Invertebrate Use of Natural Tree Cavities and Vertebrate Nest Boxes

1982 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Mccomb ◽  
Robert E. Noble
Keyword(s):  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities

scholarly journals Pre- and post-experimental manipulation assessments confirm the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Cuatianquiz Lima ◽  
Constantino Macías Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Forest Plantations ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Young Forest ◽  
Large Trees

Secondary cavity nesting (SCN) birds breed in holes that they do not excavate themselves. This is possible where there are large trees whose size and age permit the digging of holes by primary excavators and only rarely happens in forest plantations, where we expected a deficit of both breeding holes and SCN species. We assessed whether the availability of tree cavities influenced the number of SCNs in two temperate forest types, and evaluated the change in number of SCNs after adding nest boxes. First, we counted all cavities within each of our 25-m radius sampling points in mature and young forest plots during 2009. We then added nest boxes at standardised locations during 2010 and 2011 and conducted fortnightly bird counts (January–October 2009–2011). In 2011 we added two extra plots of each forest type, where we also conducted bird counts. Prior to adding nest boxes, counts revealed more SCNs in mature than in young forest. Following the addition of nest boxes, the number of SCNs increased significantly in the points with nest boxes in both types of forest. Counts in 2011 confirmed the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes. Given the likely benefits associated with a richer bird community we propose that, as is routinely done in some countries, forest management programs preserve old tree stumps and add nest boxes to forest plantations in order to increase bird numbers and bird community diversity.

Small mammals in nests of cavity-nesting birds: Why should ornithologists study rodents?

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Czeszczewik ◽  
W. Walankiewicz ◽  
M. Stańska
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Yellow Necked Mouse

We analyze the frequency of occurrence of small mammals recorded in natural cavities and nest boxes in the Białowieża Forest (eastern Poland) and also describe some parameters of tree cavities. A total of 748 cavities and 60 nest boxes in primeval tree stands and 190 nest boxes in managed tree stands were monitored. Both cavities and nest boxes in primeval stands were occupied by mammals less often than nest boxes in managed stands (0.70%, 0.12%, and 1.26%, respectively). The following mammal species were recorded in natural cavities: Eurasian red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris L., 1758), forest dormouse ( Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1778)), yellow-necked mouse ( Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834)), and bats (Microchiroptera species). Three mammalian species were recorded in nest boxes: forest dormouse, fat dormouse ( Myoxus glis (L., 1766)), and yellow-necked mouse. The attractiveness of the boxes for mammals increases in managed forests, probably because of a shortage of natural cavities. We suggest that the role of rodents in the breeding ecology of cavity-nesters is underestimated, since studies on natural cavities are rather rare and the species identities of nest predators are most likely poorly recognized. To understand the breeding ecology of birds, ornithologists should study the population dynamics of mammals and the manner in which they use tree cavities and nest boxes.

scholarly journals Microclimate in tree cavities and nest-boxes: Implications for hole-nesting birds

2017 ◽  
Vol 389 ◽  
pp. 306-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Maziarz ◽  
Richard K. Broughton ◽  
Tomasz Wesołowski
Keyword(s):  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities

scholarly journals Nesting success of the oriental magpie robinCopsychus saularisin nest boxes and tree cavities

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amar Singh ◽  
Dinesh Bhatt ◽  
Vinaya Kumar Sethi ◽  
Navjeevan Dadwal
Keyword(s):  
Nesting Success ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities

scholarly journals NEST BOX USE AND POLYGYNY IN AN ENDANGERED PRIMATE SPECIES: THE BLACK LION TAMARIN (LEONTOPITHECUS CHRYSOPYGUS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. 166-173
Author(s):  
Francini de Oliveira Garcia ◽  
◽  
Bárbara Heliodora Soares do Prado ◽  
Edil de Jesus Souza ◽  
Valmir Machado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
First Record ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Lion Tamarins ◽  
Lion Tamarin ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Tree Holes

The black lion tamarin, Leontopithecus chrysopygus, is an endemic and endangered primate species from the Atlantic Forest of the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. Its mating system is characterized as monogamous and females give birth to two twin infants during each breeding season. They are known to mainly sleep in tree holes, which is considered as a pertinent strategy for increasing their protection from predators during the night. Artificial cavities, like nest boxes, have been installed for other species in areas where tree cavities are depleted, in order to replace them. In this study, we report (i) the use of nest boxes in the wild by a group of black lion tamarins and (ii) the first record of polygyny for this species.

Interaction between distant taxa in the use of tree cavities in African ecosystems: a study using nest-boxes

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
José P. Veiga ◽  
Wanyoike Wamiti ◽  
Vicente Polo ◽  
Muchane Muchai
Keyword(s):  
Social Insects ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Potential Factor

Abstract:Convergence in the use of resources may occur between distantly related organisms. A major ecological resource in which members of various taxa may be interested is a cavity for nesting. A variety of social hymenopterans and vertebrates may nest within tree cavities in tropical ecosystems. We used 241 nest-boxes placed in seven Kenyan localities to investigate the use of nesting cavities by members of distant taxa and discuss whether interaction between them is a potential factor shaping cavity-nester communities in tropical regions. The nest-boxes were occupied by social insects (ants, bees and wasps) (30.1% of nest-boxes in April–May and 33.1% in September–October) and vertebrates (birds and mammals) (20% and 7.7%, respectively). Hymenopterans were more abundant in forest boxes (36.2% of nest-boxes occupied in April–May and 37% in September–October), whereas savannas had lower figures (21.7% and 31.3%, respectively). Among vertebrates, most occupants of nest-boxes in savanna were birds (17.8% of nest-boxes occupied vs. 8% in mammals), while mammals predominated in forests (4.9% of the nest-boxes occupied vs. 0.3% in birds). Spatial and temporal patterns of occupation highlight the potential that interaction between distant taxa may have on the access to nesting cavities. More nest-boxes remained unoccupied in forested areas than in savanna areas suggesting that a shorter supply of nesting sites in the savanna may be a source of competition. The simultaneous occupation of a nest-box by two different taxa was exceptional, also supporting the hypothesized inter-taxon competition.

scholarly journals Landscape Factors that Influence European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Nest Box Occupancy at NASA Plum Brook Station (PBS), Erie County, Ohio, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan B. Pfeiffer ◽  
Thomas W. Seamans ◽  
Bruce N. Buckingham ◽  
Bradley F. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
European Starling ◽  
Erie County ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Landscape Factors ◽  
Anthropogenic Structures ◽  
Invertebrate Pests

During the last decade at NASA Plum Brook Station (PBS), Erie County, Ohio, United States, there has been a nearly 50% decrease in European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) occupancy (nests with ≥1 egg) of nest boxes designed to be used by starlings. Increased availability of natural cavities, from invertebrate pests, might have altered nest box occupation rates. It was hypothesized that starling nest box occupation rates would be a function of an index of potentially suitable tree cavities for nesting starlings, the semi-colonial nature of breeding starlings, and access to foraging areas (e.g., mowed lawns near buildings). Specifically, it was predicted that starling occupancy of nest boxes would correlate positively with a low density of potentially suitable tree cavities (calculated from a constructed index based on characteristics preferred by nesting starlings), and proximity of other starling occupied nest boxes and anthropogenic structures or mowed lawns. The objective was to quantify landscape factors around nest boxes with known starling occupation rates. Potentially suitable tree cavities were readily available near nest boxes. However, starling nest box occupation was instead a function of proximity to buildings, a factor associated with additional nesting sites and preferred foraging areas (mowed lawns). Nesting starlings in this study were influenced by anthropogenic structures and associated resources.

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