Nest Predation and Its Relationship to Habitat and Nest Density in Dickcissels

The Condor ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Nest Density

Species-specific nest predation depends on the total passerine nest density in open-nesting passerines

2017 ◽  
Vol 159 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Shitikov ◽  
Tatiana Vaytina ◽  
Tatiana Makarova ◽  
Svetlana Fedotova ◽  
Vera Volkova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Species Specific

The Influence of Nest Density on Nest Predation in Olive Groves Depends on Habitat Features

Ardeola ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Antonio J. Carpio ◽  
J. C. Castro-Caro ◽  
F. S. Tortosa
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Olive Groves

Is nest predation density dependent? A test using artificial nests

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 2498-2500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Reitsma
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Hardwood Forest ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forest ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Natural Nest

Experiments using artificial nests to test whether predation varies with nest density were conducted in a northern hardwood forest in New Hampshire in June 1989. Nests were baited with quail eggs and placed at densities similar to and substantially higher than the range of natural nest densities. There was no statistically significant difference in predation levels among densities, but there was a trend for higher predation at the highest density.

Density-dependent nest predation in waterfowl: the relative importance of nest density versus nest dispersion

Oecologia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 169 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Ringelman ◽  
John M. Eadie ◽  
Joshua T. Ackerman
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Density Dependent

scholarly journals Edge Avoidance by Nesting Grassland Birds: A Futile Strategy in a Fragmented Landscape

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 618-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind B. Renfrew ◽  
Christine A. Ribic ◽  
Jamie L. Nack
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Grassland Birds ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Spermophilus Tridecemlineatus ◽  
Grassland Bird ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Dolichonyx Oryzivorus ◽  
Vegetation Height

Abstract Some grassland passerine species are considered area-sensitive, but the mechanisms underlying that phenomenon are not understood, particularly on grazed grasslands. Area sensitivity may result from edge avoidance or higher nest predation near edges, both of which may be influenced by predator activity or cattle-induced vegetational differences between pasture edge and interior. We assessed the effect of distance to edge on nest density and predation Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum), Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), and meadowlarks (Sturnella spp.) along wooded and nonwooded edges of Wisconsin pastures in 1998-2000 and the activity of potential mammalian nest predators along those edges in 2000-2001. We found a positive relationship between nest density and distance from edge for all edge types combined, but that was not the result of effects of wooded edges: we found no difference in density between nests located <50 or <100 m from wooded versus nonwooded (crop or grassland) edges. Models that included combinations of vegetation structure (e.g. concealment), initiation date, year, or edge variables (or all four) were poor predictors of the probability of nest predation. Placing nests away from edges, therefore, did not reduce the risk of nest predation. Eight species known to prey on grassland bird nests were documented along pasture edges, raccoon (Procyon lotor) being the most common. Frequency of raccoon and thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) visitation was higher along wooded edges and nonwooded edges, respectively. Cattle (Bos taurus) activity did not differentially affect vegetation height-density along edges compared with that in the pasture interior. Possible reasons for predation risk being similar in both pasture interiors and edges in a fragmented landscape include the ease with which predators can move within pastures, high percentage of resident grassland predators, and small size (median = 47.2 ha) of pastures.

Nest-predation at the edge: an experimental study contrasting two types of edges in the dry Chaco, Paraguay

Ecography ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena M. Eriksson ◽  
Lars Edenius ◽  
Veronika Areskoug ◽  
Dennis A. Meritt Jr
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Nest Predation

Elevated nest predation risk promotes offspring size variation in birds with prolonged parental care.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen F. Wagner ◽  
Emeline Mourocq ◽  
Michael Griesser
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Offspring Size ◽  
Natural Predation ◽  
Risk Spreading

Predation of offspring is the main cause of reproductive failure in many species, and the mere fear of offspring predation shapes reproductive strategies. Yet, natural predation risk is ubiquitously variable and can be unpredictable. Consequently, the perceived prospect of predation early in a reproductive cycle may not reflect the actual risk to ensuing offspring. An increased variance in investment across offspring has been linked to breeding in unpredictable environments in several taxa, but has so far been overlooked as a maternal response to temporal variation in predation risk. Here, we experimentally increased the perceived risk of nest predation prior to egg-laying in seven bird species. Species with prolonged parent-offspring associations increased their intra-brood variation in egg, and subsequently offspring, size. High risk to offspring early in a reproductive cycle can favour a risk-spreading strategy particularly in species with the greatest opportunity to even out offspring quality after fledging.

