Previous Nest Site Research Articles

Causes and consequences of nest-site fidelity in a tropical lekking bird: Win-stay-lose-shift tactics are unrelated to subsequent success, but site-faithful females nest earlier

Abstract Nest-site selection influences the survival of care-giving parents and their offspring, but search costs and site availability may limit site choices. Returning to previous nest sites may reduce costs and allow parents to better avoid local predators or access familiar resources. We investigated nest-site fidelity in the Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), in which long-lived females raise offspring without male assistance, and found that site choices are responsive to past success but do not predict future outcomes. We compared georeferenced nest locations for the same females detected in consecutive years (245 comparisons for 138 females) and females nesting repeatedly within a year (137 comparisons for 97 females). Females were faithful to nesting sites in 13.9% of comparisons across years and 10.2% within years, and were more likely to nest again in the same site if their offspring fledged. When switching sites, females moved farther if their previous nest failed. Nest-site fidelity was unrelated to mate fidelity or female age. We then assessed whether site choice related to subsequent female survival, nest timing, or nest survival. Contrary to the hypothesis that win-stay-lose-shift tactics improve subsequent nesting outcomes, we found females were no more likely to fledge chicks or survive to a later year after they reused nest sites. However, across years, site-faithful females nested earlier on average than females that switched sites. Early nests were more likely to fledge chicks, and early-nesting females were more likely to renest when their first nesting effort was complete. Win-stay-lose-shift tactics may allow females to avoid areas where predation is likely, but new nest sites are not safer. Females that reuse nest sites benefit from early nest initiation, which both correlates with immediate success and creates potential for longer-term benefits of fidelity through increased opportunities to renest throughout the breeding season.

Recruitment Rates, Natal and Breeding Dispersal of Montagu’s Harriers (Circus Pygargus) by Means of Microsatellite Analysis

Introduction:Adult philopatry as well as juvenile dispersal and recruitment rates are key factors for population development. We investigated these questions for the first time in an increasing German population of Montagu’s harrier in Frankonia using microsatellite markers.Methods:By means of 16 loci, we genotyped 2265 samples from juvenile and adult female Montagu’s harriers. Parentage and identity tests were used to reconstruct life histories of birds for a 10 year period. Most of the birds were breeding in one or two years. The longest life history was eight years.Results:Adult philopatry was quite high and differed significantly between sexes. We found 73.5% of females to breed < 5 km around the previous nest site (80.4% < 10 km, median nesting distance 2.1 km). All investigated males (n=18) were breeding in a distance of < 5 km (median nesting distance 1.3 km) to the previous nest. Juveniles showed a low recruitment rate (females: 2.9%, males: 4.9%, together 4%). Median natal dispersal distance was 19.1 km for females and 12.3 km for males. We found 29.4% of females and 41.2% of males to be philopatric, as the distance between hatching and first breeding site was < 10 km. Philopatry results mostly agree with data from other European countries.Discussion:Due to strict marker and data selection we received high quality life histories of Montagu’s harriers, which demonstrate that microsatellite analyses are valuable tools in ornithology.Conclusion:Nevertheless, comparison of philopatry and recruitment rates depend directly on the scale used and investigation method and therefore remain a challenge.

The importance of site to mate choice: Mate and site fidelity in Piping Plovers

Each breeding season, seasonally monogamous birds can divorce or reunite with their previous year's mate, assuming both partners survive and return. We tested a suite of variables related to mate choice and site choice to determine which of 4 prominent mate fidelity hypotheses (better [mate] option, habitat mediated, musical chairs, and bet-hedging) best explained the interyear reunion rate and breeding dispersal of a seasonally monogamous shorebird, Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), nesting on dynamic sandbars on the Missouri River, USA, 2005–2012. Of 252 pairs in which both members returned to the breeding grounds the following year, only 20% reunited. Pairs with an early-arriving male had the highest mate fidelity. Reunited pairs returned to previous nest sites (median breeding dispersal = 39 m), and divorced and widowed birds tended to move farther (median = 229 m and 193 m, respectively). Overall, site fidelity was higher in males than females. Previous reproductive success of a pair did not predict reunion, but all successful birds, with the exception of divorced females, exhibited high site fidelity, suggesting selection for site based on prior breeding success. Among divorced birds, females had higher-quality mates and higher nest success compared to their former partners, and they nested in areas of similar quality between years, whereas males settled in lower-quality areas following divorce. The benefits that females gained from divorce suggested that females initiated divorce to improve reproductive success, which supports the better option hypothesis. Although females seemed to initiate most divorces, males may have divorced as a safeguard against remaining unmated when there was uncertainty about the survival and return of a former mate, as proposed by the bet-hedging hypothesis.

