Artificial Nest Sites Research Articles

Landscape structure and site characteristics influence whether the northern house martin Delichon urbicum occupies artificial nests.

Artificial nest sites can support populations of endangered species when they are correctly installed. Here we analysed the characteristics and conditions that determined whether the northern house martin Delichon urbicum occupied more than 300 artificial nests around the city of Münster, Germany. We found that artificial nest occupation rates were influenced by various environmental and temporal factors. Positive influences included a longer time since installation and, to a lesser extent, the number of artificial nests at the same site. Negative impacts were observed from higher proportions of sealed surface cover in the surrounding area and, to a lesser extent, southward exposure. The distance to the nearest water body and the number of occupied natural nests showed no significant effect. We compared our results with descriptive evidence from the grey literature and published reports, and we give recommendations for installing artificial house martin nests for conservation practitioners. Future studies should also investigate the potential negative effects of 'dirt boards' below the nests and of gaps between the roof and the artificial nests.

Slit in a Nest Site Influences the Nest Site Selection in Cavity Nesting Ant Colonies.

For ants, nests provide a refuge against predators and protection from environmental factors. Thus, choosing a good nest site is important for an ant colony, but nest sites are limited resources. Ants of the genus Temnothorax inhabit small cavities in, e.g., acorns, twigs and under rocks. Earlier, it was shown that the ants are able to choose a superior site. In this study, using binary choice tests, we studied the nest site selection by Temnothorax crassispinus ant colonies that typically inhabit empty acorns. For this purpose, we used artificial nest sites without and with an additional slit in the nest wall, mimicking the cracks in potential nest sites under natural conditions. We found that the ant colonies preferred artificial nest sites without these slits. However, no difference in the number of colonies inhabited nest sites with a slit vs. those without a slit was found when the slits were closed using transparent food foil, which prevented the air flow while keeping an inflow of light. What is more, additional light through the hole in the red filter covering the artificial nest sites had no influence on the nest site selection. The results of this study suggest that the air flow through a slit in the nest site wall, rather than additional light, influences the nest site selection. The absence of cracks, e.g., in acorns, could be an indication of the durability of potential nest sites. Thus, choosing a cavity without such damage could be beneficial for the ant colonies.

Factors influencing the occurrence of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Passeriformes: Passeridae) in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India

The present study aims to understand key factors influencing the House Sparrow population across different habitat scales in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. Correspondingly, different variables such as changes in habitat composition, sound levels, and density of mobile phone base stations were considered with reference to the occurrence of the House Sparrows across the study area. During the study period (December 2016 to November 2018), the number of House Sparrows was recorded through point count without distance estimate method. Non-parametric tests were employed to assess variations in different variables and their correlation with the presence of House Sparrows, revealing that changes in local habitat composition significantly influence their occurrence. Shrubby vegetation, cowsheds, and old/traditional structures emerged as crucial predictors positively impacting House Sparrow’s presence, particularly in urban areas where suitable habitat patches are scarce due to urbanization and modern lifestyles. The decline in these habitats has significantly impacted House Sparrow populations. To counter this decline, implementing strategies like providing artificial nest sites is being considered. However, it’s crucial to ensure that there are adequate shelter and food resources available to effectively conserve the species.

The road to recovery: conservation management for the Critically Endangered Bali myna shows signs of success

AbstractThe Bali myna Leucopsar rothschildi has long suffered heavy trapping, leading to its near extinction in the wild and categorization as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Decades of conservation breeding, release of birds and post-release management at Bali Barat National Park have, until recently, failed to secure a viable wild population. However, over the past decade, population increases, expansion into new areas of the National Park and beyond, and successful breeding in both artificial and natural nest sites have occurred. These recent successes are associated with a change in approach by the National Park authority from concentrating efforts on the last refugium of the species (an area protected from trapping but with potentially suboptimal habitat) and towards the human-dominated landscapes around the main road through the National Park. Bali mynas tended to favour areas with extensive shorter grass cover and open canopies and to shun denser woodland. Anthropogenic landscapes such as farmland and plantations presumably mimic the original savannah habitat of the species, but nestbox provision has probably been crucial in these areas in the absence of natural cavities. A potential further factor in the increases in myna numbers and range has been a scheme involving local people in commercial breeding of the species, thereby reducing its market price, and working with communities to reduce trapping pressure. We encourage continuing operation of this management strategy inside the National Park and its further extension into adjacent tourist areas, which appear to have myna-friendly socio-ecological conditions.

