Variation in immune function, body condition, and feather corticosterone in nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on reclaimed wetlands in the Athabasca oil sands, Alberta, Canada

2010 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 841-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Jane Harms ◽  
Graham D. Fairhurst ◽  
Gary R. Bortolotti ◽  
Judit. E.G. Smits
Keyword(s):  
Immune Function ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Athabasca Oil Sands ◽  
Feather Corticosterone

scholarly journals TREE SWALLOWS (TACHYCINETA BICOLOR) NESTING ON WETLANDS IMPACTED BY OIL SANDS MINING ARE HIGHLY PARASITIZED BY THE BIRD BLOW FLY PROTOCALLIPHORA SPP.

2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Line Gentes ◽  
Terry L. Whitworth ◽  
Cheryl Waldner ◽  
Heather Fenton ◽  
Judit E. Smits
Keyword(s):  
Oil Sands ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Oil Sands Mining

scholarly journals Effects of Food Abundance, Weather, and Female Condition on Reproduction in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor)

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1225-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline K. Nooker ◽  
Peter O. Dunn ◽  
Linda A. Whittingham
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Food Abundance ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Female Condition ◽  
Incubation Periods ◽  
Feather Clipping

AbstractFood abundance, weather, and female body condition are believed to influence the timing of breeding and reproductive performance of birds. We simultaneously studied the effects of weather and food abundance on reproduction in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) while experimentally reducing female condition and foraging efficiency by clipping some flight feathers prior to egg laying. Control females laid larger clutches earlier in the season, had longer incubation periods, and raised heavier nestlings than experimental females. Fledging success did not differ after controlling for laying date and brood size. Greater insect abundance was associated with laying earlier in the season, heavier eggs, and shorter incubation periods. Most likely, feather-clipping affected clutch size through reduced foraging efficiency, which delayed the date of laying, rather than through loss of body condition. This outcome is consistent with the idea that Tree Swallows are “income” breeders that base their timing of reproduction on short-term rates of food intake near the time of breeding. Contrary to studies of other species, Tree Swallows do not appear to time their laying so that hatching will coincide with seasonal peaks in food supply. Rather, they appear to breed when temperature and food abundance are sufficient to allow females of a given body condition to initiate egg laying.Efectos de la Abundancia de Alimento, del Clima y de la Condición de las Hembras sobre la Reproducción en Tachycineta bicolor

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nest success and nestling growth near oil sands mining operations in northeastern Alberta, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 547-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Godwin ◽  
Robert M.R. Barclay ◽  
Judit E.G. Smits
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Nest Success ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Contaminant Exposure ◽  
Nestling Growth

Industrial development and contaminant exposure may affect reproductive success and food quality for birds. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) nesting near oil sands development in northern Alberta (Canada) potentially experience elevated environmental stressors that could influence reproduction. We measured reproductive and growth endpoints in Tree Swallows, predicting reduced reproductive success and nestling growth near oil sands operations compared with reference sites. We also identified the invertebrate prey in the stomach contents of nestlings to understand variability in the diet and its potential effect on growth and survival of nestlings. From 2012 to 2015, clutch initiation varied among years but was not influenced by proximity to oil sands operations. Hatching and fledging success decreased in response to increased precipitation, regardless of location. Measurements of nestling growth reflected the variation associated with nestling sex and possibly asynchronous hatching. The composition of the nestling diet was significantly different; birds near oil sands development consumed Odonata, whereas birds at reference sites consumed Ephemeroptera. Nestlings from all sites consumed relatively high quantities of terrestrial insects. Our results demonstrate that factors such as weather conditions, diet, hatching order, and nestling sex are important when interpreting the potential effects of oil sands development on nest success and nestling growth.

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