Use Of Nest Boxes Research Articles

Effect of nestbox type on the breeding performance of two secondary hole-nesting passerines

The use of nestboxes to study secondary cavity nesting avian species has greatly improved the knowledge related to many fields of environmental sciences. The aim of this study has been to compare the breeding performance of Great Tits (Parus major) and Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in two types of nestboxes that differ with regard to their shape and thermal properties. Both nestbox types were placed in the same area to avoid confounding factors. There were significant differences between the extreme values of temperature and relative humidity obtained for the two nestbox types, and this was also the case in their daily patterns. Secondary hole-nesting birds appear to prefer breeding in woodcrete nestboxes. Nest predation was, however, significantly greater in woodcrete nestboxes. The nest height was significantly higher in woodcrete nestboxes, as was the danger distance between the nest cup and the entrance hole, which could account for the fact that Great Tits prefer this type of nestbox. The laying date was earlier in woodcrete boxes, but nestbox type did not influence clutch size. However, the eggs of both species were significantly smaller in woodcrete boxes. Breeding success was worse in woodcrete nestboxes. Nestbox type also affected the incubation pattern in both species, and attentiveness was significantly diminished in woodcrete nestboxes. This study reinforces the idea that the type of nestbox used in avian studies is not a trivial issue and may have strong biological effects on avian populations. It is important to take this into account when nestboxes are used as management measures for bird conservation.

Low Occupancy Rates of Artificial Nest Cavities by European Starlings

European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are known for their generalist ecological requirements and compete for available cavity nest sites with native species. Our purpose was to revisit recent findings with regard to Starling selection of artificial nest structures. In previous studies involving Starling use of wooden nest boxes in northern Ohio, USA, Starling occupancy across sites ranged from 67% to 100%; use by native species was minimal. In this study, we made available 25 wooden boxes and 25 PVC nest tubes for Starling nesting, but we were forced to forego planned treatments because of low Starling occupancy rates. We found a maximum occupancy rate of 40% for Starlings, whereas Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) had a combined minimal occupancy rate of 52%. We speculate that an increase in availability of dead ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) due to damage by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), as well as a potential increase in natural cavities due to an increasing Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) population might explain our findings. With potentially fewer Starlings selecting artificial structures native species might now exploit these artificial nest sites.

Systematic review of the effect of perch height on keel bone fractures, deformation and injuries, bone strength, foot lesions and perching behavior

This report provides a summary of four systematic reviews on the impact of perch height on laying hen keel bone fractures, deformation and injuries, bone strength, foot lesions and perching behavior. After conducting a scoping review and identifying outcomes of interest, the review protocols were developed. An extensive literature search was conducted in information sources such as CABI, PUBMED and relevant conference proceedings. 1518 abstracts were assessed for relevance and 9 studies reported perch use and 1 reported keel injuries. No studies reported summary effect sizes; therefore it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. In lieu of a formal meta-analysis, a descriptive analysis was conducted, which plotted reported perch height against metrics of perch use. This descriptive analysis was not able to account for lack of independence, differences in sample size and other importance sources of heterogeneity such as cage height. The descriptive analysis suggested a positive association with metrics that measured perch use and height, i.e., increased usage was associated with increased height. © European Food Safety Authority, 2015

Production performance, use of nest box, and external appearance of two strains of laying hens kept in conventional and enriched cages

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in production performance, use of nest box, and external appearance of 2 strains of laying hens kept in conventional and enriched cages. Lohmann Brown Classic (LB, n = 532) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW, n = 532) hens were housed from 16 to 73 wk in either conventional cages or enriched cages. Enriched cages had a nesting area, scratch pad, perch, and nail shortener. Body weight (BW), hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), cracked and dirty eggs, use of nest box for lay, and external appearance were determined. Laying period influenced the hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Cage type affected the hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio, while strain affected the egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Laying period × cage type and laying period × strain interactions affected egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. Both strains preferred to lay in the nest box. Percentages of cracked and dirty eggs of LW hens in enriched cages were higher than that in conventional cages. Most of the dirty eggs laid by both strains were found outside of the nest box. The LW hens laid more dirty eggs than the LB hens. Cage type and cage type × strain interaction were important for total feather score. Final claw length was affected by cage type, strain, and cage type × strain interaction. This study suggests that cage type, strain, and also cage type × strain and period × strain interactions should be considered when alternative housing systems are used.

