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C M Shuttleworth - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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interactions between the red squirrel sciurus vulgaris great tit parus major and jackdaw corvus monedula whilst using Nest Boxes
Journal of Zoology, 2001Co-Authors: C M ShuttleworthAbstract:This paper reports upon the use of Nest Boxes in coniferous woodland by the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, great tit Parus major and the jackdaw Corvus monedula over a 6-year period from 1994 to 1999. Initially 30 Nest Boxes were erected with eight additional Boxes being put up in 1995. In the period 1994 to 1997, red squirrels were found to use Nest Boxes regularly as Nesting and breeding sites (7.8 ± 1.0 se litters found annually). Box use was greatest in the summer and autumn months (70% of Boxes being used at least once) and declined through the winter (50%) into the spring (45%). The presence of great tit clutches and broods in the spring did not prevent red squirrels from occupying Boxes. Only 28% (n= 12) of all the recorded great tit clutches produced fledgling young in 1994 to 1997 and red squirrels were found to have consumed some of the chicks and eggs. The establishment of a jackdaw colony within the woodland led to 86% of the Nest Boxes being used by the birds in the spring of 1999. Red squirrel occupation of Boxes in the spring declined to 7% and only three litters were recorded that year. The study showed that the jackdaw has the capacity to dominate Nest Boxes during the spring months despite the high density of red squirrels within the reserve.
Buckingham, Bruce N. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Predator scent and visual cue applied to Nest Boxes fail to dissuade European Starlings (\u3ci\u3eSturnus vulgaris\u3c/i\u3e) from Nesting
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2020Co-Authors: Blackwell Bradley, Pfeiffer Morgan, Seamans, Thomas W., Buckingham, Bruce N.Abstract:Indirect predator cues have been shown to enhance perceived Nest predation risk in both open-cup and cavity-Nesting birds. We hypothesized that scent from the raccoon (Procyon lotor) inside Nest Boxes, supplemented with raccoon hair as a visual cue on the outside of the box, would enhance perceived risk to the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), resulting in reduced use of treated Nest Boxes and negative effects on reproduction. The starling is recognized, outside its native range, as a competitor with indigenous cavity Nesters and a pest species, and efforts to deter its Nesting have generally been unsuccessful. Our objectives were to examine Nest initiation, clutch development, and hatching success by starlings relative to 4 Nest box treatments. Starlings selected from Nest Boxes treated with a novel visual cue at the entry hole, predator scent inside the Nest box and supplemented with a predator visual cue at the entry hole, the predator visual cue, or a novel odor inside the box and supplemented with the novel visual cue at the entry hole (n = 120 Boxes; n = 30 per treatment). Starlings established Nest bowls in 65% of Nest Boxes (novel visual cue = 21 Boxes, predator scent/predator visual cue = 19 Boxes, predator visual cue = 17 Boxes, novel odor/novel visual cue = 21 Boxes); clutches (≥1 egg) were laid in 80 Boxes, but 2 Boxes contained a single egg with no Nest. We observed no effects of treatment on likelihood of starlings laying a clutch, date of first egg, clutch size, or hatchling number. We conclude that raccoon scent inside Nest Boxes, supplemented by raccoon hair as a visual cue, failed to enhance perceived risk to starlings such that Nesting was deterred. We suggest that direct or indirect experience with Nest predation attempts (which enhance perceived risk) and the starling’s plasticity in antipredator responses are key hurdles in development of an efficacious Nesting deterrent. Therefore, we encourage the evaluation of direct predation risk via use of predator effigies on or in Nest Boxes, as well as in foraging areas proximate to Nest Boxes. Se ha demostrado que las señales indirectas de depredadores aumentan la percepción del riesgo de depredación en aves con nidos de copa abierta y aquellas que anidan en cavidades. Sometimos a prueba nuestra hipótesis de que el olor del mapache (Procyon lotor) en el interior de las cajas-nido, adicionado con pelo de mapache como señal visual fuera de la caja-nido, aumentaría la percepción de riesgo