Breeding ecology of the Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus, in the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia

The breeding behaviour and ecology of the Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus, were investigated in three consecutive years in the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia, where the species breeds either under halophytic bushes or in exposed sites where ground temperatures may reach 60°C. Three aspects make the Farasan Island population distinct from most other Kentish Plover populations studied to date. First, incubating plovers appear to prefer nesting under halophytic bushes rather than in exposed sites, since 65.1% of nests were under bushes, whereas 34.9% of nests were in fully exposed sites. Second, both mate fidelity and nest-site fidelity were high, and pairs stayed within short distances from their previous nest sites. Third, brood desertion was very rare in the Farasan Islands – unlike most other populations where the female or the male deserts the brood shortly after hatching of the eggs – since in 95% of broods both parents attended the chick(s) (n=153 broods). We suggest that these social traits are driven by the extreme hot environment that requires parental cooperation, although adaptation to island-dwelling and corresponding changes in life-history traits cannot be ruled out.

Fine-scale spatial structuring in cackling Canada geese related to reproductive performance and breeding philopatry

Cackling Canada geese, Branta canadensis minima, have a geographically structured pattern of relatedness at both local and large spatial scales. Here, I investigated the potential mechanisms that may be responsible for promotion and maintenance of genetic structuring; specifically, I examined the relationships between breeding philopatry, the proximity of relatives and nesting success. Using eight microsatellite loci, I genetically identified individual female cackling Canada geese nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska between 1994 and 1997. I found that 50–70% of the nests in any one year were of females that had nested on the study area in a previous year. Successful females were 3.8 times more likely to return to within 150 m of a previous nest site (breeding philopatry) than unsuccessful females. Relatedness of the nearest neighbour also had a positive but small effect on breeding philopatry. Breeding philopatry and relatedness of the nearest neighbour, in turn, increased future nesting success of females. These results suggest that patterns of fine-scale genetic differentiation are associated with reproductive success and increases in success coupled with breeding philopatry may further promote fine-scale genetic structuring.

Timing games in the reproductive phenology of female pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.).

We use a game-theoretic framework to investigate the reproductive phenology of female kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka). As in the other semelparous species of Pacific salmon, females construct nests in gravel, spawn with males, bury their fertilized eggs, and defend their nest sites until they die several days later. Later-breeding females may reuse previous nest sites, and their digging behavior is thought to subject previously buried eggs to mortality. Using game-theoretic models, we show that females can reduce this risk by allocating resources to longevity (the period between arrival and death) as opposed to eggs. Waiting before territory settlement is also expected if it allows females to conserve energy and delay senescence. The models demonstrate how these costs and benefits interact to select for a seasonal decline in longevity, a well-known phenomenon in the salmonid literature, and a seasonal decline in wait duration. Both of these predictions were supported in a field study of kokanee. Female state of reproductive maturity was the most important proximate factor causing variation in longevity and wait duration. With more than 30% of territories being reused, dig-up is likely an important selective force in this population.

Nest-Site Selection by Female Black-Capped Chickadees: Settlement Based on Conspecific Attraction?

