The Using Rate of Breeding Birds by Artificial Nest Boxes Type at Orchard Area

Abstract

We installed two types of artificial nest boxes, made by wood chip mixed with cement (A-type) and recycled styrofoam (B-type) at the orchard areas (Apple Research Institute) in Sobo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Gyungbuk Province in march 2003. And then, the breeding birds using the nest boxes were recorded during the breeding season of 2003 and 2004 for finding the effectiveness of two different nest boxes. A total bred birds were five species, Great Tit (Parus major), Coal Tit (Parus ater), Varied Tit (Parus varius), Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) and Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia). Sixteen pairs Great tits were bred in the nest boxes, so this species was the most dominant breeder and followed by Coal Tit three pairs, Varied Tit three pairs, Tree Sparrow two pairs and Yellow-rumped Flycatcher two pairs. The using rate of nest boxes was 28.2% (11 out of 39) and 38.5% (15 out of 39) in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Thus, the using rate was increased in 2004. Birds were using only A-type nest boxes, so the using rate of A-type was 68.0% (17 out of 25) while none of bird used B-type (0 out of 14). From this result, the breeding bird showed preference for better nest boxes (A-type) when there were abundant breeding sites.