Mate changes of Oystercatchers were followed over a 15‐year period. In 8.0% of instances, the pair split up between breeding seasons even when both members bred the second season. The likelihood of divorce was highest for birds aged five years, the modal age of first breeding. After divorce birds did not select an older or younger mate when re‐pairing. Low hatching success increased the chances of divorce. Divorce was not followed by significant changes in clutch‐size, laying date or nesting success (although females tended to be more successful).
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Harris et al. (1987) studied this question.
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