Female Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) solicit extrapair copu- lations (EPCs) from neighboring high-ranked males, and these EPCs result in extrapair young. Females might choose to locate their nests near the territory boundaries of attractive males to facilitate access to EPCs. Other hypotheses might also explain choice of nest site, namely: (1) habitat characteristics, (2) prey abundance, and (3) previous experience. We test- ed these four hypotheses in 1996 and 1997. Out of 27 habitat characteristics measured, we found only one that was significantly different between nests and control sites in both years. The abundance of large trees was lower at nest sites than at control sites in each year and when years were pooled. Relative prey abundance did not differ between nests and control sites for either year of the study. We found no difference in interyear nest placement based on female experience; experienced females nested farther than 60 m from their previous nest sites in both years of the study. In 1996, females whose neighboring males were higher ranked than their social partner located their nests significantly closer to territory bound- aries than did females whose nearest neighbors were lower ranked than their social partner. In 1997, all pairs nested near territory boundaries. We conclude that choice of nest location in Black-capped Chickadees is influenced by conspecific attraction based on mating tactics.

Use of retained trees for nesting by birds in logged eucalypt forest in north-eastern Tasmania

In a previous study in eucalypt forest in north-eastern Tasmania four hollow-nesting bird species (striated pardalote Pardcilotus striatus, green rosella Platycercus caledonicus, laughing kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae and yellow-tailed black cockatoo Calyptorynchus funereus) were recorded in 1989 using hollows in 29 trees, with re-use being documented in 1990 when an additional nest tree was discovered. The present study was undertaken in 1995/96 after logging of part of the area, and a wildfire. Several nest trees were destroyed during the logging. In the logged areas, or patches or strips surrounded by logged forest, 19% of trees were windthrown or had lost the limb containing the nest. Re-use of the tree hollows by birds was examined for the 22 remaining trees. Only striated pardalotes were recorded as re-using previous nest sites following logging; 24% of these nest sites were being re-used in 1995/96 compared with 74% in 1990. Reuse of nest sites in 1995/96 appeared to be influenced by location; three of the four nest trees located in retained strips, one of the seven in logged areas and none of the six nest sites in unlogged forest were re-used. Tree martins (a species not recorded nesting in the area before logging) and striated pardalotes were observed in the logged area nesting in trees which had not been recorded as nest sites before logging, and green rosellas were observed using a hollow in a tree within a streamside reserve within the logged area.

Estimating nest site fidelity of adult female black brant with multi-state modeling and geographic information systems

Nest site fidelity of adult female black brant breeding at the Tutakoke River, Alaska was evaluated from 1987 to 1993 by recording nest locations of brant marked (approx. 1500) with individually coded tarsal tags. We used two approaches to study fidelity. First, we examined fidelity to four geographic strata within the Tutakoke River colony. For our second analysis approach, we used ARC/INFO to map and measure distances between successive nesting attempts and then estimated the probability of fidelity to within 200 m of the previous nest site. We used program MSSURVIV to estimate movement probabilities and to test hypotheses about fidelity. Both of our analysis approaches indicate that female black brant exhibit a high (>0.72) probability of fidelity to previous nest sites. Our estimates of fidelity were not biased by the confounding of detection, survival and movement probabilities that have plagued previous studies of fidelity.

Mate retention in the kittiwake,Rissa tridactyla, and the significance of nest site tenacity

Data on mate retention and nest site tenacity of kittiwakes at North Shields (1954-1990) were analysed and the effect of a forced change of breeding site on mate retention (1991-1993) examined. Although kittiwakes in 1991 were prevented from returning to nest sites of the previous breeding season, 73% of females and 60% of males that bred elsewhere retained their mates of the previous breeding season. Of kittiwakes that moved to other colonies in 1992, 42% of breeding females and 30% of males retained their mates of the previous breeding season. Over the period 1954-1990, 92% of females and 80% of males that used the same nest sites in the following year retained their mates but 100 pairs that changed nest sites still re-formed the pair bond of the previous breeding season. A model predicted that the probability of retaining the same mate by chance within the warehouse colony should decrease progressively with distance moved from the previous nest site. Mate retention decreased sharply if a bird moved 0·3m to a nest site immediately adjacent to the previous site but, in contrast to the model, did not show a further significant decrease with increasing distance. In the 1991-1993 study, some birds that changed nest sites and moved to a different colony still retained their mates. Therefore, the annual re-forming of the same pair did not result from nest site tenacity as birds were prevented from returning to former nest sites. This implies that birds recognize each other as individuals and possibly move as a pair. Such behaviour has important implications for lifetime reproductive success, as birds that retain their mates from the previous breeding season typically fledge more young than birds that change mates.

