Reproductive Biology of the Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) in Northwestern Oregon

Abstract

Abstract Chestnut-backed Chickadees were studied over a 4-y period near Portland, Oregon, and for 1 of those years near Eugene, Oregon. Data on nesting activities and nestling growth rates were obtained by monitoring nest boxes. The chickadees began nest-building activity in March, with the 1st eggs being laid in early April and nests continuing to be initiated through early July. The timing of nest initiation was bimodal with the 1st peak in late April and a 2nd, smaller peak in June, referred to as “late nests”. Late nests accounted for 14 of the 94 nests observed. Clutch size for early nests varied from 5 to 10 eggs, with 7- and 8-egg clutches occurring at nearly equal frequency and representing 67.9%. Fledge success was greatest for 9-egg clutches and lowest for the smallest (6 or fewer) and largest (10) clutch sizes. Incubation averaged 13.8 d. The nestling growth phase averaged 18.8 d. Nestling body mass at age 14 d (the growth asymptote) was not correlated with clutch size or 14-d brood size. Late ...