para el estornino Sturnus vulgaris, teniendo como resultado un uso reducido de las cajas-nido tratadas y efectos negativos en su reproducción. Fuera de su rango nativo de distribución, el estornino es reconocido como un competidor con aves locales que anidan en cavidades y como una plaga, y los esfuerzos para detener su anidación generalmente han fracasado. Nuestros objetivos fueron examinar el inicio del nido, desarrollo de la puesta y éxito de eclosión en relación a 4 tratamientos de caja-nido. Los estorninos eligieron entre cajas-nido tratadas con una señal visual nueva en el agujero de entrada, con olor de depredador dentro de la caja-nido y suplementada con una señal visual en el agujero de entrada, con se˜nal visual del depredador o con un olor nuevo dentro de la caja suplementada con la señal visual en el agujero de entrada (n = 120 cajas; n = 30 por tratamiento). Los estorninos establecieron nidos en el 65% de las cajas-nido (con la señal visual nueva = 21 cajas, con olor y señal visual nueva de depredador = 19 cajas, con señal visual de depredador = 17 cajas, y con olor nuevo y señal visual nueva = 21 cajas). Hicieron puestas (≥1 huevo) en 80 cajas, si bien 2 de éstas contenían un único huevo sin nido. No observamos efectos del tratamiento en la probabilidad de que los estorninos hicieran una puesta, en la fecha del primer huevo, tamaño de puesta o número de polluelos. Concluimos que el olor del mapache en el interior de las cajas-nido, suplementado con pelo de mapache como señal visual, no aumentan el riesgo percibido por los estorninos al grado de disuadir su anidaci´on. Sugerimos que la experiencia directa o indirecta con intentos de depredación de nidos (que aumentan el riesgo percibido), y la plasticidad del estornino en su respuesta antidepredador, son obstáculos clave en el desarrollo de un desalentador de anidación. Por ello, proponemos la evaluación de riesgo directo de depredación por medio de efigies de depredadores sobre o dentro de las cajas nido, así como en áreas de forrajeo cercanas a cajas-nido
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Landscape Factors that Influence European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Nest Box Occupancy at NASA Plum Brook Station (PBS), Erie County, Ohio, USA
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2019Co-Authors: Pfeiffer Morgan, Seamans, Thomas W., Buckingham, Bruce N., Blackwell, Bradley F.Abstract: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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European Starling (\u3ci\u3eSturnus vulgaris\u3c/i\u3e) reproduction undeterred by predator scent inside Nest Boxes
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2018Co-Authors: Blackwell Bradley, Seamans, Thomas W., Pfeiffer, Morgan B., Buckingham, Bruce N.Abstract:Indirect predator cues near Nests have been shown to enhance perceived predation risk and associated antipredator behaviours in breeding animals across taxa and particularly with birds. We hypothesized that scent from the raccoon (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) inside Nest Boxes would, despite being an evolutionarily unique predator, enhance perceived risk to the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)), thus reducing use of treated sites and reproduction. During early spring, starlings selected from Nest Boxes treated with equal volumes of predator scent, a novel odour, or water (n = 40 Boxes per treatment). We evaluated effects of treatment on reproductive traits via generalized linear models. Starlings established Nest bowls in 61% of Nest Boxes (predator scent, n = 27 Boxes; novel odour, n = 24 Boxes; control (water), n = 22 Boxes); clutches were laid in 68 Boxes. We observed no effects of treatment on the likelihood of a clutch (≥1 egg) or Nest failure. Further, we found no treatment effects on date of first egg, clutch size, or hatchling number. We conclude that starling antipredator response to enhanced, indirect risk of Nest predation is contingent upon a combination of predator cues, as well as direct or indirect experience with Nest predation
Motti Charter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Nest site competition between invasive and native cavity Nesting birds and its implication for conservation