A push-pull integrated pest management scheme for preventing use of parrot nest boxes by invasive Africanized honey bees

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Habitat selection taking nest-box age into account: a field experiment in secondary hole-nesting birds

The widespread use of nest-boxes significantly improved our understanding of the ecology and behaviour of secondary cavity-nesting birds. Although former investigations showed that nest-box characteristics (e.g. physical dimensions, material) may determine where birds will roost or breed, biological consequences of the age of nest-boxes have been rarely investigated with field experiments. To test if age of cavities may influence roosting or breeding behaviour in cavity-nesting birds, we created a set-up of three experimental groups of wooden boxes with the same physical dimensions: old boxes that were occupied at least once for nesting during years prior to this study, old boxes that were never accepted for breeding during years prior to this study, and new boxes. Half of the old boxes were relocated within the study plot and replaced by new ones. Box age did not have an impact on occupation rates during the winter period, and therefore did not seem to influence where the birds roosted. However, breeders occupied the old previously unoccupied boxes less frequently than the other boxes. Moreover, birds bred much earlier in new boxes than in the old boxes that were previously never exploited. We discuss when and how cavity age can influence roosting or breeding in nest-box exploiters. Our results strongly suggest that maintenance procedures of plots where old boxes are replaced by new ones can influence how and where birds will breed.

Conspecific effect on habitat selection of a territorial cavity-nesting bird

The simulated presence of conspecifics has been proposed to attract territorial songbirds to protect nesting areas when the habitat is being disturbed by human activities. We studied the effects of conspecifics on the nest-site selection of the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda; Furnariidae), a forest songbird that depends on cavities for nesting. Plantations represent usable habitat for foraging, but the scarcity of cavities restricts their use during the breeding period. The use of nest boxes is a documented measure to mitigate the negative effect of plantations on cavity users. We installed nest boxes in a plantation of Pinus radiata in south-central Chile, using the simulated presence of conspecifics as a potential tool to attract rayaditos to new available sites to nest. We simulated the presence of conspecifics through playback during 45 days prior nest building. Our results showed two contrasting outcomes. Firstly, conspecific simulation attracts rayaditos, by increasing their density before playback experiments by 75%. Secondly, rayaditos tended to avoid playback treatment sites as nesting started. The establishment of nests occurred 71% of the time and started 20 days earlier in control sites compared to playback treatment. Other secondary cavity-nesting birds, such as the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon; Troglodytidae) and White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis; Furnariidae), also avoided playback plots as nesting sites. The scarcity of cavities in pine plantations may increase the aggressive defense of breeding territories, making cavity-nesting birds move to other previously known vacant sites to nest when they listen other birds in the nesting site. It is highly recommended to assess the behavioral response to conspecific and heterospecific birds before the establishment of a management measure aiming to attract or discourage the presence of a target species.

Nesting of Laughing Falcons (Herpetotheres cachinnans) in the Pantanal, Brazil, with Remarks on Young Plumage and Nestling Vocalization

Laughing Falcons (Herpetotheres cachinnans) are common, medium-sized falconids that occur throughout the Neotropical region and marginally in the Nearctic American continent. There is little data on their breeding biology with the only information available based on scattered records. Here, we report data on 11 nests of H. cachinnans from the Pantanal, Brazil, including four in nest-boxes, between 2007–2008. The breeding season occurred between July–December, which is in accordance with the few records for this region. Records of two eggs or nestlings were found in 28% (n = 3) of nests, while the remaining 72% (n = 8) had one egg or nestling. The eggs were rounded and buff with brown markings or dark brown or purplish brown with darker markings. The hatchlings, even when a few days old, are pale buff overall in plumage with the distinctive black mask, typical of the adults. An undescribed vocalization of the nestling was recorded, which is similar to an uncommon vocal type emitted by the adults when disturbed. The study reveals novel data on the use of nest-boxes and on the breeding biology of the species, and reinforces the importance of such studies on its conservation.

Does urbanization have the potential to create an ecological trap for powerful owls (Ninox strenua)?