Temporal Changes in Habitat Selection and Nest Spacing in a Colony of Ross' and Lesser Snow Geese

The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Robert McLandress
Keyword(s):  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Nearest Neighbors ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Island Habitats

Abstract I studied the nesting colony of Ross' Geese (Chen rossii) and Lesser Snow Geese (C. caerulescens caerulescens) at Karrak Lake in the central Arctic of Canada in the summer of 1976. Related studies indicated that this colony had grown from 18,000 birds in 1966-1968 to 54,500 birds in 1976. In 1976, geese nested on islands that were used in the late 1960's and on an island and mainland sites that were previously unoccupied. Average nest density in 1976 was three-fold greater than in the late 1960's. Consequently, the average distance to nearest neighbors of Ross' Geese in 1976 was half the average distance determined 10 yr earlier. The mean clutch size of Ross' Geese was greater in island habitats where nest densities were high than in less populated island or mainland habitats. The average size of Snow Goose clutches did not differ significantly among island habitats but was larger at island than at mainland sites. Large clutches were most likely attributable to older and/or earlier nesting females. Habitat preferences apparently differed between species. Small clutches presumably indicated that young geese nested in areas where nest densities were low. The establishment of mainland nesting at Karrak Lake probably began with young Snow Geese using peripheral areas of the colony. Young Ross' Geese nested in sparsely populated habitats on islands to a greater extent than did Snow Geese. Ross' Geese also nested on the mainland but in lower densities than Ross' Geese nesting in similar island habitats. Successful nests with the larger clutches had closer conspecific neighbors than did successful nests with smaller clutches. The species composition of nearest neighbors changed significantly with distance from Snow Goose nests but not Ross' Goose nests. Nesting success was not affected by the species of nearest neighbor, however. Because they have complementary antipredator adaptations, Ross' and Snow geese may benefit by nesting together.

scholarly journals Glucocorticoids, state-dependent reproductive investment and success in the face of danger in a long-lived bird

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Noreikienė ◽  
Kim Jaatinen ◽  
Benjamin B. Steele ◽  
Markus Öst
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Relative Telomere Length ◽  
Future Reproduction

AbstractGlucocorticoid hormones may mediate trade-offs between current and future reproduction. However, understanding their role is complicated by predation risk, which simultaneously affects the value of the current reproductive investment and elevates glucocorticoid levels. Here, we shed light on these issues in long-lived female Eiders (Somateria mollissima) by investigating how current reproductive investment (clutch size) and hatching success relate to faecal glucocorticoid metabolite [fGCM] level and residual reproductive value (minimum years of breeding experience, body condition, relative telomere length) under spatially variable predation risk. Our results showed a positive relationship between colony-specific predation risk and mean colony-specific fGCM levels. Clutch size and female fGCM were negatively correlated only under high nest predation and in females in good body condition, previously shown to have a longer life expectancy. We also found that younger females with longer telomeres had smaller clutches. The drop in hatching success with increasing fGCM levels was least pronounced under high nest predation risk, suggesting that elevated fGCM levels may allow females to ensure some reproductive success under such conditions. Hatching success was positively associated with female body condition, with relative telomere length, particularly in younger females, and with female minimum age, particularly under low predation risk, showing the utility of these metrics as indicators of individual quality. In line with a trade-off between current and future reproduction, our results show that high potential for future breeding prospects and increased predation risk shift the balance toward investment in future reproduction, with glucocorticoids playing a role in the resolution of this trade-off.

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