Are avian ectoparasites more numerous in nest boxes with old nest material?

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1819-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace B. Rendell ◽  
Nicolaas A. M. Verbeek
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Winter Survival ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Ornithonyssus Sylviarum ◽  
Nest Microclimate ◽  
One Year

Researchers may reduce the numbers of haematophagous ectoparasites in nest boxes of cavity-nesting birds by removing old nests from boxes and, as a result, eliminate an important selective pressure that could influence the results from nest-box studies of birds. We recorded the numbers of parasites in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) boxes in which we manipulated the presence, amount, and quality of old nests. Bird fleas (Ceratophyllus idius) were more numerous in boxes with old nests, and there was a positive correlation between nest volume and flea numbers. In one year, there was a positive association between fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) numbers and nest volume; otherwise, fowl mites and blow flies (Protocalliphora sialia) were equally numerous in all nest types. We conclude that ectoparasites whose over-winter survival depends on old nests are more numerous in boxes with old nests, whereas parasites whose over-winter survival is independent of old nests infect nest sites randomly. Also, reinfection and nest microclimate likely contributed to variance in parasite numbers between nest types and years, respectively. We recommend caution when speculating about the possible effects of cleaning boxes on parasites that occur in nests because different species of parasites are not influenced similarly by old nests.

scholarly journals Nest decoration: birds exploit a fear of feathers to guard their nest from usurpation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Slagsvold ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Tree Swallow ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Structural Support ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Nest Usurpation ◽  
Nest Materials

Many species of birds incorporate feathers into their nest as structural support and to insulate the eggs or offspring. Here, we investigated the novel idea that birds reduce the risk of nest usurpation by decorating it with feathers to trigger a fear response in their rivals. We let prospecting birds choose between a dyad of nest-boxes in the wild, both containing some nest materials, but where one had a few white feathers and the other had none. All three species of cavity-nesting birds studied, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca , the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus , and the tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor , hesitated to enter boxes with white feathers. A similar avoidance of white feathers was found when the alternative nest-box of a dyad held black feathers. However, the birds readily collected white feathers that we placed in front of their nest-box, showing the fear of such feathers was context-dependent. We suggest that naive prospecting birds may perceive feathers in nests as the result of a predation event, and that owners decorate nests with bright feathers that can be seen from the opening to deter others from entering.

scholarly journals Surplus nest boxes and the potential for polygyny affect clutch size and offspring sex ratio in house wrens

2006 ◽  
Vol 273 (1595) ◽  
pp. 1751-1757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie S Dubois ◽  
E Dale Kennedy ◽  
Thomas Getty
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
House Wrens ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Offspring Sex ◽  
Investment In Reproduction ◽  
Male House

Females of many species can gain benefits from being choosy about their mates and even exhibit context-dependent investment in reproduction in response to the quality of their breeding situation. Here, we show that if a male house wren is provided with surplus nest boxes in his territory, his mate lays a larger clutch with a significantly higher proportion of sons. This response to a territory characteristic directly associated with male competitive ability, and ultimately to male reproductive success, suggests that male competition over access to high-quality territories with surplus nest boxes (i.e. those able to support polygyny) may influence female reproductive investment decisions. The results of this study have interesting implications, particularly considering the important role that studies of cavity nesting birds utilizing nest boxes have played in advancing our understanding of behaviour, ecology and evolution.

A comparison of the breeding ecology of a secondary cavity nesting bird, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), in nest boxes and natural cavities

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raleigh J. Robertson ◽  
Wallace B. Rendell
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Second Year

Several studies concerned with mate choice, reproductive performance, and life history strategies have been conducted with secondary cavity nesting birds breeding in nest boxes. Although the need for comparative studies has been recognized, populations breeding in nest boxes often have not been compared with those breeding in natural cavities. We compared the ecology of Tree Swallows breeding in nest boxes and natural cavities to determine if nest box populations of Tree Swallows are accurate models of natural populations. Two nest site characteristics, nest site dispersion and cavity height, were similar for birds in both nesting environments. Greater cavity entrance area at natural cavities resulted in increased interspecific competition in natural populations, involving larger competitors, more species, and a greater abundance of each species. Clutch size was smaller in natural cavities compared with nest boxes, likely because floor area was smaller in natural cavities. Fledging success did not differ between populations. Disproportionately more after-second-year females bred in nest boxes, and more second-year females bred in natural cavities, as estimated by a model of Tree Swallow survivorship. Tree Swallows settle at nest boxes before natural cavities in our study area, perhaps as a result of the greater potential for reproductive success and reduced interspecific competition in the nest boxes as opposed to natural cavities. For some aspects of the ecology of secondary cavity nesters, nest boxes do not provide an accurate representation of natural populations. Therefore, evolutionary interpretations of nest box studies should be compared with observations of birds in natural environments.