Journal of Environmental Management, 2016Co-Authors: Motti Charter, Ido Izhaki, Yitzchak Ben Mocha, Salit KarkAbstract:Nesting cavities are often a limited resource that multiple species use. There is an ongoing discussion on whether invasive cavity Nesting birds restrict the availability of this key limited resource. While the answer to this question has important conservation implications, little experimental work has been done to examine it. Here, we aimed to experimentally test whether alien cavity Nesting birds affect the occupancy of cavities and the resulting breeding success of native cavity breeders in a large urban park located in Tel Aviv, Israel. Over three breeding seasons, we manipulated the entry size of Nest Boxes and compared the occupancy and breeding success of birds in Nest Boxes of two treatments. These included Nest Boxes with large-entrance and small-entrance holes. The large-entrance holes allowed access for both the native and invasive birds (the two main aliens in the park are the common mynas and rose-ringed parakeets). The smaller-entrance Boxes, on the other hand, allowed only the smaller sized native cavity breeders (great tits and house sparrows) to enter the Boxes but prevented the alien species from entering. We found that the large-entrance Nest Boxes were occupied by five different bird species, comprising three natives (great tit, house sparrow, Scops owl) and two invasive species (common myna, rose-ringed parakeet) while the small-entrance Boxes were only occupied by the two native species. The alien common mynas and rose-ringed parakeets occupied 77.5% of the large-entrance Nest Boxes whereas native species, mainly great tits, occupied less than 9% of the large-entrance Boxes and 36.5% of the small-entrance Boxes. When examining the occupancy of those cavities that were not occupied by the aliens, natives occupied both the small and large-entrance Nest Boxes equally. Three quarters (78%) of the great tits breeding in the large-entrance Boxes were usurped by common mynas during the breeding season and as a result breeding success was significantly lower for great tits breeding in the large-entrance Boxes compared with the small-entrance Boxes. The results of this study suggests that the invasive alien species can reduce the breeding potential of native cavity breeders both by exploiting the limited breeding resource (Nest cavities) and by directly usurping cavities already occupied by the native species. Since the majority of large-entrance Nest Boxes were occupied by the larger alien birds, less native species bred in the limited number of unoccupied large-entrance Nest Boxes because of exploitation competition. We propose that for management purposes, Nest-box programs that alter the entrance size of available natural cavities may be a practical approach, reducing the competition between native cavity breeders and alien invasive birds, and especially benefiting the smaller native cavity breeders.
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asymmetric seasonal Nest site competition between great tits and house sparrows
Journal of Ornithology, 2013Co-Authors: Motti Charter, Yossi Leshem, Ido IzhakiAbstract:Using Nest Boxes with different sized entrances, we experimentally examined whether a large species of cavity breeder (House Sparrow, Passer domesticus) affects the Nest box occupancy and breeding success of a smaller species (Great Tit, Parus major), and whether there are differences in the effects of competition during different parts of the breeding season. Great Tits occupied Nest Boxes regardless of the number of House Sparrows breeding in the vicinity. During the second part of the breeding season, the percentage of successful Great Tit pairs was negatively correlated with the occupation of Nest Boxes by the House Sparrows, in both the large- and small-entrance Nest Boxes. More Great Tit pairs bred and more young were fledged in the small- than large-entrance Nest Boxes. Great Tits occupied more large-entrance Nest Boxes during the first than the second part of the breeding season. This difference was probably due to House Sparrows occupying more large-entrance Nest Boxes during the second than first part of the breeding season. 74 % of the large-entrance Nest Boxes in which Great Tits built Nests in both the first and second parts of the season were later occupied by House Sparrows. Great Tits preferred large-entrance Nest Boxes in the fall, when House Sparrows use only a few Boxes for roosting, but not for breeding. The findings indicate that Great Tits are subject to interspecific competition with House Sparrows for Nesting cavities, the intensity of which varies during the breeding season and is higher during the second part when more House Sparrows breed.