Landscape transformation associated with urbanization is one of the most damaging and pervasive impacts humans have on natural ecosystems. The response of species to increasing urbanization has become a major focus of research globally. Powerful owls (Ninox strenua) are a top-order predator the have been shown to reside in urban environments, but increasing urbanization has also been demonstrated to significantly reduce available habitat. In this paper we use species distribution models established for key food and nesting resources of powerful owls across an urban-forest gradient to constrain habitat predictions from a previously developed powerful owl species distribution model. This multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach allowed us to investigate the impacts of urbanization on potential powerful owl habitat when challenged with food and nesting requirements. As powerful owls only use tree cavities for nesting we propose that the cue for settlement in an area is associated with the presence of habitat and food and as such breeding requirements may be disconnected from settlement requirements.Our results demonstrate that incorporation of a general prey resource (at least one group of arboreal marsupials) as a cue for settlement does not reduce the amount of available habitat for powerful owls substantially. Further constraining the model with a tree cavity resource, however, leads to a substantial reduction in powerful owl habitat in the urban and urban fringe environments. If a diverse prey resource (two or more groups of arboreal marsupials) is used as the cue for settlement, this sees a substantial reduction in available habitat in urban environments. Incorporation of tree cavities into this model does not reduce the available habitat for powerful owls substantially.We propose that powerful owls do not need a diverse prey base for survival, and that breeding resources are unlikely to be a cue for settlement. As such, we argue in this paper that increasing urbanization has the potential to create an ecological trap for powerful owls as there is a significant difference between habitat capable of supporting powerful owls, and habitat in which owls can breed.Management of powerful owls in urban environments will be difficult, but this research highlights the potential for the use of nest boxes to enhance the breeding activities in increasingly urbanized environments. Replacement of this critical resource may be able to reverse any potential ecological trap that is occurring.

Influence of Tree Resources on Nest Box Use by the Japanese DormouseGlirulus japonicus

To investigate the factors that influence resting site preference of the Japanese dormouse Glirulus japonicus, we determined the effect of tree resources in a microhabitat on the use of nest boxes as daytime resting sites. The study area, which was in Mt. Nagakura National Forest in central Japan, was divided into 200 plots. In each plot, a nest box specially designed to harbor dormice was attached to the trunk or branch of a tree. All living trees in the microhabitat around nest boxes were recorded and categorized into 3 resource types: food, nesting materials, and other resources. We then incorporated a generalized linear model to determine how resource types affected the frequency of nest box use by dormice. A positive correlation was observed between the frequency of nest box use and abundance of trees of lower strata that were used as food resources. On the other hand, the abundance of trees categorized as other resources was negatively correlated with the frequency of nest box use. These findings suggest that dormouse resting site preference is influenced mainly by the abundance of food resources in the microhabitat.

Survey of the Patterns of Nest Box Use Among Squirrels (Sciuridae) in Managed Forest Stands in Clinton County, New York

Artificial habitat enhancements are important forest structural components that can increase the survival of squirrels (Sciuridae) and thus warrant study. Investigations of squirrel nest box usage can provide useful demographic and community information such as occupancy rates, litter size, habitat preference, species richness and abundance estimates. This artificial nest box study investigated the nesting patterns of squirrels from late winter through early fall 2011 in managed forest stands in Clinton County, New York. Squirrels are sensitive to forest disturbance, hence we compared sites of varying silvicultural activity (e.g., managed for production of timber or maple syrup versus an undisturbed reference stand). A total of 48 nest boxes were constructed and monitored across three separate sites (e.g., reference, logged, and sugaring). Prior research suggested that occupancy may be a function of nest box height (~3.5m and ~5m) and site-specific tree cavity/snags/drey abundance, thus height preference and alternative nesting options were monitored in the survey and analyzed to report detection probability and occupancy estimates in Program Presence. Visual confirmation of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus Shaw) was made in 81%, 44%, and 13% of the nest boxes in the reference, logged, and sugar site, respectively. Approximately 79% of the nest boxes showed evidence of wildlife visitation (e.g., scat, crushed seeds, or nesting material). Additionally, 87% of the high boxes (5m) versus 71% of the low boxes (3.5m) were utilized, and 17% of all occupancies contained multiple individuals. This survey provides additional multi-season occupancy data for an elusive mammal species under managed habitat regimes. We recommend that management plans include a wildlife habitat component that maintains snag trees and live cavity-trees in forest stands. When appropriate, stand management plans could also include installing habitat enhancement structures such as artificial nest boxes for squirrels.

Communal nursing in wild house mice is not a by-product of group living: Females choose

Communal nursing, the provision of milk to non-offspring, has been argued to be a non-adaptive by-product of group living. We used 2 years of field data from a wild house mouse population to investigate this question. Communal nursing never occurred among females that previously lacked overlap in nest box use. Females nursed communally in only 33 % of cases in which there was a communal nursing partner available from the same social group. Solitarily nursing females were not socially isolated in their group; nevertheless, high spatial associations prior to reproduction predict which potential female partner was chosen for communal nursing. An increase in partner availability increased the probability of communal nursing, but population density itself had a negative effect, which may reflect increased female reproductive competition during summer. These results argue that females are selective in their choice of nursing partners and provide further support that communal nursing with the right partner is adaptive.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00114-013-1130-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nest site selection by the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius: is safety more important than food?

