Nest Site Characteristics Research Articles

Landscape features and weather influence nest survival of a ground-nesting bird of conservation concern, the greater sage-grouse, in human-altered environments

Ground-nesting birds experience high levels of nest predation. However, birds can make selection decisions related to nest site location and characteristics that may result in physical, visual, and olfactory impediments to predators. We studied daily survival rate [DSR] of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from 2008 to 2010 in an area in Wyoming experiencing large-scale alterations to the landscape. We used generalized linear mixed models to model fixed and random effects, and a correlation within nesting attempts, individual birds, and years. Predation of the nest was the most common source of nest failure (84.7%) followed by direct predation of the female (13.6%). Generally, landscape variables at the nest site (≤ 30 m) were more influential on DSR of nests than features at larger spatial scales. Percentage of shrub canopy cover at the nest site (15-m scale) and distances to natural gas wells and mesic areas had a positive relationship with DSR of nests, whereas distance to roads had a negative relationship with DSR of nests. When added to the vegetation model, maximum wind speed on the day of nest failure and a 1-day lag in precipitation (i.e., precipitation the day before failure) improved model fit whereby both variables negatively influenced DSR of nests. Nest site characteristics that reduce visibility (i.e., shrub canopy cover) have the potential to reduce depredation, whereas anthropogenic (i.e., distance to wells) and mesic landscape features appear to facilitate depredation. Last, predators may be more efficient at locating nests under certain weather conditions (i.e., high winds and moisture).

Honey bee (Apis mellifera capensis/A. m. scutellata hybrid) nesting behavior in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Little is known about the natural history of wild honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The goal of this research was to examine nest site characteristics of honey bee (A. m. capensis/A. m. scutellata hybrid) colonies sampled from a variety of habitats (nature reserves, livestock farms, and an urban setting) in the Eastern Cape. We also determined how nest site location related to various colony strength parameters. In general, colonies not nesting in ground cavities tended to nest in locations >6 m high when nesting in cliffs and buildings and >2 m high when nesting in trees. Colonies typically nested in cavities whose entrances faced a southeasterly direction and were ~40 L in volume. We sampled a subset of colonies to determine the relationship between nest type and the following colony strength parameters: total area of comb in the colony, the volume of stored honey, pollen, and brood, adult bee population, the weight per adult bee, and the bee/nest cavity volume ratio. In general, colonies nesting in cliffs tended to be stronger than those nesting in the ground or trees. Our findings provide new insights into the nesting biology of honey bees in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, perhaps leading to the formation of conservation recommendations for honey bees in this region.

Intraspecific social information use in the selection of nest site characteristics

Animals commonly acquire information about the environment by monitoring how others interact with it. The importance of social information use probably varies among species. In particular, many migratory birds breeding in northern latitudes rely on social information provided by resident tits when making important decisions and are able to copy or reject selectively the decisions of tits exhibiting good or bad fitness correlates, respectively. However, little is known about the role of social information use among resident tits. In a field experiment we tested whether great tits, Parus major, given a choice between two novel alternative features on adjacent nest sites, copy or reject conspecific choice represented by a simulated tit nest nearby, when the nest exhibits a high or low fitness correlate (clutch size). In contrast to the results in the interspecific setting, the portrayed fitness of the simulated nest did not affect tits’ nest site choices. However, the age of males had an effect, irrespective of the fitness correlate. Pairs with an old male preferred, while pairs with a young male tended to reject, the nest site choices of the simulated previously settled conspecifics. This result is surprising, as the final nest site choice in this species is presumably made by females, whose age and other phenotypic traits did not have an effect here. Our results imply stronger influence of the male great tits on nest site choice than previously thought. Dominance relationships and intraspecific competition are possible explanations for the age-dependent patterns in social information use.

Differences in Culturable Microbial Communities in Bird Nestboxes According to Orientation and Influences on Offspring Quality in Great Tits (Parus major)