Blue orchard bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) origin and orchard growing region affect female retention at artificial nest sites in cherry orchards.

The blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), is a solitary, cavity-nesting species used for pollinating spring blooming crops. Commercial stocks are sourced from a few locations in the western United States but are sold across the country. However, the existence of local adaptations of these bees is unknown, such as the propensity to nest in nearby provided materials or to disperse broadly beyond release sites. In spring 2019, California- and Utah-sourced blue orchard bees were introduced into cherry orchards in both source and reciprocal states. Nest boxes were placed near (within 78 m) and far (500 m-1 km) from central bee release points. Paint-marked bees were released when floral resources were available. Observations of marked bees at nest boxes were used to evaluate female retention and dispersal pattern. Nesting bee counts in March-blooming California orchards revealed a significant difference in female retention by population source; over twice as many UT bees established nests than did CA bees. Few females were found at far nest sites. In May-blooming Utah orchards, counts of CA and UT bees were similar at near and far nest sites; neither female retention nor dispersal was significantly affected by bee origin. It is concerning that CA females were less likely to be retained in California orchards because the demand for commercial pollination is high for early-blooming California almond and cherry. Our results highlight the need to understand potential consequences of bee origin and their management on pollinator performance and reproduction in target crops.

Uninvited Guests: Identifying Parasites and Other Nest Associates of Solitary Bees and Wasps Using Artificial Nest Sites in North Central Florida

Uninvited Guests: Identifying Parasites and Other Nest Associates of Solitary Bees and Wasps Using Artificial Nest Sites in North Central Florida

The Importance of Nest Box Placement for Barn Owls (Tyto alba).

Simple SummaryNest sites for cavity-breeding birds are limited in many habitats such as in agriculture. Nest boxes are artificial nest sites that are added to provide birds a place to breed in areas where natural nest sites are lacking. For example, nest boxes are used to increase barn owl numbers in agricultural areas to reduce rodent damage in farmlands. Although nest boxes are added in different locations such as on poles and trees and in sunlight/shade, it is still unknown which location is better. Here, we compared the occupation of nest boxes by barn owls on trees, nest boxes on poles in the shade, and on poles in the sun. We found that more nest boxes were occupied when they were located on trees, followed by nest boxes on poles in the shade and nest boxes on poles in the sun. The number of nestlings raised in the nest boxes varied seasonally, with more being fledged early in the season in nest boxes located on poles in the sun whereas more nestlings were fledged later in the season in nest boxes located on trees. The seasonal difference is most likely due to the lower internal temperatures in nest boxes located on trees than in nest boxes on poles in the sun. Depending on the climate, it is important to consider variation in temperatures when adding nest boxes.Nest boxes have been used for years to increase breeding bird numbers for conservation and also in biological pest control projects. Barn owls (Tyto alba) have been used as biological pest control agents for rodents for years, and since nest boxes are costly for growers there is a need to determine whether nest box placement can increase the occupation of nest boxes and breeding success. We studied whether barn owl breeding in agricultural areas varied in nest boxes located on trees, poles located in the shade, and poles in the sun. The occupation of nest boxes was highest in nest boxes located on trees, followed by poles in the shade, and finally poles in the sun. In comparison, the number of fledglings was highest for nest boxes on poles in the sun followed by poles in the shade in the first half of the breeding season, whereas more nestlings were fledged in nest boxes on trees in the second part of the breeding season, which is most likely due to the higher internal temperatures in the nest boxes located in the sun. Interestingly, all the nest boxes’ internal temperatures were lower than the ambient temperatures but were much lower on trees than those on poles, most likely due to the trees providing better protection from the heat. It is therefore important to not only consider the placement of nest boxes, but how occupation and breeding success may vary seasonally.

