Clutch Size and Nest Survival of Cackling Geese in a Lesser Snow and Ross's Goose Colony

Waterbirds ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana K. Kellett ◽  
Ray T. Alisauskas
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Cackling Geese ◽  
Ross's Goose

Nest Survival and Density of Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii) Inside and Outside a Ross's Goose (Chen Rossii) Colony

The Auk ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank B. Baldwin ◽  
Ray T. Alisauskas ◽  
James O. Leafloor
Keyword(s):  
Nest Survival ◽  
Chen Rossii ◽  
Cackling Geese ◽  
Ross's Goose

scholarly journals How Many Baskets? Clutch Sizes That Maximize Annual Fecundity of Multiple-Brooded Birds

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
George L. Farnsworth ◽  
Theodore R. Simons ◽  
J. Brawn
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Season Length ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Theoretical Issues

Abstract We developed deterministic models on the basis of nest survival rates and renesting behavior capable of predicting annual fecundity in birds. The models calculate probabilities of fledging from one to four nests within a discrete breeding season. We used those models to address theoretical issues related to clutch size. In general, birds require at least one day to lay an egg, and many species delay incubation until their entire clutch is laid. Because it takes longer to complete a larger clutch, and fewer such clutches can fit into a limited breeding season, there exists a clutch size for which annual fecundity is maximized. We asked, for a given amount of reproductive effort (i.e. a set number of eggs), does the age-old maxim “don't put all your eggs in one basket” apply? If so, in how many “baskets” should a nesting bird place its eggs? The answer depends on both likelihood of nest predation and length of the breeding season. Those results are consistent with the observed increase in clutch size with latitude (shorter breeding season length) and larger clutch sizes characteristic of cavity-nesting species (with higher nest survival rates). The models also predict that the size of replacement clutches should decrease as the breeding season progresses, and that intraseasonal decline in clutch size should be more pronounced when the breeding season is short.

scholarly journals The allocation between egg size and clutch size depends on local nest survival rate in a mean of bet-hedging in a shorebird

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zitan Song ◽  
Xin Lin ◽  
Pinjia Que ◽  
Naerhulan Halimubieke ◽  
Qin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Offspring Size ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Allocation Of Resources ◽  
Bet Hedging

Abstract Background The allocation of resources between offspring size and number is a central question of life-history theory. Although several studies have tested the existence of this trade-off, few studies have investigated how environmental variation influences the allocation of resources to offspring size and offspring number. Additionally, the relationship between population dynamics and the offspring size and number allocation is far less understood. Methods We investigate whether resource allocation between egg size and clutch size is influenced by the ambient temperature and whether it may be related to apparent nest survival rate. We measured 1548 eggs from 541 nests of two closely related shorebird species, the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and the White-faced Plover (C. dealbatus) in China, in four populations that exhibit contrasting ambient environments. We weighed females, monitored nest survival, and calculated the variance of ambient temperature. Results Although we found that egg size and clutch size were all different between the four breeding populations, the reproductive investment (i.e. total clutch volume) was similar between populations. We also found that populations with a high survival rate had relatively larger eggs and a smaller clutch than populations with a low nest survival rate. The latter result is in line with a conservative/diversified bet-hedging strategy. Conclusions Our findings suggest that plovers may increasing fitness by investing fewer, larger or many, small according local nest survival rate to make a similar investment in reproduction, and thereby may have an impact on population demography.

scholarly journals Impact of Brood Parasitism on Nest Survival Parameters and Seasonal Fecundity of Six Songbird Species in Southeastern Old-Field Habitat

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 946-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Whitehead ◽  
Sara H. Schweitzer ◽  
William Post
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Brood Reduction ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Seasonal Fecundity

Abstract We monitored 259 nests of six Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) hosts within old-field habitat on James Island, South Carolina during the 1997 and 1998 breeding seasons to determine the effect of parasitism on three nest-survival parameters (clutch size, hatching rate, and number of fledglings). We determined daily predation and parasitism rates, and probability of nest abandonment after parasitism to derive an estimate of seasonal fecundity. Clutch size of parasitized nests was reduced in four host species. Brood parasitism did not affect hatching rate in any species, and reduced the number of fledglings from only Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea) nests. Despite brood reduction during the nesting cycle, cowbird parasitism had little impact on seasonal fecundity of these host species because of low parasitism intensity, double-brooding behavior, and hosts' ability to raise their own young with cowbird young.