scholarly journals Effects of parental and nest-site characteristics on nestling quality in the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilsa A. Griebel ◽  
Graham D. Fairhurst ◽  
Tracy A. Marchant ◽  
Robert G. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Quaking Aspen ◽  
Natal Nest ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Nest Microclimate

Natal environment and parental quality can influence offspring phenotype, including physiological and morphological traits. We investigated how offspring morphology and feather corticosterone (CORTf; a physiological index of allostatic load) may be related to nest environment and parental characteristics by cross-fostering 3-day-old nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) between quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and plywood nest boxes that differed in microclimate. We evaluated the relative importance of natal influences, common rearing environment, and nest-box environment on nestling quality. Nestlings raised in quaking aspen boxes tended to have lower CORTf, although this result only approached significance. Nestling body mass was best predicted by the biological mother’s mass and random effects of natal and rearing nest identity, wing length was best predicted by random effects of rearing nest, and head–bill length was best predicted by random effects of natal nest. Therefore, nest microclimate was more important than maternal characteristics in predicting nestling physiology (CORTf), while nestling morphology was influenced by maternal morphology, as well as natal and rearing nest environments. Our study provides important information about how environmental and parental influences affect nestling phenotype and will help future studies interpret similar morphological and physiological indices of nestling quality.

Perceived Overprotection and Its Association With Quality of Life in Dementia

GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
Mechthild Niemann-Mirmehdi ◽  
Andreas Häusler ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Johanna Nordheim
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Autonomy ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Mental Well Being

Abstract. To date, few studies have focused on perceived overprotection from the perspective of people with dementia (PwD). In the present examination, the association of perceived overprotection in PwD is examined as an autonomy-restricting factor and thus negative for their mental well-being. Cross-sectional data from the prospective DYADEM study of 82 patient/partner dyads (mean age = 74.26) were used to investigate the association between overprotection, perceived stress, depression, and quality of life (QoL). The analyses show that an overprotective contact style with PwD has a significant positive association with stress and depression, and has a negative association with QoL. The results emphasize the importance of avoiding an overprotective care style and supporting patient autonomy.

Analisis Benchmarking Terhadap Kinerja Perusahaan Kontraktor Di Dinas Pupr Kota Blitar

REVITALISASI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Dessy Kusuma Wardani ◽  
Edy Swasono
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Community Satisfaction ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Acquisition Rate ◽  
One Year ◽  
Construction Product

This study aims to identify the dominant factors of the successful implementation of benchmarking on the performance of contracting companies and test the significance of the application of benchmarking on the performance of contracting companies. The research sample was saturated samples of 65 qualified contractor companies. The method and type of research used were correlational methods of multiple regression analysis using SPPS. The results of the study concluded that 1.Benchmarking significantly influences the performance of contracting companies in the Blitar City DPUPR; 1. The ranking of success factors for the Blitar City contractor companies in the process of implementing benchmarking (1) planning, (2) data collection, (3) acception and action and (4) analysis; 2.Benchmarking has proven to significantly improve company performance as measured by increasing (1) Corporate Finance (2) Company productivity, (3) DPUPR Consumer Satisfaction, (4) Community Satisfaction, (5) Quality of the company's construction technical personnel, (6) Satisfaction employee work, (7) Project acquisition rate in one year, (8) Effective completion of construction work, (9) Construction product quality.

Health-related quality of life one year after surgical treatment of the type I chronic aortic dissection

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Kamenskaya ◽  
Asya Klinkova ◽  
Irina Loginova ◽  
Alexander Chernyavskiy ◽  
Dmitry Sirota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Type I ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Chronic Aortic Dissection ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
One Year
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document