Vegetation parameters determining nest site selection by the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius were studied in a typical habitat where dormice are relatively common in Lithuania, the northern periphery of its distributional range. Dormice preferred nest sites with a better-developed understory, particularly with a good cover of hazel shrubs taller than 4 m and plentiful bird cherry trees, a high diversity of woody plant species in the understory and overstory, and better connectivity of the nest tree with its surroundings. They avoided sites with a high number of mature Norway spruce trees in the canopy and a high density of young trees. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, three vegetation parameters of the number of shrub species, the cover of hazel shrubs, and the number of Norway spruce trees in the canopy determined over 85% of the index of nestbox use by M. avellanarius. The number of shrub species in the surroundings of the nest site had the highest impact of all. Nest sites used by dormice for breeding were distinguished by a better-developed understory, particularly by a significantly higher number of bird cherry trees and a lower number of Norway spruce trees in the canopy, as well as a higher diversity of plants in the understory and overstory. Selection of nest sites by M. avellanarius is a combination of safety from predators and the presence of food. A well-developed inter-connected understory ensures the safety of nest sites from predators, and the diversity of understory and overstory species guarantees continuity of the food supply in the vicinity of nest sites.

Changes in position and quality of preferred nest box: Effects on nest box use by laying hens

Using laying hens, we investigated whether position of a nest box, both within the pen and relative to other nest boxes, influenced the preference for a nest box, and how a sudden and marked change to the preferred box influenced the use of nest boxes by the hens. Groups (n=12) of 15 Isa Warren hens were housed in pens, each with five identical nest boxes in different positions: Two single (in a corner or not) and a triplet of nest boxes (one of which in a corner). The use of nest boxes was determined by the number of eggs laid daily in each box. Three experiments, each lasting 10 days, were carried out. First, the undisturbed use of each of the nest box types was investigated, and a strong preference (P<0.001) was found for single nest boxes in a corner, with 62% of the nest box eggs laid there. Second, each of the hen groups was moved to another pen allocated at random, and where the configuration of nest box types differed from that of their original pen. An effect of nest box type was found (P<0.001), with 41% of all eggs laid in the single nest box in a corner, and 26% of eggs laid in the corner triplet nest box. Third, the attractiveness of the preferred nest box within each pen was reduced by removing the Astroturf mat from the nest box floor, exposing the wire netting below. This resulted in a change of nest box use (P<0.001) from the single, corner nest box (67%; n=6) to the corner triplet nest box (37%) and the single nest box not in a corner (35%), and from the corner triplet nest box (48%; n=5) to the remaining triplet nest boxes (40% and 22%, respectively). The initial preference for a single nest box in a corner was probably due to a combination of isolation and view of the surroundings provided by this type of nest box. The manipulations in experiments II and III revealed that some hens were location conservative, i.e. continued laying in a corner location (or as close to that as possible), whereas others were isolation conservative, i.e. continued laying in the most isolated nest box despite it being positioned in a different area of the pen.

Should I Stay or Should I go? The Influence of Handling by Researchers on Den use in an Arboreal Nocturnal Rodent

AbstractUnderstanding how animals respond to disturbance by investigators is essential for a fair assessment of the presence of bias in routinely used research protocols. It is also an essential prerequisite for anyone interested in animal welfare and ethically sound research. Here, we utilize an automatic logging system to monitor nest box use by PIT‐tagged edible dormice, Glis glis, after standard handling procedures applied during a regular nest‐box monitoring programme. The edible dormouse is an arboreal nocturnal rodent that relies on tree hollows as daytime den sites. We assessed the effect of disturbance on dormice in two ways: whether it affected the decision of an individual to stay in the same den site for a subsequent day and whether it affected the timing of the individual's nocturnal emergence from the den site. We found handling had a strong negative effect on short‐term den use. In addition, females and sexually active individuals were more likely to spend the following day in the nest box. Individuals that had left the den site after our handling returned to them after an average of 4 d. Handling did not have a significant effect on the period of absence, but reproductively active animals returned on average after 3 d, while reproductively quiescent animals returned after more than 5 d. Manipulation did not have a significant effect on the initiation of nocturnal activity. Our study suggests that disturbance by investigators may modify certain aspects of animal behaviour, but this effect is likely to be short term and does not appear to impair the efficacy of routinely practiced capture‐mark‐recapture field protocols.