Although bird-microbial interactions have become a topic of increasing research, the influence of nest-site characteristics, such as cavity orientation, on nest microbial communities in free-living passerines has not, to our knowledge, been investigated. This is despite the possibility of microbial differences explaining non-random patterns in nest-site selection and offspring quality, such as those exhibited by great tits (Parus major). We swabbed great tit nestboxes that faced either south-southwest (180-269°) or north-northeast (0-89°). Overall, 28 bacterial species and 11 fungal species were isolated, but the culturable microbial community differed substantially between different orientations-indeed nestboxes could be classified to their orientation group with high accuracy using microbial data. Nestboxes facing south-southwest had a significantly higher fungal load (typically double) than those facing north-northeast due to a higher abundance of two species, Epicoccum purpurascens and Cladosporium cladosporioides. There was no relationship between total bacterial load and orientation, although the abundance of one species, Pseudomonas veronii, was significantly lower in south-southwest boxes. The abundance of the allergen E. purpurascens explained almost 20% of the variation in offspring quality, being significantly and inversely related to chick size (high loads associated with small, poor quality, chicks). Our results provide empirical evidence for a correlation between nestbox orientation and culturable microbial load and a further correlation between abundance of one species, E. purpurascens, and offspring quality. Thus, microbial load, which is itself influenced by nest cavity parameters, could be the proximate factor that influences nest-site choice through its effect on offspring quality (and thus, overall fecundity).

Nesting biology of the Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops), a species without nest-site fidelity: an indication of high cavity availability?

Parrots are considered a globally threatened group but, despite that, little is known about the ecology, reproduction and behaviour of many species in the wild, especially those of dry tropical habitats. I studied the breeding biology of the Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops) between 2007 and 2009. Yellow-faced Parrots are endemic to the Cerrado (neotropical savanna) biome of central South America. Their reproductive biology is poorly known and here I provide basic information on reproduction, including breeding success, nest-site characteristics, and whether the availability of cavities is a limiting factor. Average clutch-size was two eggs, and hatching success was high (92%). All nests were in cavities in termite mounds, with used cavities deeper and with wider entrances than cavities that were not used. Entrances to nests were orientated towards the north-east. Although the number of cavities in the environment appears to be high, specific nesting requirements and competition with other cavity-nesting birds and insects may reduce the number of cavities that can be used. Nevertheless, nests were never observed to be reused and site-fidelity appeared to be low. Specific nesting requirements and low site-fidelity may create problems for near-threatened species with declining populations, such as the Yellow-faced Parrot. Additional studies and the immediate implementation of conservation actions are essential to avoid future declines of populations of Yellow-faced Parrots.

Nest-Site Selection and Nesting Success of Grey-Backed Thrushes in Northeast China

We identified microhabitat features affecting nest-site selection and examined nest-site characteristics associated with success for the Grey-backed Thrush (Turdus hortulorum) in the Dagang Forestry Farm, Jilin Province, northeast China. We collected data from 79 nests from April to August 2008. Twenty-nine nests (36.7%) were successful, 47 (59.5%) failed due to predation, and the rest were either destroyed by storms or abandoned. The overall daily survival rate (DSR) was 0.9563 ± 0.0072. Nest attempts beginning late in the breeding season were more likely to be depredated. Averaged DSR of laying and late nestling (days 7–12 after hatching) periods were higher than those of incubation and brooding (days 1–6 after hatching). We compared habitat variables between nest and random sites and assessed the effects of nest-location and nest-patch characteristics on DSR. Grey-backed Thrushes selected nest sites with shorter ground cover and a high density of small trees and shrubs. DSR was positively related to distance from the nest to the main stem of the nest tree and negatively correlated with horizontal exposure. Further research should focus on identification of nest predators, implications of nest exposure and begging calls on nesting success, and breeding habitat requirements at different spatial and temporal scales of Grey-backed Thrush in fragmented landscapes of northeast China.

Nest-site Characteristics of Red-tailed Hawks and Common Ravens on San Clemente Island, California

Caracteristicas de Los Sitios de Anidacion de Buteo jamaicensis y Corvus corax En La Isla De San Clemente, California Los sitios de anidacion de los halcones Buteo jamaicensis y de los cuervos Corvus corax pueden ser escasos en la isla de San Clemente (ISC), California. Evaluamos el uso de sitios de anidacion y el exito reproductivo de estas especies en este ambiente de isla. Registramos las caracteristicas del sitio de anidacion de 20 halcones y de 19 cuervos en ISC en 2001 y 2002. Los halcones y los cuervos anidaron en acantilados de grandes canones y en acantilados marinos, a pesar de la presencia de arboles y estructuras artificiales. Ambas especies utilizaron acantilados casi verticales. Los halcones utilizaron sitios mas altos y expuestos e incorporaron vegetacion como soporte para el nido. Los cuervos utilizaron con frecuencia cuevas en acantilados marinos pequenos. La exposicion de los nidos de los halcones estuvo orientada significativamente hacia el sudeste, en oposicion a los vientos dominantes...

