be found on tropical islands, along beaches and low sea cliffs. Heavily preyed on by rats (Ref. 84934). Exhibits dipping behavior (Ref. 356). Feeds mainly by plunge diving or by dipping the surface while hovering. Diet primarily consists of fish, especially five-horned cowfish, juvenile flyingfish, goatfish, herring, and dolphinfish, but also eats squid, crustaceans, mollusks and insects (marine and terrestrial) (Ref. 122680).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Onychoprion lunatus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref. Harrison, P., 1987
Associations colony-forming/symphorism;
Associated with
Association remarks May form loose breeding colonies.
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 4.14 0.43 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
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