Nest survival of Great Tit Parus major in spatial and temporal gradient

The aim of the study was to compare nest survival of Great Tit between different regions, altitudes and years to discern which has the highest influence. Temperature is known to be prominent for breeding parameters and it changes consistently with altitude. Our hypothesis was that altitude has greater influence on nest survival than the region and year. Breeding parameters were monitored with the use of nestboxes over a three year period at three altitude belts in two regions. The main factor influencing nesting success was modelled using daily survival rate in the program MARK. We gathered data from 104 first nesting attempts of which 26 failed. Although nest failure increased with altitude this was significant only for one region. There was significant difference in nest failure between the regions but not between the years. Modelling showed higher support in data for regions than for altitudes and years thus rejecting the hypothesis. Some possible reasons for such results are discussed.

Nest-Box Occupancy by Neotropical Raptors in a Native Forest of Central Argentina

Abstract Breeding populations of raptors are sometimes limited by nest-site availability and the use of nest boxes to bolster such populations is widespread. In the neotropical forest, little is known about the ecology of cavity-nesting raptors and their use of nest boxes. Here we examine occupancy patterns of nest boxes by five raptor species during eight years in a semiarid forest of central Argentina: the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), the Spot-winged Falconet (Spiziapteryx circumcincta), the Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba), the Barn Owl (Tyto alba), and the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum). We analyze the influence of vegetation type on nest-box selection, report cases of nest usurpation, and present information on the breeding rates of some of these species. The raptor species showed a marked selection for nest boxes surrounded by grassland, where hunting success may be higher, and avoided those nest boxes placed in habitats dominated by dense shrublands. We observed two ...

A preliminary overview of raptor monitoring in Slovenia – an overview of methodologies, current monitoring status and future perspectives

Abstract Among 48 raptor species (birds of prey, owls, shrikes) recorded recently in Slovenia, some long-term monitoring activities are being conducted for more than half of them, mainly for conservation and research purposes. However, national coverage is achieved only in 15% of the species, whereas other monitoring programmes are more or less local. Two monitoring approaches are considered, the species specific approach and assemblage approach. Current ongoing monitoring programmes for raptors in Slovenia lack monitoring of breeding success, which is now confined to only a few owl species. Use of nestboxes should therefore be considered more broadly in the future for some species at least

산림성 조류(Forest-DwellingBirds)의 인공소상 이용에 관한 연구

This study was conducted to investigate use of artificial nest boxes of the forest-dwelling birds. The Jusan-reservoir located in Juwangsan-National Park is the main installation area of the 30 artificial nest boxes. In our study, varied tit Parus varius, great tit P. major, and marsh tit P. palustris used the artificial nest boxes at the study area. The used rate of the artificial nest boxes was 46.6% (n=14). There are differences in use among heights of the artificial nest boxes used by three species respectively (One-way ANOVA, F=14.536, p&lt;0.05). According to the direction of the entrance of used artificial nest boxes, the used rate of them showed nonsignificant difference (Chi-square test, χ2=5.606, p=0.132), but appeared to be preferred of the south. Our results suggest that use of the artificial nest box can be correlated with heights of artificial nest boxes (Binominal logistic regression, Wald=7.626, df=1. p&lt;0.05). Correlation analysis between minimum temperature and date of egg-laying showed significant differences (t-test, t=－2.259, p&lt;0.05).

Noncaged laying hens remain unflappable while wearing body-mounted sensors: Levels of agonistic behaviors remain unchanged and resource use is not reduced after habituation

Unique markings or body-mounted sensors facilitate data collection from individuals in large groups of similar-looking conspecifics but may have unintended consequences on behavior. A wireless sensor attached to the back of laying hens via a harness has been developed to monitor space use and activity. Prior to collecting experimental data, effects of the sensor on resource use and social interactions were assessed. Four rooms of 135 hens each were weighed and 10 hens/room were randomly fitted with sensors at 11 wk of age (0 d). Instantaneous scan samples recorded the number of hens (SEN: sensor-wearing hen, and NON: hen without sensor) using resources (feeder, water, nest box, perch) every 5 min over 24 h on -5 d, -4 d, -2 d, -1 d, 1 d, 2 d, 4 d, 8 d, and 16 d. Logistic regression determined that SEN feeder use was less on 1 d and 2 d and more on 16 d than NON feeder use. The SEN water use was reduced only on 1 d. The SEN nest box use increased on 1 d, 2 d, and 16 d. The SEN perched more on 1 d, 2 d, and 4 d, and less on 8 d. Initial resource use was affected by wearing a sensor, but by 16 d, all resources were used similarly or more by SEN than NON. No difference in BW was observed on 17 d, suggesting that long-term resource use was not affected. No differences were observed among the number of agonistic observations -5 d, 8 d, and 16 d. With the exception of SEN hens acting as aggressors toward NON hens, agonistic interaction types occurred close to expected proportions. These factors indicate that hens habituate to wearing sensors within 2 wk.