Patterns of Avian Nest Predators and a Brood Parasite Among Restored Riparian Habitats in Agricultural Watersheds

2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 133-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Maul ◽  
Peter C. Smiley ◽  
Charles M. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Watersheds ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Riparian Habitats ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Nest Predators

Galagos as avian nest predators in South Africa

Primates ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Engelbrecht
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Nest Predators

Tests of two functions of alarm calls given by yellow warblers during nest defence

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 1685-1690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon A Gill ◽  
Spencer G Sealy
Keyword(s):  
Molothrus Ater ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Nest Defence ◽  
Alarm Calls ◽  
Potential Danger ◽  
Dendroica Petechia ◽  
Yellow Warblers ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Nest Predators

During nest defence, yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) give "seet" and "chip" calls. Seet calls are given preferentially toward brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) during the yellow warblers' egg-laying period, whereas chip calls are given toward mammalian and avian nest predators throughout the nesting period. In this study, we investigated two possible functions of seet and chip calls during nest defence by playing alarm calls to nesting yellow warblers. We tested whether nest owners give seet and chip calls during defence to alert their offspring and their mates about nest threats and, in the latter case, whether the alarm calls differ in function depending on nesting stage. In response to playbacks, nestlings remained inactive for a significantly longer period when chip calls were played than when seet calls were played. Female yellow warblers returned to their nesting areas more quickly when seet calls were played than when chip calls were played, but pairs were equally likely to return to the nesting area in response to both call types. These findings suggests that both seet and chip calls alert mates but that only chip calls function to alert nestlings of potential danger.

Edge effects on nest predators in two forested landscapes

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 1943-1953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L Smith
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Edge Response ◽  
Nest Predators

Few studies have systematically examined edge effects on nest predators, although many invoke these processes as potential mechanisms for decreased nesting success of songbirds. Species richness and relative abundance of avian and mammalian nest predators were compared between forest edge and interior in two landscapes, Allegan State Game Area and Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC), in southwest Michigan. One avian predator, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm, 1822), was more abundant at edges than forest interior at FCTC; however, other predators did not demonstrate an edge response. Abundance of the brood parasite (Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783)) was greater at edges in FCTC. Overall abundance was higher at FCTC in both years; however, this could not be attributed to a greater extent of fragmentation. Total species richness for both landscapes did not differ between edge and interior. Remote-camera systems captured three predation events, two involving red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)) and one involving a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata (L., 1758)). Vegetation characteristics were similar between edge and interior sites, which suggests that vegetation structure did not influence edge response. The variability in response indicates a need to assess patterns of predator distributions through long-term studies at multiple spatial scales.

Nest Defence By Yellow Warblers: Recognition of a Brood Parasite and an Avian Nest Predator

Behaviour ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 263-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon A. Gill ◽  
Spencer G. Sealy
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nest Defence ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Yellow Warbler ◽  
Nest Protection ◽  
Yellow Warblers ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Defensive Behaviours ◽  
And Control ◽  
Nest Predator

AbstractYellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) were exposed to taxidermic mounts of a brood parasite (brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater), avian nest predator (common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula) and control (fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca) during their laying and nestling stages to determine whether nest owners distinguish between the threats of brood parasitism and predation. Yellow warblers responded more intensely to the cowbird at the laying stage, performing two unique behaviours (seet calling and nest-protection behaviour) in response to this threat. By contrast, yellow warbler responses to the grackle were greater at the nestling stage, consisting largely of alarm calls (chip, metallic chip and warble calls). The sparrow model infrequently elicited aggressive behaviour from nest owners at either stage. These responses support the hypothesis that yellow warblers discriminate between threats of brood parasitism and nest predation. Yellow warblers may perform specific behaviours to cowbirds because defensive behaviours used against predators may be incompatible with cowbird deterrence. Female nest owners responded more frequently than males at the laying stage, and more intensely than males at both nesting stages. The distance that females and males approached the models and several aggressive behaviours were positively correlated. The greater responsiveness of females may be because they dominate their mates and because females are more experienced with intruders near the nest.

scholarly journals Nesting Success and Nest Predators in Forest Fragments: A Study Using Real and Artificial Nests

The Auk ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Zanette ◽  
Bert Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Fragment Size ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Area Sensitivity ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Nest Predator ◽  
Nest Predators

