Nest-site characteristics and breeding success of three species of boreal songbirds in western Newfoundland, Canada

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
pp. 1203-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate L. Dalley ◽  
Philip D. Taylor ◽  
Dave Shutler
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Zonotrichia Albicollis ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Vegetation Characteristics ◽  
Dendroica Striata

Delineating habitat requirements and preferences of species is essential for conservation planning. We studied nest habitat use and effects of microsite vegetation characteristics on breeding success of yellow-rumped warblers ( Dendroica coronata (L., 1766)), blackpoll warblers ( Dendroica striata (J.R. Forster, 1772)), and white-throated sparrows ( Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin, 1789)) in an area with a low extent (<6% of available land) of forest harvest in northwestern Newfoundland. During 2004 and 2005, 99 nests were located and monitored, and the characteristics of nest sites measured. Vegetation at yellow-rumped and blackpoll warbler nest sites differed from random sites; however, within used sites, no vegetation characteristics were significantly associated with success. White-throated sparrow nest sites contained more downed wood and less ground vegetation than did random sites; however, successful nests were associated with different variables than those that distinguished them from random sites, including less canopy cover and less woody debris. Thus, whereas yellow-rumped and blackpoll warblers used specific nest-site characteristics and white-throated sparrows had higher nest success associated with certain characteristics, the nest characteristics these birds appeared to choose did not have demonstrable fitness benefits.

Nest-site selection in the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica: What predicts seasonal reproductive success?

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 1533-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Jo Safran
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics

Despite hundreds of studies, we know very little about the causes and fitness-related consequences of nest-site selection. For example, it is not typically known whether the rarely reported fitness consequences of site selection are the result of nest, individual, or nest-site variables or combinations of these factors. Reuse of previously constructed nest sites is a prevalent behavior in many animals and offers the opportunity to experimentally tease apart whether seasonal reproductive success is a function of nest, individual, or nest-site characteristics. I used observational and experimental data to test three hypotheses related to these factors in association with barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica L., 1758) nest reuse. While both nest and individual characteristics explain variation in seasonal reproductive success, nest location per se is not an important factor defining the outcome of nest-site selection. Whereas traits related to habitat and individual characteristics are likely confounded in correlational studies, my experiments demonstrate a causal relationship between seasonal reproductive success and aspects of the nest and individual, the latter explaining more variation in the model than nest characteristics. Knowledge of the relative roles of individual, nest, and nest-site attributes are important for understanding the causes and consequences of habitat selection behavior.

Nest-Site Fidelity in Griffon Vultures: A Case of Win–Stay/Lose–Shift?

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Freund ◽  
Ofer Bahat ◽  
Uzi Motro
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Nest Site Fidelity ◽  
Breeding Attempt ◽  
Shift Strategy

We studied the use of nest-sites by Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) and the breeding success in these sites during 1998–2002 in Gamla Nature Reserve (Israel). Nest-sites in which a breeding attempt succeeded in fledging a young, were more likely to be occupied by nesting vultures in the following breeding season, than nest-sites that experienced a failure. This suggests that Griffon Vultures in Gamla used a Win–Stay/Lose–Shift strategy regarding nest-site fidelity.

Breeding Success of Southern Grey ShrikesLanius meridionalisin Agricultural Areas: The Influence of Nest Site Characteristics

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Campos ◽  
Tomás Santamaría ◽  
Francisco Gutiérrez-Corchero ◽  
M. Ángeles Hernández ◽  
Pedro Mas
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Agricultural Areas

scholarly journals Renesting Decisions and Annual Fecundity of Female Dickcissels (Spiza Americana) in Illinois

The Auk ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 1250-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery W. Walk ◽  
Kevin Wentworth ◽  
Eric L. Kershner ◽  
Eric K. Bollinger ◽  
Richard E. Warner
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Nest Failure ◽  
Spiza Americana ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract Renesting decisions and annual fecundity are crucial for interpreting other demographic information, yet are infrequently reported. We used radiotelemetry to monitor female Dickcissels (Spiza americana) throughout the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons in southeastern Illinois. Overall fecundity (regardless of whether females remained in the study area throughout the breeding season) was 0.61 ± 0.13 female fledglings per year. Of females that remained within the study area, 94% fledged young (1.25 ± 0.15 female fledglings per year). Most females (62%) that experienced nest failure emigrated from the study area (moved >10 km) in 2.8 ± 0.6 days; others (36%) initiated subsequent nests in 8.5 ± 0.8 days. After fledging ≥1 young, 95% of females ceased breeding for the season. Successful and failed nest sites were indistinguishable on the basis of vegetative characteristics. Moreover, replacement nests had similar vegetative characteristics and were similar distances from habitat edges, compared with initial nests, which suggests that female Dickcissels do not or cannot “improve” nest-site characteristics in response to nest failure. We observed two behaviors unusual in female Dickcissels: one bird that fledged two broods in one season, and the return of five females banded in 1999 to the study site in 2000.

Nests built on power lines: Nest-site selection by long-tailed broadbills (Psarisomus dalhousiae) in Nonggang of Guangxi, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Bo Zhou ◽  
Changzhang Feng ◽  
Wei Liang
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Selection Of

The quality of breeding habitat may directly affect the survival and development of progeny. Therefore, the selection of a suitable nest-site is an important factor affecting the reproductive success of birds. The most important reason for a bird’s reproductive failure is nest predation. Predation may cause birds to change their nest-sites and even nest morphology. Here we investigated the nest-site characteristics by long-tailed broadbills ( Psarisomus dalhousiae) in Nonggang, Guangxi, southwestern China. Our results showed that long-tailed broadbills in Nonggang mainly build their nests on power lines (88.5%) and nest-site selection was mainly affected by predation pressure and food resources. At the same time, nest-site concealment was trade-off against predator avoidance. This anti-predator strategy effectively utilizes human infrastructure.

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