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does Nest box location and orientation affect occupation rate and breeding success of barn owls tyto alba in a semi arid environment
Acta Ornithologica, 2010Co-Authors: Motti Charter, Kobi Meyrom, Yossi Leshem, Shaul Aviel, Ido Izhaki, Yoav MotroAbstract:To date, Nest orientation and location in hole-Nesting birds have been studied mainly in temperate regions and in diurnal cavity breeders. Here we studied the effect of exposure, orientation, and habitat on Nest box occupation and breeding success of Barn Owls in a semi-arid environment. The occupation of Nest Boxes varied with exposure and orientation. A higher percentage of occupation and more Barn Owl Nestlings per breeding attempt were found in Nest Boxes located in the shade than in the sun, and in those facing east/north rather than other directions. The temperature in the Nest Boxes varied, being lowest in those located in the shade and in those facing east. Nest Boxes located in crop fields fledged more young per breeding attempt than those located in date plantations. We suggest that the higher Nest box occupation and number of Nestlings fledged was probably due to the lower temperatures in those Boxes, an impor- tant factor in a hot/arid environment, although alternative explanations are also considered.
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Nest box use by the barn owl tyto alba in a biological pest control program in the beit she an valley israel
Ardea, 2009Co-Authors: Kobi Meyrom, Yossi Leshem, Shaul Aviel, Ido Izhaki, Yoav Motro, Francis Argyle, Motti CharterAbstract:Starting in 1983, Nest Boxes for Barn Owls Tyto alba were erected as part of a biological pest control program to deal with rodents, in Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, and later in other agricultural fields and plantations in the Beit She'an valley, Israel. More than a decade ago, the Nest box scheme was extended to include other agricultural areas in the valley, and grew from 14 Boxes on 3 km2 in 1983 to about 300 Boxes on 90 km2 throughout the entire Beit She'an valley in 2007. Here we present the results of a study during the 2002 through 2006 breeding seasons, in which 156 to 243 Nest Boxes were monitored each season. Mean occupation of Nest Boxes during the study was 53.5% (SE 2.1, n = 248), and a total of 596 breeding attempts were recorded, of which 85.2% successfully fledged at least one young. Yearly occupation of Nest Boxes varied significantly between the years, ranging from 48.1% to 73.5%. The occupancy rate of first-year Nest Boxes was lower than that of those available for two or more years. The occupa...
Catherine A. Lindell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of american kestrel Nest Boxes on small mammal prey in cherry orchards
Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 2018Co-Authors: Megan E. Shave, Barbara Lundrigan, Catherine A. LindellAbstract:Author(s): Shave, Megan; Lundrigan, Barbara; Lindell, Catherine | Abstract: In order to potentially reduce use of environmentally damaging rodenticides, integrated Pest Management (IPM) for rodents, or Ecologically Based Rodent Management (EBRM), proposes a more sustainable management approach using strategies informed by an increased understanding of rodent population and community ecology, including interactions with important predators, such as raptors. Nest Boxes and perches can encourage raptor presence in agricultural areas and potentially enhance the regulatory ecosystem services provided by raptor predation of agricultural pests. To assess this idea, we studied American kestrels (widespread, generalist predators that readily use Nest Boxes) in a fruit-growing region of northwestern Michigan. The most common mammal prey in the diets of these kestrels from 2013 through 2016 were voles, which are considered the most important rodent pests in temperate fruit orchards. We utilized live trapping to measure small mammal abundances and activity during the summer at sites with and without active kestrel Nest Boxes; furthermore, we utilized camera trapping to measure small mammal presence during the winter, when damage to trees is most likely. As predicted, small mammal abundance and activity was lower at orchards with active kestrel Boxes and at orchards that had been more recently mowed; however, these differences did not carry over as differences in winter presence in orchards. Our sampling demonstrated that voles were absent from orchards during both summer and winter, which suggests that orchards offer insufficient cover except under certain conditions, such as sustained snow cover. Instead, mice were the most abundant small mammals in most orchards during the summer and were also present during the winter. More evidence is therefore needed to determine the extent of orchard damage attributable to Peromyscus spp. and whether indirect effects of kestrels on Peromyscus spp. may reduce damage. We provide recommendations for future research on the effects of raptor predation in orchards.