Effects of cyclic food supply on breeding performance in Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus)

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 522-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birger Hörnfeldt ◽  
Bengt-Göran Carlsson ◽  
Ola Löfgren ◽  
Ulf Eklund
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Clethrionomys Glareolus ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Aegolius Funereus ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Tengmalm's Owl

Cyclic populations of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), grey-sided voles (Clethrionomys rufocanus), and field voles (Microtus agrestis) made up > 90% of the diet of Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) in northern Sweden during the breeding seasons of 1980–1986. These voles also made up > 90% of snap-trapped small mammals in the study area. Comparisons of the species composition in the diet during laying with that of animals trapped indicated that bank voles were usually taken approximately in proportion to their relative abundance, whereas field voles were frequently taken more and grey-sided voles less than expected from their relative abundance. However, bank voles predominated in the diet during laying early in the season (snow depth > 40 cm). Later in the season (snow depth ≤ 40 cm) the porportion of field voles and grey-sided voles increased during laying, suggesting increased availability of these species as the snow melted. Breeding density (percentage of nest boxes with ≥ 1 egg) showed a positive correlation whereas laying date showed a negative correlation with food supply in autumn. In contrast, clutch size, number of fledglings per successful nest, and an index of the annual production of fledglings showed positive correlations with food supply in spring. Clutch size declined with season but at different levels in different years, and laying date per se only explained 11% of clutch size variation among years. In contrast, the "year effect" (related to food supply) explained 29% of the variation in clutch size. Clutches were even larger at later laying dates (when, however, the food supply was better) in 1984 than in 1985. Nest survival and survival per egg (until fledging) in successful nests varied over the years, but did not covary with the cyclic food supply. However, the lowest nest survival was found in a year when voles declined dramatically over winter. Egg size did not show any variation among years.

Age and clutch size variation in Dusky Flycatcher nest survival

2008 ◽  
Vol 150 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Kroll ◽  
Jonathan B. Haufler
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Dusky Flycatcher

scholarly journals Impact of Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism on the reproductive success of the globally endangered Yellow CardinalGubernatrix cristata

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARISOL DOMÍNGUEZ ◽  
JUAN CARLOS REBOREDA ◽  
BETTINA MAHLER
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Chick Survival ◽  
Molothrus Bonariensis ◽  
North East ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThe Yellow CardinalGubernatrix cristatais a globally endangered passerine endemic to southern South America. Although the conservation status of this species is alarming, there is no information about factors that affect its reproductive success. We studied the breeding biology of a Yellow Cardinal population in Corrientes province in north-east Argentina and report reproductive parameters, such as timing of breeding, clutch size, hatching success and chick survival and analyse factors influencing nest survival. The breeding season lasted from October to December with most nesting attempts occurring during the second half of November. Re-nesting after nest failure occurred in approximately 35% of pairs but we did not observe re-nesting after successful attempts. Modal clutch size was three eggs and successful nests fledged on average 1.6 chicks. We observed brood parasitism by Shiny CowbirdsMolothrus bonariensisin 33% of the nests. The main cost of brood parasitism was the puncture of cardinal eggs by cowbird females, which very often resulted in nest abandonment. Another factor reducing reproductive success was parasitism by botfliesPhilornissp., which occurred in 22% of the nests and reduced chick survival. We determined daily nest survival rate with MARK software and found that during the egg stage, it decreased with time of breeding and brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds. Our results indicate that Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism represent a threat for Yellow Cardinals. Conservation actions to protect the remaining populations of Yellow Cardinals should consider the impact of Shiny Cowbird parasitism.

scholarly journals Hooded Warbler Nesting Success Adjacent to Group-Selection and Clearcut Edges in a Southeastern Bottomland Forest

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Moorman ◽  
David C. Guynn Jr. ◽  
John C. Kilgo
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Molothrus Ater ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Edge Type ◽  
Wilsonia Citrina ◽  
Arundinaria Gigantea ◽  
Bottomland Forest

