Breeding ecology and nest site selection in allopatric mainland Citril Finches Carduelis [citrinella] citrinella and insular Corsican Finches Carduelis [citrinella] corsicanus

Abstract We describe nest-site selection and report measures of breeding productivity from a population of Song Wrens (Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus) in central Panama. We studied 31 pairs from 1995 to 1998 and collected data on nest predation from 1996 to 1998. Song Wrens are year-round residents that build breeding nests for reproduction and dormitory nests for roosting. Twenty-five of 50 Song Wren breeding nests produced fledglings (daily nest survival rate = 0.968). Song Wrens usually (78%) placed their breeding nests in ant-defended acacias (Acacia melanoceras). However, nests placed in acacias did not experience lower rates of nest predation than nests placed in sites not defended by ants. The population-wide breeding season was seven months long, but individual pairs often bred within a span of only 2.5 months. Modal clutch size was two (n = 42), but the frequency of three-egg clutches was high (≥27%). Pairs that lost eggs or chicks renested more quickly than pairs that fledged young and attempted a second brood. Observed annual production of young was 1.4 fledglings per pair. Compared with other wrens, Song Wrens had a much longer breeding season and longer intervals between broods. The annual productivity of Song Wrens was the lowest recorded for any wren, which may have been due to smaller clutch sizes, long intervals between broods, and the correspondingly low number of nesting attempts per pair per year.

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Breeding ecology, nest characteristics, and nest-site selection of stream- and lake-dwelling rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z87-059 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 379-390 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Douglas B. Noltie ◽

Miles H. A. Keenleyside

Keyword(s):

Site Selection ◽

Nest Site ◽

Nest Site Selection ◽

Nest Size ◽

Breeding Ecology ◽

Breeding Populations ◽

Rock Bass ◽

Influence Of Water ◽

Ambloplites Rupestris ◽

Selection Of

This study examines the breeding ecology, nests, and nest-site selection of stream-dwelling rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque), populating the Middle Thames River near London, Ontario. Breeding in this stream began earlier, at lower temperatures, and continued longer than in other documented lake-breeding populations. These responses were related to flooding which repeatedly thwarted breeding attempts. Nesting and spawning continued asynchronously throughout the seasons, increasing breeding opportunities. Older, larger males spawned earliest in the season, allowing them increased renesting opportunities. The duration of each stage in nesting and brood development was documented. Nests were generally larger than those of other rock bass populations. Male size and nest size were positively related. Nests were elliptical rather than circular as in lakes, reflecting the influence of water flow. Males demonstrated nest-site selection: individual nest sites were allocated nonrandomly with respect to depth, reflecting the availability of appropriate nesting substrates, and the majority of nests were constructed downstream from obstructions to current. Many of these features of rock bass reproduction can be interpreted as being responses to the relatively variable and rigorous environment of the stream habitat as compared with lakes.

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VIEWING HABITAT THROUGH ANOTHER LENS: BIRD NEST-SITE SELECTION AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS A BEACH THERMAL LANDSCAPE

10.1130/abs/2019se-326650 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Lauren Schaale ◽

◽

Joseph Baxley ◽

Narcisa Pricope ◽

Raymond M. Danner

Keyword(s):

Site Selection ◽

Nest Site ◽

Nest Site Selection ◽

Bird Nest

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Territory and Nest-Site Selection of Cerulean Warblers in Eastern Ontario

The Auk ◽

10.1093/auk/118.3.727 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 118 (3) ◽

pp. 727-735 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jason Jones ◽

Raleigh J. Robertson

Keyword(s):

Site Selection ◽

Nest Site ◽

Deciduous Forest ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Nest Site Selection ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Dendroica Cerulea ◽

Large Trees ◽

Eastern Ontario ◽

Cerulean Warblers

Abstract We examined habitat selection by breeding Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) at three spatial scales in eastern Ontario over three years (1997–1999). Territories were characterized by well-spaced large trees, with high canopies and dense foliage cover at heights between 12–18 m. Nesting habitat additionally was characterized by dense foliage cover above 18 m. The results of our nest-patch (0.04 ha circle around nest) and nest-site (0.01 ha circle) analyses indicate that male Cerulean Warblers may take active roles in nest-site selection when selecting territories. We conclude from our nest-patch and nest-site selection analyses that territories likely contain multiple nest patches and sites and that male Cerulean Warblers may defend areas with multiple nest patches or sites, which may attract females to settle with them. Whether or not Cerulean Warbler females use nest-site availability as a mate- or territory-choice cue remains unknown. We also tested the validity of a commonly made assumption that a random sampling of habitat by researchers is representative of the habitat actually available to birds and found that, in our study area, the assumption was invalid. Taken together, our results point toward the need to maintain sizeable stands of mature, deciduous forest to ensure the persistence of Cerulean Warblers in eastern Ontario. Population characteristics such as lower minimum area requirements and a resilience to habitat disturbance may make that an easier job in eastern Ontario than elsewhere in this species' breeding range.

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