Nest-site fidelity in a centrarchid fish, the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui)

Individual nesting male smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in Lake Opeongo, Ontario, were followed for 11 years to determine the degree of nest-site fidelity from one year to the next. Only data from males nesting for the first and second time in consecutive years were included. The data indicate that 21.4% of all first-time nesting males returned to nest the following year. Nesting males rarely skipped a year after their 1st year of nesting. There was a strong tendency for males to return close (<20 m) to their previous year's nest site. Approximately 81 % renested within 200 m of their previous nest site, while the remainder nested between 200 and 1200 m from their previous nest site. This is the first report of nest-site fidelity for individual fish and is similar to published accounts of nest fidelity in birds.

Habitat use and foraging behaviour of urban merlins(Falco columbarius)in winter

Habitat use and foraging behaviour of resident merlins(Falco columbarius)wintering in Saskatoon, Canada, were studied over a five‐year period. Birds were trapped through the winter and selected individuals fitted with radio transmitters to monitor continously their location, movements and activities from roost departure until re‐entry. Merlins maintained individual home ranges in winter, with extensive overlap between neighbouring birds in some cases. Yearling home ranges were not significantly different in size from those of adults. The winter home ranges of adults were closely associated with their previous nest site. Both adults and yearlings made significantly greater use of Residential habitat in the city than expected based on the area available in their home ranges. However, while adults remained largely in the two oldest habitat types, yearlings were also found in more recently built areas of the city. Home ranges held within the city were sometimes combined with foraging areas in the adjacent countryside. The use of foraging areas in farmyards and cattle feedlots outside of the city was most notable in adults, although some yearlings apparently learned this strategy in their first year. Merlins also used Commercial‐Industrial habitat for hunting at levels much higher than expected from its availability in their home ranges. Diets in summer and winter had a high degree of overlap; house sparrows(Passer domesticus)and bohemian waxwings(Bombycilla garrulus)made up a large proportion of the diet during both seasons. Hunting activity peaked at 09:00 and 16:00 h, reflecting the replenishment of energy stores lost over‐night, and the storage of energy in preparation for the next over‐night fast.

Nest Site Selection in Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita) in Puerto Rico

Nest Site Selection in Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita) in Puerto Rico

Nest-Site Tenacity and Patterns of Adult Mortality in Nesting California Gulls (Larus californicus)

Mortality among breeding adult California Gulls (Larus californicus) was low and spread throughout the breeding season in five years of a six-year study. In one year, nesting habitat decreased by 65%, mortality was 3-11 times higher and was concentrated during the period of intense territorial defense. Apparently, some displaced gulls that attempted to reclaim territories near their previous nest sites encountered resistance from territory holders. This resulted in death from trauma, especially among relatively small birds. In general there was a tendency for deaths among females to predominate in the first half of the breeding season and among males, in the latter half. Unlike the situation in British Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus), I found no indication of increasing adult mortality at the end of the nesting season.