Will Brazilian City Dwellers Actively Engage in Urban Conservation? A Case Study with the Charismatic Neotropical Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

The Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) is a charismatic and easily recognized species. While they are classified as being of “least concern” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, their populations are declining. In Brazil, the accelerated destruction of one of its key habitats, the Cerrado biome, is a principal cause of their decreasing abundance. As with other species affected by loss of the Cerrado, active conservation measures are required. While usually rare in urban ecosystems, Ara ararauna occurs and breeds in small numbers in the city of Rondonópolis, a medium-sized city located in Mato Grosso, Central-West Region of Brazil. Blue-and-yellow macaw pairs nest in the tops of dead palm trees, but as the macaws are nest-site limited and suitable dead trees are scarce in urban areas, the installation of artificial nest sites in domestic backyards could help that urban population to thrive. To investigate whether local people would be willing to engage with conservation efforts and in particular to support macaw conservation, we surveyed the attitudes of Rondonópolis residents to measure: (1) citizens’ preferences among the bird species that occur in the city; (2) the average area of their yards, and (3) the willingness of residents to: (a) plant fruit trees to attract macaws to their yards and (b) to install artificial nests in their yards. Larger and more colorful birds (Ara ararauna, the Red-and-green macaw Ara chloropterus and Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco) were the bird species most valued across all socio-economic groups, suggesting that the charismatic species would be more likely to be supported by urbanites. Overall, people had good biodiversity knowledge, with respondents being able to identify half of our sample of local bird species, on average, and almost half had seen a nest site. The great majority were willing to plant fruit trees (78%) and provide nest sites (70%) for macaws. This willingness to engage was not affected by socioeconomic differences. These data indicate that a municipal macaw conservation program could be successful in Rondonópolis, and we argue that macaws could be a flagship species which would benefit wider efforts to engage Brazilian urbanites in active engagement with nature.

Importance of Mesohabitat for Nest-Site Selection in Breeding Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo): A Multi-Scale Model

Apex predators make excellent bioindicators of habitat quality and anthropogenic changes. Eagle owls (Bubo bubo) are such apex and keystone predators, who show preferential nest-site selection, usually away from human activities and habitation. However, Israel is a small country with a burgeoning human population. Hence, in order to understand the habitat requirements of eagle owls in central Israel, we conducted a multi-scale model analysis on their existing nest sites between 2006 and 2010. We identified 203 successful breeding attempts at 73 different sites. Our data suggested that the breeding population of the eagle owls was limited by the availability of quality nest locations, i.e., quarries, and caves. The probability of an eagle pair breeding increased with the presence of both quarries and caves, but was not related to mesohabitat properties. In addition, eagle owl breeding densities were positively related to the number of nest localities and to the planted woodlands. Furthermore, we found that eagle owls successfully raised their young regardless of the surrounding mesohabitat and sought the presence of other potential nest sites in the vicinity of the active nest sites, most likely due to the owls’ opportunistic and generalist hunting behavior, which facilitated the consumption of a wide prey base. Appropriate nest sites (quarries and caves) appeared to increase population numbers and, therefore, should be protected Further studies should determine whether increasing artificial nest sites and reclaiming abandoned quarries could increase eagle owl numbers in a sustainable manner.

Productivity constraints on Citron-crested Cockatoos in a rich community of large hole-nesting birds

Knowledge of breeding success and its limiting factors is crucial in assessing species’ conservation needs. As cavity-nesters, parrots are particularly influenced by the availability of suitable cavities and low breeding output, whether due to natural processes or trapping. On the island of Sumba, Indonesia, the Critically Endangered Citron-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua citrinocristata) has the added problem of co-existing with an unusually rich hole-nesting bird community in a forested environment much constrained by habitat loss. We monitored 95 nesting cavities of cockatoos and their competitors and potential nest-predators, over one to four breeding seasons, using a combination of camera-traps, direct checks on nest contents, and observations from the ground. Competition for suitable cavities was intense among three large parrot species, two owls and a hornbill. Visitation rates by potential competitors were higher at unoccupied cavities than at those containing active nests, reflecting the guarding behaviour of the occupants. The Endangered Sumba Hornbill (Rhyticeros everetti) dominated observed direct confrontations and was the most frequent visitor to active parrot nests, suggesting a further role as a potential nest-predator. Cockatoos prospected many cavities but rarely then attempted to nest: instead the sites were usually occupied by other cavity-nesters, or by bees. At the few cavities where cockatoos did breed, predation pressure was likely low, and observed success rate high (10 successful of 15 nests), although the low number of nests found early in the breeding cycle suggests that some may have failed before detection. Intense competition for cavities suggests a shortage of suitable nest-sites, the need for preservation of old hole-bearing trees and a role for nestboxes. Accessible, known, safe artificial nest-sites would also provide opportunities to assess the scale of nest-site shortage, allow camera placements to study productivity, exclude some competitors and predators, and prevent illegal trapping. Especially given continued trapping pressure, the species would benefit from targeted local awareness-raising and law enforcement, with the whole endeavour backed up by longer-term forest restoration.