Abstract During the 1996, 1997, and 1998 breeding seasons, we located and monitored Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina) nests in a bottomland forest and examined the effects of edge proximity, edge type, and nest-site vegetation on nesting success. Successful Hooded Warbler nests were more concealed from below and were located in nest patches with a greater abundance of >0.5-m-tall switchcane (Arundinaria gigantea) stems than unsuccessful nests. Daily nest survival rates, clutch size, and number of fledglings per successful nest did not differ between nests near edges of selection-harvest openings within the bottomland and nests near edges of clearcuts adjacent to the bottomland. Daily survival rate, clutch size, and number of fledglings per successful nest did not differ among nests 0–50 m, 51–100 m, and >100 m from the nearest edge, and probability of nest survival was not related to proximity to either edge type. However, probability of parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) was higher near clearcut edges, and parasitism reduced clutch size and numbers of fledglings per successful nest. The combined effects of edge, especially edge created by the relatively small (≤0.5 ha) group-selection openings, on Hooded Warbler nesting success were minimal. However, our study was conducted in a primarily forested landscape, so cowbird abundance or negative edge effects may have been low relative to agricultural landscapes in the South. Éxito de Anidación de Wilsonia citrina en Sitios Adyacentes a Bordes de Claros Formados por Extracción de Árboles Seleccionados y por Tala Rasa en Bosques Ribereños del Sureste Resumen. Durante las épocas reproductivas de 1996, 1997 y 1998, ubicamos y monitoreamos nidos de Wilsonia citrina en un bosque de ribereño y evaluamos los efectos de la proximidad al borde, el tipo de borde y la vegetación del sitio de anidación sobre el éxito reproductivo. Los nidos exitosos estuvieron más escondidos desde abajo y se ubicaron en parches de bosque con una mayor abundancia de tallos de Arundinaria gigantea de más de 0.5 m de alto que los nidos no exitosos. Las tasas de supervivencia diaria de los nidos, el tamaño de la nidada y el número de polluelos emplumados por nido exitoso no difirieron entre nidos ubicados cerca de bordes de aperturas de cosecha selectiva dentro del valle ribereño y nidos cerca de bordes de sitios completamente talados adyacentes al valle. La tasa de supervivencia diaria, el tamaño de la nidada y el número de polluelos emplumados por nido exitoso no difirió entre nidos ubicados a 0–50 m, 51–100 m y >100 m del borde más cercano, y la probabilidad de supervivencia de los nidos no estuvo relacionada con la proximidad a ningún tipo de borde. Sin embargo, la probabilidad de parasitismo por Molothrus ater fue mayor cerca de bordes de tala rasa, y el parasitismo redujo el tamaño de la nidada y el número de polluelos emplumados por nido exitoso. Los efectos combinados de borde sobre el éxito de anidación de W. citrina fueron mínimos, especialmente aquellos de los bordes creados por los claros relativamente pequeños (≤0.5 ha) formados tras extraer grupos de árboles seleccionados. Sin embargo, nuestro estudio fue realizado en un paisaje principalmente forestal, de modo que la abundancia de M. ater o los efectos de borde negativos pueden haber sido menores en relación a paisajes agrícolas del sur.

Development of Microsatellite Loci Exhibiting Reverse Ascertainment Bias and a Sexing Marker for use in Emperor Geese (Chen Canagica)

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meg C. Gravley ◽  
George K. Sage ◽  
Joel A. Schmutz ◽  
Sandra L. Talbot
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Ascertainment Bias ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Technology ◽  
Branta Bernicla ◽  
Black Brant ◽  
Expected Heterozygosity ◽  
Cackling Geese ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Goose Species

The Alaskan population of Emperor Geese ( Chen canagica) nests on the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska. Numbers of Emperor Geese in Alaska declined from the 1960s to the mid-1980s and since then, their numbers have slowly increased. Low statistical power of microsatellite loci developed in other waterfowl species and used in previous studies of Emperor Geese are unable to confidently assign individual identity. Microsatellite loci for Emperor Goose were therefore developed using shotgun amplification and next-generation sequencing technology. Forty-one microsatellite loci were screened and 14 were found to be polymorphic in Emperor Geese. Only six markers – a combination of four novel loci and two loci developed in other waterfowl species – are needed to identify an individual from among the Alaskan Emperor Goose population. Genetic markers for identifying sex in Emperor Geese were also developed. The 14 novel variable loci and 15 monomorphic loci were screened for polymorphism in four other Arctic-nesting goose species, Black Brant ( Branta bernicla nigricans), Greater White-fronted ( Anser albifrons), Canada ( B. canadensis) and Cackling ( B. hutchinsii) Goose. Emperor Goose exhibited the smallest average number of alleles (3.3) and the lowest expected heterozygosity (0.467). Greater White-fronted Geese exhibited the highest average number of alleles (4.7) and Cackling Geese the highest expected heterozygosity (0.599). Six of the monomorphic loci were variable and able to be characterised in the other goose species assayed, a predicted outcome of reverse ascertainment bias. These findings fail to support the hypothesis of ascertainment bias due to selection of microsatellite markers.

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