Proximity to a high traffic road: Glucocorticoid and life history consequences for nestling white-crowned sparrows

Roads have been associated with decreased reproductive success and biodiversity in avian communities and increased physiological stress in adult birds. Alternatively, roads may also increase food availability and reduce predator pressure. Previous studies have focused on adult birds, but nestlings may also be susceptible to the detrimental impacts of roads. We examined the effects of proximity to a road on nestling glucocorticoid activity and growth in the mountain white-crowned sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Additionally, we examined several possible indirect factors that may influence nestling corticosterone (CORT) activity secretion in relation to roads. These indirect effects include parental CORT activity, nest-site characteristics, and parental provisioning. And finally, we assessed possible fitness consequences of roads through measures of fledging success. Nestlings near roads had increased CORT activity, elevated at both baseline and stress-induced levels. Surprisingly, these nestlings were also bigger. Generally, greater corticosterone activity is associated with reduced growth. However, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis matures through the nestling period (as nestlings get larger, HPA-activation is greater). Although much of the variance in CORT responses was explained by body size, nestling CORT responses were higher close to roads after controlling for developmental differences. Indirect effects of roads may be mediated through paternal care. Nestling CORT responses were correlated with paternal CORT responses and paternal provisioning increased near roads. Hence, nestlings near roads may be larger due to increased paternal attentiveness. And finally, nest predation was higher for nests close to the road. Roads have apparent costs for white-crowned sparrow nestlings – increased predation, and apparent benefits – increased size. The elevation in CORT activity seems to reflect both increased size (benefit) and elevation due to road proximity (cost). Whether or not roads are good or bad for nestlings remains equivocal. However, it is clear that roads affect nestlings; how or if these effects influence adult survival or reproduction remains to be elucidated.

Reproductive success of cavity-nesting birds in partially harvested woodlots

Cavity-nesting birds are dependent on large declining and dead trees that are frequently removed during partial harvesting. We compared breeding densities, nest survival, nest site characteristics, food abundance, and reproductive parameters of six species of cavity-nesting birds in partially harvested and reference woodlots in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Silvicultural practices significantly altered woodlot structure, with treatment-specific effects on bark arthropod biomass, fledging dates for the Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758)), and site suitability for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus varius (Linnaeus, 1766)). Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker ( Picoides pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766)), and Hairy Woodpecker ( Picoides villosus (Linnaeus, 1766)) experienced lower breeding densities in recently cut sites. Daily survival rates were generally greater for nests positioned higher up in large trees and for Northern Flicker ( Colaptes auratus (Linnaeus, 1758)) nests excavated in healthy and hard wood. Conversely, the Black-capped Chickadee ( Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766)) had higher daily survival rates in low, small trees (<10 cm diameter at breast height) and sites with lower arthropod abundance. We conclude that although partial harvesting has the potential to decrease cavity-nesting bird breeding densities, conscientious cavity tree retention during harvest may provide suitable nesting sites that maintain high rates of nest success, regardless of the silvicultural treatments that we examined. However, further research is required to monitor these trends beyond a single harvesting rotation.

Nest site selection and nesting biology of Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta japonicus in Japan

Capsule The population of Rock Ptarmigan in Japan have the southernmost distribution of Rock Ptarmigan in the world; they nest in moderately open sites which facilitate the detection of predators. Aims To assess nest site selection of this population of Rock Ptarmigan and to compare the data with those for other populations of this species. Methods Nest site characteristics were recorded and compared with random sites. Nest success, clutch size, and hatching rate were determined. Results All nests (n = 24) were found in Pinus pumila shrubs. Vegetation height at nests was significantly lower than at random sites. While the nests were well concealed, one direction of lateral cover was moderately open and its cover was significantly less than at random sites. Such nest placements may provide a good view from the nests, facilitating the detection of predators. Nesting success was 75.3% in 2006 and 61.1% in 2007, which is higher than reported in other populations of this species. Conclusion Rock Ptarmigan selected P. pumila shrubs with moderately open sites for their nests. We propose that these nest characteristics are related to nesting predation. Selection of nesting sites may depend on several factors. We suggest how this information can be used to guide conservation measures for this and perhaps other populations of Rock Ptarmigan. The population in Japan are at risk of extinction due to global warming and/or habitat loss.

Habitat Model of Urban-Nesting Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) in Southern Arizona

We developed a habitat model of urban-nesting Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) based on characteristics of nest sites in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. We tested the model in three urban areas in southern Arizona. In Green Valley, the model correctly predicted expected occupancy at six of seven potential home ranges. However, we found no nest of Cooper's hawk at 4 and 16 sites in Casa Grande and Phoenix, respectively, with model-expected occupancy. No nest of Cooper's hawk was at any site in any of the three urban areas where our model predicted no occupancy. We speculate that high temperatures in the lower-elevation cities (Phoenix and Casa Grande) were beyond thermal tolerance of nesting Cooper's hawks.