Roosting patterns of House Sparrow Passer domesticus Linn., 1758 (Aves: Passeridae) in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India

The House Sparrow Passer domesticus is widely distributed across the world, and local alarming declines in sparrow populations have prompted studies focused on this species. An understanding of fundamental life history aspects such as roosting patterns is necessary for the development of efficient conservation strategies. This study examined House Sparrow roosting patterns in urban, suburban and rural areas of Bhavnagar during 2017–2018. Potential roosting sites were identified, and peak arrival/ departure times and roosting duration of sparrows were recorded. We found that peak arrival and departure times were correlated with solar timings, indicating a strong influence of photoperiod on sparrow behaviour. Little variation was observed in sparrow arrival and departure times across the urban, suburban and rural gradient. However, arrival duration was significantly larger in urban and suburban areas. This may be due to the restricted availability of suitable patches within these habitats, requiring birds to spend more time foraging. House Sparrows mostly preferred thick vegetation for pre-roosting activities and roosting, and the loss of thick vegetation poses a threat to sparrow populations worldwide. In addition to increasing nesting opportunities by providing artificial nest sites, the importance of retaining appropriate habitats should be a major focus of conservation strategies.

Utilization of modified and artificial nests by endemic and introduced parrots on Norfolk Island

Animals that breed in cavities formed through decay or mechanical damage often face limitations to reproduction due to a shortage of nest sites. Artificial nests are commonly deployed to increase the short‐term availability of breeding sites for these species. Often this is an effective approach; however, artificial nests are costly and may be ignored by the target species or inadvertently benefit nontarget species. Here we consider the use of modified natural hollows and artificial nest sites to support endangered Norfolk Island green parrots Cyanoramphus cookii. We recorded the characteristics of all modified and artificial nests in the Norfolk Island National Park and used 8 years of nesting data to study nest selection by green parrots and introduced crimson rosellas Platycercus elegans. Artificial nests (those lacking a natural base) were never used by green parrots. Nests with thicker walls were more likely to be used by green parrots, but there was no nest site characteristic that predicted frequency of use. Crimson rosella nest use was not predicted by any of the nest characteristics measured. A better understanding of the reasons behind green parrots' avoidance of artificial nests and preference for thicker nest walls is required to inform the future design and management of nest sites. Our study shows that evaluation of how artificial sites are used by the target species is important to maximize the efficacy of conservation efforts.

Nest Architecture of an Endangered Hawaiian Yellow-Faced Bee, Hylaeus anthracinus (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) and Potential Nest-Site Competition from Three Introduced Solitary Bees1

Hylaeus anthracinus is an endemic Hawaiian yellow-faced bee (Colletidae) that is federally protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. On O‘ahu, H. anthracinus populations are restricted to a few isolated areas of intact coastal strand habitat. A detailed understanding of H. anthracinus nesting ecology is required to protect and expand the remaining fragmented and isolated populations. Here, we explore how nest parameters such as tunnel inside diameter, cell length, cell partition material, and plant species utilization compare among H. anthracinus and three non-native coastal bee species. Solitary bee nests from coastal habitats on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i were dissected and nest parameters were measured, compared, and described. We found overlap in most nest parameters among H. anthracinus and the introduced species: Hylaeus strenuus, Ceratina smaragdula, and Ceratina dentipes. No significant differences for inside diameter of nest entrance, length of tunnel nest, or # of cells/nest were found among the four bee species that were utilizing cavity nests. Thus, competition for nesting resources could be occurring. This increased understanding of H. anthracinus nest ecology will inform future conservation actions that could include the development of captive rearing programs, translocations, use of artificial nest sites, and the enhancement of natural habitat to increase nesting resources to support the existing populations.

