Avian Nest Box Use on Islands in the Ohio River

Abstract

Abstract Although visibility of nest boxes may be important in nest-box selection for birds, there has been little investigation of this topic. Sixteen wooden nest boxes designed for passerines were placed on each of three islands (Middle, Buckley, and Muskingum) of the Ohio River in 2000, eight on the back channel side and eight on the navigational side. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of nest-box placement and surrounding habitat characteristics on nest-box use. During the 2001 breeding season, birds used 74% of the nest boxes. Wren species had the highest use of nest boxes at 47.8%. Nests located in the least visible nest boxes were total moss nests (the combination of Parus carolinensis [Carolina Chickadee] nests and unidentified moss nests), whereas nests located in the most visible nest boxes were Troglodytes aedon (House Wren) nests and total wren nests. Nest boxes with southeastward orientations positively affected the placement of total moss nests and Carolina Chickadee...