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) demography and nest-site selection in response to single-tree selection silviculture in a northern hardwood managed forest landscape

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) demography and nest-site selection were examined in mature tolerant hardwood stands and stands at 3 stages of recovery (1–5, 10–15, and 20–25 y) following single-tree selection in the continuously forested landscape of Algonquin Provincial Park, central Ontario. This is one of a few studies to provide evidence of these responses in a continuously forested landscape. No differences in nesting success or finite rates of increase were detected among treatments. Ovenbirds were more selective of nest sites with deep leaf-litter and basal areas with a greater proportion of larger trees in recently harvested stands than in other stages of recovery. By 20–25 y post-harvest, most nest-site and random-plot microhabitat parameters did not differ. During the study, Algonquin Provincial Park was designated as a sink, probably due to heavy mast production in 2006, after which some mast-consuming small mammal populations increased by 9-fold, dramatically increasing rates of nest predation. Single-tree selection did not appear to affect ovenbird per capita productivity among stages of forest recovery, and by 20–25 y post-harvest many structural features of the forest had returned to pre-harvest conditions. Thus, in Algonquin Provincial Park, single-tree selection appears to be appropriate for maintaining sufficient ovenbird nest-site features by the end of the first cutting cycle. However, future source-sink modeling of this landscape should consider the influence of resource-pulse dynamics as an important parameter and track changes over the long term, to determine how sustainable populations of ovenbirds are within this region.

Learning what (not) to do: testing rejection and copying of simulated heterospecific behavioural traits

Animals can copy behaviour of heterospecifics (interspecific social learning), but it is not known whether social-learning strategies postulated for conspecific contexts, such as selectively copying individuals (or behaviours) that are more successful or common than the observer, apply here. A recent study found evidence for biased interspecific acquisition of nest site feature preference depending on observed fitness of the demonstrator (clutch size). We experimentally tested whether migratory pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, females, given a choice between two novel alternative behavioural traits of nest site feature choice, copy or reject the experimentally induced choice exhibited by simulated resident tit (Parus spp.) nests, when those nests portray a high or low fitness correlate (clutch size). Flycatchers were more likely to choose the opposite trait when the exhibited choice was associated with low simulated tit clutch size, demonstrating active rejection. Flycatchers had a strong overall preference to take over the tit nest site. We conclude that animals in the wild can respond to observable heterospecific fitness correlates when making decisions. Our experiment confirmed the existence of a strategy to reject behaviours exhibited by poorly performing individuals, complementing the already proposed social-learning strategies. By affecting the niche overlap of co-occurring species utilizing similar resources, interspecific social learning may affect species interactions and community structure.

Breeding ecology and conservation of Brown booby in Gorgona Island, eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

AbstractBreeding ecology and reproductive traits of Brown Booby _Sula leucogaster_ etesiaca in Gorgona Natural National Park, Colombia, were studied. Adults morphometrics, eggs dimensions, chicks growth and nesting site characteristics, were examined at three different locations in the park. As with other subspecies, Brown Booby in Gorgona presents inverted sexual dimorphism, with adult females being lengthier, wider and heavier than adult males. Breeding of S. l. etesiaca results in eggs from the first deposition bigger in weight and dimensions than eggs from the second or third deposition. Growth of brown boobies chicks fit to a natural log equation: bodymass(g) = 0.8773 ln(days) + 3.3895. A variety of spawning aggregations was found, and their relationship with the other marine birds nesting in the area is discussed.

Nest-Site Selection and Nest Survival of Lewis’s Woodpecker in Aspen Riparian Woodlands

Abstract. Riparian woodlands of aspen (Populus tremuloides) provide valuable breeding habitat for several cavity-nesting birds. Although anecdotal information for this habitat is available for Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), no study has previously examined the importance of aspen woodlands to this species' breeding biology. From 2002 to 2004, we monitored 76 Lewis's Woodpecker nests in aspen riparian woodlands of south-central Idaho to describe nest-site characteristics and estimate the nests' survival. We quantified the vegetation at nest sites and randomly selected other sites to determine habitat features important in the species' selection of a nest site. We then related these features, as well as several time-specific covariates, to nest survival. Lewis's Woodpecker selected nest trees that were larger in diameter than random trees and selected nest sites with more trees, fewer woody stems, and less bare ground than random sites. However, nest-site characteristics were not important determina...