Phenology and breeding ecology of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) in Bermuda: An ecologically distinctive island population, now critically endangered

Breeding Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) have been studied extensively in North America and Europe, but little is known of the small, isolated populations south of the main continental ranges. We conducted a 69 year study of Common Terns in the Bermuda archipelago (in the western North Atlantic Ocean at ∼32°N) to document their phenology, distribution, numbers, and breeding biology. Common Terns arrive at Bermuda in March and start to nest about 10 April, 2–3 weeks earlier than any other population of the species studied to date. Unlike the colonially nesting mainland populations, Bermudian Common Terns nest singly or in very small groups on many small islets and artificial nest sites (n = 50 sites) scattered throughout the archipelago. The population included 15–36 pairs in the 1970s and 1980s, but declined by about 50% following each of 3 major hurricanes in 1987, 2003, and 2010, and is now critically endangered. Since the 2003 hurricane, the population has included many (up to 7) female–female pairs laying infertile eggs. In contrast, the mean clutch size of male–female pairs was 3.01, with mean productivity >2.2 fledglings/pair over the 69 year period, the highest values reported for the species anywhere in its range; in at least 10 cases, pairs raised 4 chicks to fledging. The Bermudian population of Common Terns is intensively managed but remains critically endangered, and its recent shift to nesting on small rafts and buoys about 3 m in diameter poses new challenges for management.

The Role of Cognition in Social Information Use for Breeding Site Selection: Experimental Evidence in a Wild Passerine Population

In spatio-temporally variable environments, individuals are known to use information for making optimal decisions regarding where and when to breed. Optimal decision making can be complex when relying on multiple information sources with varying levels of reliability and accessibility. To deal with such complexity, different cognitive abilities such as learning and memory might enable individuals to optimally process and use these information sources. Yet, the link between information use and cognitive ability remains unexplored in natural populations. We investigated whether learning performance on a problem-solving task was related to the use of an experimentally manipulated source of social information for nest site selection in wild collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis). Collared flycatchers are known to use heterospecific information from their main competitors, the great tits (Parus major). Here, we created a local apparent preference by tits for an artificial nest site feature (a geometric symbol attached to nest boxes occupied by tits) and recorded whether flycatcher pairs chose to settle in nest boxes displaying the same feature as tits (i.e., copied tit apparent preference). Using a problem-solving task requiring opening a door temporarily blocking the nest box entrance, we then measured flycatchers' learning performance during nestling rearing as the number of entrances required to solve the task and enter the nest box twice in a row below a given efficiency threshold. We found that the probability to copy tit preference decreased with decreasing learning performance in females, particularly yearling ones: fast learning females copied tit preference, while slow learning ones rejected it. Male learning performance did not affect copying behavior. Our results showed that learning performance might play an important role in the ability to optimally use information for nest site selection in females: both fast and slow learning females could process this heterospecific information source but used it differently. This could partly explain the link between cognitive abilities and reproductive success reported in previous studies. Whether cognitive abilities may modulate condition-dependent costs of using different information remains to be explored.

Odorous House Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Colony Movement in Response to Moisture, Shade, and Food Proximity.

Tapinoma sessile (Say) is a common ant throughout the United States that frequently relocates portions of its nests to form large polydomous colonies in urban areas. Despite widespread research on the control of T. sessile as a nuisance pest, relatively little work has focused on the biology of its nesting behavior and movement. We evaluated shade, moisture, and proximity to food as factors triggering colony movement in laboratory assays. Initially, T. sessile colonies moved to shaded artificial nest sites irrespective of arena moisture. Then, workers and brood were increasingly moved to moist artificial nest sites over time. Colonies moved workers and brood to near-food artificial nest sites over both 1 m and 6 m distances. Queens relocated to near-food nest sites over 1 m distances, but not 6 m distances, during the 49-d study. Results suggest that an increase either in moisture or food in proximity to a residence is likely to account for observed increases in T. sessile abundance near structures.

Long-term persistence of conservation-reliant species: Challenges and opportunities

“Conservation-reliant species” – those fully dependent on continued management actions – are booming and, with limited conservation budgets, securing funds to sustain their long-term viability is becoming overwhelming. This study assesses the degree of dependence on conservation actions of two obligatory cavity-nesters, the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni and the European Roller Coracias garrulus, whose populations in Europe were recently recovered through artificial nest-site provisioning. Using long-term monitoring data and population surveys conducted in their main Portuguese stronghold, we examined temporal changes in the availability and use of semi-natural (cavities in rural abandoned buildings) and artificial nest-sites. We further assessed the financial costs of nest-site provisioning and evaluated the potential use of tourism revenues as a conservation funding source. Following the implementation of conservation projects, the Lesser Kestrel and Roller populations have been increasing but >65% of all breeding pairs currently nest in artificial nest-sites. Semi-natural nest-sites remain suitable for approximately 30 years and are expected to disappear by the end of this century. Lesser Kestrels and Rollers will thus become fully dependent on artificial nest-sites and sustaining their current population sizes is estimated to cost 4500€ per year. This represents <1% of the region's lodging income, largely supported by nature-based tourism. Our findings suggest that reactive conservation measures can be very effective at recovering endangered populations but can make them fully reliant on the perpetuation of those measures. This demands long-term funding, which can be alleviated by tourism revenues in areas with high nature capital values.