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Occupancy modeling reveals territory-level effects of Nest Boxes on the presence, colonization, and persistence of a declining raptor in a fruit-growing region.
PloS one, 2017Co-Authors: Megan E. Shave, Catherine A. LindellAbstract:Nest Boxes for predators in agricultural regions are an easily implemented tool to improve local habitat quality with potential benefits for both conservation and agriculture. The potential for Nest Boxes to increase raptor populations in agricultural regions is of particular interest given their positions as top predators. This study examined the effects of cherry orchard Nest Boxes on the local breeding population of a declining species, the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), in a fruit-growing region of Michigan. During the 2013-2016 study, we added a total of 23 new Nest Boxes in addition to 24 intact Boxes installed previously; kestrels used up to 100% of our new Boxes each season. We conducted temporally-replicated surveys along four roadside transects divided into 1.6 km × 500 m sites. We developed a multi-season occupancy model under a Bayesian framework and found that Nest Boxes had strong positive effects on first-year site occupancy, site colonization, and site persistence probabilities. The estimated number of occupied sites increased between 2013 and 2016, which correlated with the increase in number of sites with Boxes. Kestrel detections decreased with survey date but were not affected by time of day or activity at the Boxes themselves. These results indicate that Nest Boxes determined the presence of kestrels at our study sites and support the conclusion that the local kestrel population is likely limited by Nest site availability. Furthermore, our results are highly relevant to the farmers on whose properties the Boxes were installed, for we can conclude that installing a Nest box in an orchard resulted in a high probability of kestrels occupying that orchard or the areas adjacent to it.
Seamans, Thomas W. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Predator scent and visual cue applied to Nest Boxes fail to dissuade European Starlings (\u3ci\u3eSturnus vulgaris\u3c/i\u3e) from Nesting
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2020Co-Authors: Blackwell Bradley, Pfeiffer Morgan, Seamans, Thomas W., Buckingham, Bruce N.Abstract:Indirect predator cues have been shown to enhance perceived Nest predation risk in both open-cup and cavity-Nesting birds. We hypothesized that scent from the raccoon (Procyon lotor) inside Nest Boxes, supplemented with raccoon hair as a visual cue on the outside of the box, would enhance perceived risk to the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), resulting in reduced use of treated Nest Boxes and negative effects on reproduction. The starling is recognized, outside its native range, as a competitor with indigenous cavity Nesters and a pest species, and efforts to deter its Nesting have generally been unsuccessful. Our objectives were to examine Nest initiation, clutch development, and hatching success by starlings relative to 4 Nest box treatments. Starlings selected from Nest Boxes treated with a novel visual cue at the entry hole, predator scent inside the Nest box and supplemented with a predator visual cue at the entry hole, the predator visual cue, or a novel odor inside the box and supplemented with the novel visual cue at the entry hole (n = 120 Boxes; n = 30 per treatment). Starlings established Nest bowls in 65% of Nest Boxes (novel visual cue = 21 Boxes, predator scent/predator visual cue = 19 Boxes, predator visual cue = 17 Boxes, novel odor/novel visual cue = 21 Boxes); clutches (≥1 egg) were laid in 80 Boxes, but 2 Boxes contained a single egg with no Nest. We observed no effects of treatment on likelihood of starlings laying a clutch, date of first egg, clutch size, or hatchling number. We conclude that raccoon scent inside Nest Boxes, supplemented by raccoon hair as a visual cue, failed to enhance perceived risk to starlings such that Nesting was deterred. We suggest that direct or indirect experience with Nest predation attempts (which enhance perceived risk) and the starling’s plasticity in antipredator responses are key hurdles in development of an efficacious Nesting deterrent. Therefore, we encourage the evaluation of direct predation risk via use of predator effigies on or in Nest Boxes, as well as in foraging areas proximate to Nest Boxes. Se