Nest site characteristics of Pteromys momonga in the Tanzawa Mountains

Nest site characteristics of <i>Pteromys momonga</i> in the Tanzawa Mountains

Habitat use and local harvesting practices of the Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis) in western Mexico

Orange-fronted Parakeets Aratinga canicularis are widespread and common across their range. However, the ecology and habitat use are scarcely known. Observations of the nest site characteristics, diet, flock size, habitat movements, and local harvesting practices are reported in this study for Colima, Mexico, a site where the species occurs year-round. Characteristics of termitaria nest sites in deciduous oak and tropical semi-deciduous forests were compared. Nesting site selection did not differ between vegetation types, but some preference for higher and larger termitaria is suggested. Availability of suitable nesting sites is apparently not a limiting factor. Anecdotal reports from the local people and empirical observations of eggs and hatchlings by the author suggest a three-month extension of the breeding period to what is reported in the literature. A. canicularis was observed foraging on 25 plant species. Flock size and activity increased during the rainy season, and were reduced during the beginning of the dry season. Observations and movement in semi-deciduous vegetation were common throughout the study, coinciding with the presence of constant although scattered fruit availability. People in the community see the harvesting and selling of parakeets as an additional source of income, in particular during the dry season when agricultural-related income activities are at their minimum. However, the associated mortality and nest-site destruction may pose a threat to the species in this region.

Microhabitat Features at Mexican Spotted Owl Nest and Roost Sites in the Guadalupe Mountains

Abstract In some portions of their range, Mexican Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) are found occupying conifer-dominated forests, whereas in other portions of their range, they occupy narrow and steep-walled canyons. Although the characteristics of this owl's nesting and roosting habitat have been studied extensively in predominately forested environments, there is far less information describing microhabitat features associated with nesting and roosting sites in canyon systems. In this report, we quantitatively describe microhabitat characteristics of nest and roost sites of Mexican Spotted Owls within the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico and west Texas, where Spotted Owls dwell primarily in narrow, rocky, and semiarid canyons. We measured 21 habitat features describing the geomorphology of the canyon and finer-scaled variables at accessible owl nest or roost sites (n = 10) and at nearby random sites up- (n = 10) and down-canyon (n = 10); we found that tree canopy cover (%) wa...

Home Range, Habitat Use, and Nest Site Characteristics of Mississippi Kites in the White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas

We located 39 Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) nests during the 2004 and 2005 breeding seasons in the White River National Wildlife Refuge in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas, USA. Radio transmitters were placed on seven adult and eight juvenile kites; 649 locations based on ground telemetry and 393 locations from aircraft were recorded for six adults (n = 5 males, 1 female) and five juveniles (n = 2 males, 3 females). The mean 90% kernel home range was 3,098 ha for adult kites (n = 6) and 439 ha (n = 5) for juveniles. Radio-marked Mississippi Kites significantly used mature forest (65.6%), second growth (15.5%), and water (10.0%) relative to availability (59.6, 11.5, and 7.1%, respectively). Agriculture fields (6.5%) and wetlands (1.5%) were used significantly less within the home ranges of kites relative to availability (17.6 and 3.9%, respectively). Tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and height of nest tree emergence above the surrounding trees were significantly greater for nest sites than randomly-selected overstory trees. Nest trees were significantly closer to the edge than randomly-selected trees. Most (57%) Mississippi Kite nests were in crotches of secondary branches in the nest tree. Conservation of super-emergent trees and mature forests is needed for nesting and foraging areas. Second-growth forest should be allowed to mature (>75 years) and uniform canopies should be avoided.

Do parasitic common goldeneyeBucephala clangulafemales choose nests on the basis of host traits or nest site traits?

Conspecific brood parasitism (CBP) is an important alternative breeding strategy for gaining reproductive output in birds. While interactions between hosts and parasites and consequences of CBP to breeding success of both parties have been studied a lot, the roles of host characteristics and nest site characteristics in CBP have received less attention. We studied the relative importance of host‐related traits, such as female condition and breeding experience, and nest‐site‐related factors, such as overall nest site preference and occupation rate, in explaining the occurrence of CBP in a common goldeneyeBucephala clangulapopulation. We used spatially and temporally extensive data sets, analysed the data with generalized linear mixed models that allowed us to account for the non‐independency of individual nesting attempts across females and nesting sites, and used an information theoretic approach in model selection and inference. About half of the nests were parasitized annually during the seven year study period. The occurrence of CBP decreased with advancement of the breeding season but late nests were also frequently parasitized. We found that the occurrence of CBP was better explained by nest‐site characteristics than host traits, implying that parasitic females target a given nest based on factors related to the nest site itself rather than on the host. Our results suggest that more attention should be paid to factors associated with nest site attractiveness and quality when studying laying decisions of parasites and the occurrence of CBP in general.