Abstract Area sensitivity in songbirds is commonly attributed to increased nest predation in forest fragments. In 1995 and 1996, we tested whether the nest predators and nesting success of an area-sensitive forest bird, the Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis), varied with fragment size, and we also conducted an artificial nest experiment. The study occurred in two small (55 ha) and two large (>400 ha) forest fragments in a matrix of agricultural land in New South Wales, Australia. Predation accounted for 95% of all failures of 282 robin nests, and the survival of robin nests was negatively correlated with how frequently we observed avian nest predators near nests (i.e. nest-predator activity). Of 461 artificial nests, 84% were depredated, nearly all (99%) by birds. Thus, birds were important predators of nests. The abundance, species richness, and activity of avian nest predators were not related to fragment size. Survival of robin nests averaged 19%; nests in small fragments had a 22% chance of producing at least one fledgling compared with 15% in large fragments, but the difference was not significant. Survival of artificial nests averaged 12% in both small and large fragments. Nest-predator activity accounted for the most variation (68%) in the fate of robin nests, followed by the cumulative density of open-cup nesters (16%). The placement of robin nests had no influence on nest fate. We conclude that nest predation was not area dependent and propose food supply as an alternative hypothesis to explain area sensitivity. We suggest that, rather than being related to fragment size, nest predation increases with decreasing forest cover in a landscape. Increased nest predation in fragmented compared with contiguous landscapes may lower the population viability of songbirds in a region, and hence regional numbers. Therefore, the spatial scale at which fragmentation influences nest predation and songbird populations must be considered carefully.

Does the intrusion of an avian nest predator elicit a change in the behaviour of a canopy-nesting passerine?

Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Sharp ◽  
Kamal Islam
Keyword(s):  
Nest Defence ◽  
Cyanocitta Cristata ◽  
Potential Predator ◽  
Reduce Activity ◽  
Provisioning Rate ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Cerulean Warblers ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
Nest Predator ◽  
Nest Predators

Abstract Many studies have shown that nest predators affect their prey indirectly by inducing changes in the behaviour of the prey. Studies suggest that the type and degree of nest defence strategies depends heavily on species, along with nest type and location. One such strategy, nest vigilance, allows individuals to collect information and make informed decisions based on their surroundings. In this study, we simulated the intrusion of a common avian nest predator (blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata) into the territory of nesting cerulean warblers (Setophaga cerulea) and evaluated eight different behavioural variables to determine their response to the nest predator. Female cerulean warblers were more vigilant on their nest when exposed to a potential predator compared to a nest with lower threat of predation. Females exposed to a nest predator increased incubation bout by 109% and brooding bout by 60%. Our data also suggest that male cerulean warblers reduce their provisioning rate during the early nestling stage (−1 feeding/hour) and late nestling stage (−3 feedings/hour), although more data are needed. Modification of incubation bout length and nestling provisioning rate are common strategies employed by songbirds to reduce activity around the nest, by decreasing detection opportunities of visually-oriented nest predators. Currently, the only understanding we have on how cerulean warblers respond to a nest predator is based on observational data. The results of this study provide the first evidence that cerulean warblers are able to identify species that pose a threat to the safety of their nest, and that they modify their behaviour to reduce nest detection by predators. The results of this study provide a better understanding of a relatively unknown aspect of the breeding behaviour of this species. This study is also first to describe how an open-cup, canopy-nesting species responds to an increase in nest predation threat.

Radionuclides as Indicators of Sediment Transport in Agricultural Watersheds that Drain to Lake Erie

2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Matisoff ◽  
Everett C. Bonniwell ◽  
Peter J. Whiting
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Transport ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Agricultural Watersheds

Nutrient Losses and N & P Balances in Small Agricultural Watersheds in Estonia

2003 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvo lital ◽  
Enn Loigu ◽  
Nils Vagstad
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Agricultural Watersheds ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Nutrient Balances ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Nutrient Runoff ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
Data Loggers ◽  
Runoff Regime

The paper deals with nutrient runoff monitoring results and calculated nutrient budgets on catchment level in small agricultural watersheds in Estonia. A special programme for monitoring of nutrient losses was initiated and a network of monitoring stations, equipped with data-loggers and suitable devices for continuous flow measurement and flow-proportional automatic water sampling were established in Estonia in the mid-1990s. The research methodology is harmonized with the Nordic countries as well as with the other Baltic countries. The results indicate that nutrients losses are relatively low (generally below 11 kg N/ha and 0.9 kg P/ha). It can be partly explained by drastic changes in the Estonian agricultural practice in the 1990s but also by differences in runoff regime. Nutrient balances were calculated for two catchments, based on the data collected from the farms, some special studies and water quality monitoring results in two watersheds in 1995 (1999) - 2001. The nutrient balances for the catchments turned positive after being negative both for nitrogen and phosphorus in the mid-1990s.

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