ha demostrado que las señales indirectas de depredadores aumentan la percepción del riesgo de depredación en aves con nidos de copa abierta y aquellas que anidan en cavidades. Sometimos a prueba nuestra hipótesis de que el olor del mapache (Procyon lotor) en el interior de las cajas-nido, adicionado con pelo de mapache como señal visual fuera de la caja-nido, aumentaría la percepción de riesgo para el estornino Sturnus vulgaris, teniendo como resultado un uso reducido de las cajas-nido tratadas y efectos negativos en su reproducción. Fuera de su rango nativo de distribución, el estornino es reconocido como un competidor con aves locales que anidan en cavidades y como una plaga, y los esfuerzos para detener su anidación generalmente han fracasado. Nuestros objetivos fueron examinar el inicio del nido, desarrollo de la puesta y éxito de eclosión en relación a 4 tratamientos de caja-nido. Los estorninos eligieron entre cajas-nido tratadas con una señal visual nueva en el agujero de entrada, con olor de depredador dentro de la caja-nido y suplementada con una señal visual en el agujero de entrada, con se˜nal visual del depredador o con un olor nuevo dentro de la caja suplementada con la señal visual en el agujero de entrada (n = 120 cajas; n = 30 por tratamiento). Los estorninos establecieron nidos en el 65% de las cajas-nido (con la señal visual nueva = 21 cajas, con olor y señal visual nueva de depredador = 19 cajas, con señal visual de depredador = 17 cajas, y con olor nuevo y señal visual nueva = 21 cajas). Hicieron puestas (≥1 huevo) en 80 cajas, si bien 2 de éstas contenían un único huevo sin nido. No observamos efectos del tratamiento en la probabilidad de que los estorninos hicieran una puesta, en la fecha del primer huevo, tamaño de puesta o número de polluelos. Concluimos que el olor del mapache en el interior de las cajas-nido, suplementado con pelo de mapache como señal visual, no aumentan el riesgo percibido por los estorninos al grado de disuadir su anidaci´on. Sugerimos que la experiencia directa o indirecta con intentos de depredación de nidos (que aumentan el riesgo percibido), y la plasticidad del estornino en su respuesta antidepredador, son obstáculos clave en el desarrollo de un desalentador de anidación. Por ello, proponemos la evaluación de riesgo directo de depredación por medio de efigies de depredadores sobre o dentro de las cajas nido, así como en áreas de forrajeo cercanas a cajas-nido
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Landscape Factors that Influence European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Nest Box Occupancy at NASA Plum Brook Station (PBS), Erie County, Ohio, USA
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2019Co-Authors: Pfeiffer Morgan, Seamans, Thomas W., Buckingham, Bruce N., Blackwell, Bradley F.Abstract: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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European Starling (\u3ci\u3eSturnus vulgaris\u3c/i\u3e) reproduction undeterred by predator scent inside Nest Boxes
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2018Co-Authors: Blackwell Bradley, Seamans, Thomas W., Pfeiffer, Morgan B., Buckingham, Bruce N.Abstract:Indirect predator cues near Nests have been shown to enhance perceived predation risk and associated antipredator behaviours in breeding animals across taxa and particularly with birds. We hypothesized that scent from the raccoon (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) inside Nest Boxes would, despite being an evolutionarily unique predator, enhance perceived risk to the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)), thus reducing use of treated sites and reproduction. During early spring, starlings selected from Nest Boxes treated with equal volumes of predator scent, a novel odour, or water (n = 40 Boxes per treatment). We evaluated effects of treatment on reproductive traits via generalized linear models. Starlings established Nest bowls in 61% of Nest Boxes (predator scent, n = 27 Boxes; novel odour, n = 24 Boxes; control (water), n = 22 Boxes); clutches were laid in 68 Boxes. We observed no effects of treatment on the likelihood of a clutch (≥1 egg) or Nest failure. Further, we found no treatment effects on date of first egg, clutch size, or hatchling number. We conclude that starling antipredator response to enhanced, indirect risk of Nest predation is contingent upon a combination of predator cues, as well as direct or indirect experience with Nest predation