Philopatry, Site Tenacity, and Mate Fidelity in the Semipalmated Sandpiper

Philopatry, site tenacity, and mate fidelity were examined in a 5-yr study of a population of male-territorial, monogamous Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) breed- ing at La Perouse Bay, near Churchill, Manitoba. There was no sex bias in natal philopatry and no significant difference in adult philopatry, although males tended to return to the breeding area at higher frequencies than females. However, males nested significantly closer to previous nests than did females. Pairs that had reunited did not move as far from their previous nest site as birds that had changed mates, and this effect was more pronounced in females. Birds that had nested successfully the previous year returned at higher rates than those that had been unsuccessful. However, there was no significant difference in distance moved from a previously successful vs. unsuccessful nest. There also was no significant difference in site tenacity when distances one and two years or two and three years apart were compared. However, nest distances increased significantly when three years had elapsed between utilization of sites. Each year approximately 50% of the marked birds in the study area had reunited with their mate of the previous year. If both members of the pair returned, close to 80% remained paired. There was no tendency for birds that had divorced to have been less successful nesters in the previous year, compared to pairs that had reunited. Subsequent nesting success was not significantly different between birds that had changed or retained mates. However, in 1 of 4 yr, nests of pairs that had changed mates hatched significantly later than did those of remated pairs. Received 23 April 1984, accepted 4 October 1984. IN recent years a number of authors have dis- cussed the influence of social structure and mating system on philopatry and dispersal. Gauthreaux (1978) proposed that dominance hierarchies in a population could explain dif- ferential dispersal and migration between the sexes, as well as among age groups. Greenwood (1980), however, refuted Gauthreaux's hypoth- esis with respect to differential sex dispersal. Greenwood noted that while males are domi- nant to females in most mammals, mammals rarely show female-biased dispersal. He sug- gested that the direction of the sex bias in dis- persal could be predicted from the mating sys- tem. In a resource-defense (territorial) system, the sex that defends the resource would be ex- pected to be more philopatric. This assumes that acquisition and/or maintenance of a breeding territory, for example, would be facilitated by familiarity with the area. Dispersal of one sex relative to the other is thought to be related to the level of genetic similarity between poten- tial mates insofar as no dispersal may present a loss in breeding success due to inbreeding, but too much dispersal may lead to genetic in- compatibility (Shields 1983). Factors other than gender also may have an effect on adult philopatry and site tenacity. These include mate change (Wilcox 1959), pre- vious breeding success (Oring and Lank 1982, Oring et al. 1983), and number of years elapsed between nest sites.

Nest site selection and survivorship of Dolichovespula arenaria and Dolichovespula maculata (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Recurrence of Dolichovespula nests in previous nest site areas was high. Searches for nests in successive years will be more efficient if confined to these areas. Dolichovespula arenaria queens were as likely to build on or near old D. maculata sites as on old D. arenaria sites. Dolichovespula maculata queens favoured sites not used previously by D. arenaria. Dolichovespula arenaria may be less selective than D. maculata in choosing nest sites. Dolichovespula arenaria can successfully usurp colonies of D. maculata. Weather-related bird predation is a major contributor to the mortality of young Dolichovespula colonies. Cool, damp June weather increases the incidence of successful bird predation. Dolichovespula arenaria will kill and remove D. arctica from its nest, and at least two D. arctica queens will cohabit a colony of D. arenaria, suggesting there is less intraspecific aggression in D. arctica than previously reported.

Dispersal between Nest-Sites by Stonechats Saxicola torquata in Relation to Previous Breeding Success

Distances between nest-sites used successively within a breeding season were measured in a population of Stonechats. The frequencies and consequences of dispersing different distances were examined in relation to previous nesting success. Nestpredation tended to be greatest after moving far from the previous nest site, and was no higher after predation on the previous nest, but was low if many young had fledged. Nestling growth was significantly better at greater distances from the previous nest, if young had fledged from it. Birds moved farther, and were more likely to use different vegetation in which to nest, after previous predation than if success had been low for other reasons. After escaping predators, they moved farther, and were more likely to change vegetation, if more young had fledged from the previous nest. These results imply that birds adjust the placement of nests according to previous success, though great variation in dispersal distance remained unexplained by these tactics.

Dispersal Capacity of the Dusky-Footed Woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes

Fifty-eight individuals of Neotoma fuscipes were displaced an average of 1127 meters. The average distance moved by the 28 recovered animals from the release site was 885 meters. Approximately half of the recovered animals moved in a direction away from their previous nest sites. No evidence of homing was found. The highest rate of movement recorded was 1600 meters in five nights.