Abstract
Predation is one of the main factors explaining nesting mortality in most bird species. Birds can avoid nest predation or reduce predation pressure by breeding at higher latitude, showing anti-predator behaviour, selecting nest sites protected from predators, and nesting in association with protective species. American Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis dominica) defend their territory by using various warning and distraction behaviours displayed at varying levels of intensity (hereafter “conspicuous behaviour”), as well as more aggressive behaviours such as aerial attacks, but only in some populations. Such antipredator behaviour has the potential to repel predators and thus benefit the neighbouring nests by decreasing their predation risk. Yet, conspicuous behaviour could also attract predators by signalling the presence of a nest. To test for the existence of a protective effect associated with the conspicuous antipredator behaviour of American Golden-Plovers, we studied the influence of proximity to plover nests on predation risk of artificial nests on Igloolik Island (Nunavut, Canada) in July 2014. We predicted that the predation risk of artificial nests would decrease with proximity to and density of plover nests. We monitored 18 plover nests and set 35 artificial nests at 30, 50, 100, 200, and 500 m from seven of those plover nests. We found that the predation risk of artificial nests increases with the density of active plover nests. We also found a significant negative effect of the distance to the nearest active protector nest on predation risk of artificial nests. Understanding how the composition and structure of shorebird communities generate spatial patterns in predation risks represents a key step to better understand the importance of these species of conservation concern in tundra food webs.
Highlights
Predation is one of the main factors explaining nesting mortality in most bird species
We modeled the variations in predation risk on artificial nests using mixedeffect Cox proportional hazard regression models including the following predictor variables: distance to the associated plover nest, distance to the closest active plover nest, density of active plover nests within a radius of 270 m around the artificial nest, habitat type, and vertical concealment
The model that best explained variation in predation risk on artificial nests included the density of active plover nests within a radius of 270 m around the artificial nest
Summary
Predation is one of the main factors explaining nesting mortality in most bird species. Birds can avoid nest predation or reduce predation pressure by breeding at higher latitude, showing antipredator behaviour, and nesting in association with protective species. Plovers actively defend their territory by displaying early warning and aggressive/mobbing behaviour, potentially benefiting the neighbouring nests by decreasing their predation risk. We showed that predation risk of artificial nests increases with the density of active plover nests. Birds can avoid nest predation or reduce predation pressure by breeding at higher latitude (McKinnon et al 2010a), showing anti-predator behaviour Such behaviours could decrease predation risks for other species nesting nearby, as shown in another arctic-nesting plover species actively defending its nest, the grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola; Larsen and Grundetjern 1997). Nests of arctic-breeding birds are mainly predated by arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and avian predators such as Common Raven (Corvus corax), Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus), and Long-Tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)
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