Determination of nest occupation and breeding effect of the white stork by human-mediated landscape in Western Poland

Choosing an appropriate nest site is essential for successful breeding. Changes in land use cause populations of many species to decline although some species adapt to anthropogenic changes. The white stork Ciconia ciconia commonly uses artificial nest sites. Recently, white storks from Western Europe have been using landfills as feeding sites; the beginnings of this process are being observed in Central-Eastern Europe. The study aimed to determine factors influencing the probability of nest occupation and breeding effect in a Central-Eastern European population of white storks. We used long-term data from Western Poland on breeding effect, nest occupation, the structure supporting the nest, the proximity of the nearest landfills, landfill area, and land cover. The probability of nest occupation was significantly dependent on habitat quality (based on the share of the preferred type of land cover), the structure supporting the nest, and landfill proximity within a specific year. The breeding effect was influenced by habitat quality and nesting structure. We demonstrate that the type of nesting structure is an important factor influencing both the probability of nest reoccupation and breeding effect. However, the significance of landfills appears to be growing, and in recent years, storks prefer occupying nests closer to landfills, which may have significant consequences for the population of the white stork.

Nesting Biology of the Scaly-Sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus, Mergini, Anatidae) in Primorye, Russia

The nesting biology of the scaly-sided merganser (Mergus squamatus) was investigated over 17 years (2001–2017) in both artificial and natural nest sites in Primorye. Artificial nest sites were provided along fifteen rivers. A total of 205 nests were recorded: 190 nests in artificial sites and 15 in natural cavities. The occupation rate of nest boxes (27.8%) was significantly higher than that of nest tubes (20.2%). The clutch size averaged 11.08 ± 0.05 (N = 145) eggs. Inter- and intraspecific nest parasitism was described, and the effect of parasitism on nest success was evaluated. Clutch onset (average in terms, i.e., median clutch) during the study period was revealed to be more advanced compared with the initial years. Apparent nest success (70.4 ± 4.0%) was independent of the cavity type, with no significant difference noted between artificial and natural sites. The artificial nest program is an effective way to increase the productivity of this endangered bird species. A total of 1334 ducklings reliably hatched in artificial nest sites during 2002–2017.

Ecosystem services and disservices by birds, bats and monkeys change with macadamia landscape heterogeneity

AbstractThe relative importance of ecosystem services and disservices can change with landscape structure in a poorly understood way.We compare the impact of biocontrol, provided by bats and birds, with that of crop raiding by vervet monkeys on yield in South African macadamia orchards. Insectivorous bats and birds are known to feed on macadamia pest insect species, like the macadamia nut borer or the green vegetable bug. Vervet monkeys move into the orchards during the day to feed on premature macadamia nuts. Bats, birds and monkeys benefit from patches of natural vegetation adjacent to orchards.With exclusion experiments (four treatments: day, night, day and night, control) we quantified the relative importance of biocontrol and crop raiding on yield, comparing two different landscape settings of the orchards, a natural and a human‐modified.Crop raiding occurred only close to natural vegetation and caused yield losses of about 26%. Biocontrol by bats and birds was higher near natural vegetation, but still significant in human‐modified landscapes, at up to 530 m distance to forest patches. Prevented biocontrol through the exclusion of bats and birds resulted in yield losses of up to 60%.Effects of biocontrol by bats and birds (USD ~5,000 ha/year) were economically more important than the losses of crop raiding (USD ~1,600 ha/year). As both are linked to the vicinity of forest patches, the removal of natural vegetation to limit monkey abundances would also limit biocontrol service provision.Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the high economic benefits of biocontrol by bats and birds, which outweighed negative impacts through yield losses caused by crop raiding monkeys. Management practices to prevent crop damage, such as guarding, excluding vertebrates or removal of adjacent natural vegetation, would also limit access for bats and birds and the great economic benefits provided by their biocontrol. Ecosystem services by bats and birds can be promoted by the exposure of artificial roost and nest sites, but research into species‐specific preferences is needed. The education of farmers is crucial, as many are unaware of the benefits from birds and bats and the fact that these benefits can outweigh the disadvantages of the monkeys’ crop raiding.