Abstract
Nest-site selection of Merlins (Falco columbarius) was studied for 3 years in southeastern Montana where Merlins utilized Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica) nests in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) trees. Twenty-seven habitat variables were sampled at utilized and adjacent nonutilized nest sites. Logistic regression identified five variables useful in distinguishing utilized nest sites from nonutilized sites: maximum height of trees at the nest site, total basal area of the nest site, diameter at breast height of the nest tree, and slope and elevation at the nest site. The resulting equation correctly classified 95% of the utilized nests and 90% of the nonutilized nest sites. Merlins tended to select sites that combined easy access with maximum concealment of the nest contents.
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