scholarly journals Possible effects of nest predation on the breeding success of Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
JENŐ J. PURGER ◽  
LÍDIA A. MÉSZÁROS
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Nesting Sites

To investigate whether nest predation can influence the breeding success of Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca, artificial nests were used in Nagyberek, the strictly protected swamp pond of the Juniper Woodland Nature Conservation Area (Somogy county, south Hungary). Experimentation lasted for 4 weeks, a similar length of time to the incubation period of Ferruginous Ducks. After 1 week, 80% of nests were intact, after 2 weeks only 46%, and after 3 and 4 weeks only 2% remained undamaged. Nest survival rates were not affected by the width of the sedge stands, but as water levels surrounding nests decreased, nests became more accessible to Wild Boar Sus scrofa and other land mammal predators, which increased the rate of predation. Artificially maintaining water levels would not only decrease the predation rate of nests, but would also maintain feeding areas for ducks. Wild Boar were the main cause of clutch loss in this area, and therefore by management measures, such as a reduction in their abundance or attracting them away from potential nesting sites by providing food elsewhere, the breeding success of the Ferruginous Ducks may be further improved.

scholarly journals Predation on Real and Artificial Nests in Shrubsteppe Landscapes Fragmented by Agriculture

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Matthew Vander Haegen ◽  
Michael A. Schroeder ◽  
Richard M. DeGraaf
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Corvus Corax ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Fragmented Landscapes ◽  
Eastern Washington ◽  
Predation Rates

Abstract Clearing of shrubsteppe communities for agriculture has created a highly fragmented landscape in eastern Washington, a condition that has been shown to adversely affect nesting success of birds in some forest and grassland communities. We used artificial nests monitored by cameras to examine relative effects of fragmentation, distance to edge, and vegetation cover on nest predation rates and to identify predators of shrubsteppe-nesting passerines and grouse. Predation rate for artificial nests was 26% (n = 118). Fragmentation had a strong influence on predation rates for artificial nests, with nests in fragmented landscapes about 9 times more likely to be depredated as those in continuous landscapes. Daily survival rate (± SE) for 207 real nests of 4 passerine species also was greater in continuous (0.978 ± 0.004) than in fragmented (0.962 ± 0.006) landscapes, although pattern of predation between real and artificial nests was not consistent among sites. Artificial nests were depredated by Common Ravens (Corvus corax), Black-billed Magpies (Pica hudsonia), Sage Thrashers (Oreoscoptes montanus), least chipmunks (Tamias minimus), and mice. Most nests in fragments were depredated by corvids (58%), whereas only Sage Thrashers and small mammals depredated nests in continuous landscapes. Increased predation by corvids and lower nest success in fragmented landscapes may have played a part in recent declines of some shrubsteppe birds. Future research should measure annual reproductive success of individual females and survival rates of juveniles and adults. Depredación de Nidos Naturales y Artificiales en Paisajes de Estepa Arbustiva Fragmentados por Agricultura Resumen. El reemplazo de estepa arbustiva por campos de cultivo ha creado un paisaje altamente fragmentado en el este de Washington, afectando adversamente el éxito de nidificación de aves en algunas comunidades de bosque y pastizal. Usamos nidos artificiales monitoreados por cámaras para examinar los efectos relativos de la fragmentación, la distancia al borde y la cobertura de la vegetación sobre las tasas de depredación de nidos, y para identificar los depredadores de paserinos y gallinas silvestres (Phasianidae) que nidifican en la estepa arbustiva. La tasa de depredación de los nidos artificiales fue del 26% (n = 118). La fragmentación tuvo una fuerte influencia en las tasas de depredación de nidos artificiales, ya que los nidos en paisajes fragmentados tuvieron una probabilidad de ser depredados 9 veces mayor que aquellos en paisajes continuos. La tasa de supervivencia diaria (± EE) de 207 nidos naturales pertenecientes a 4 especies de paserinos también fue mayor en paisajes continuos (0.978 ± 0.004) que fragmentados (0.962 ± 0.006), aunque el patrón de depredación entre nidos naturales y artificiales no fue consistente entre sitios. Los nidos artificiales fueron depredados por Corvus corax, Pica hudsonia, Oreoscoptes montanus, Tamias minimus y ratones. La mayoría de los nidos en fragmentos fueron depredados por C. corax (58%), mientras que sólo O. montanus y pequeños mamíferos depredaron nidos en paisajes continuos. Un incremento en la depredación por parte de C. corax y un menor éxito de los nidos en paisajes fragmentados puede haber jugado un rol en la disminución de algunas aves de la estepa arbustiva. Futuras investigaciones deberían medir el éxito reproductivo anual de hembras individuales y las tasas de supervivencia de juveniles y adultos.

scholarly journals Do Repugnant Scents Increase Survival of Ground Nests? A Test with Artificial and Natural Duck Nests

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Vanessa B. Harriman ◽  
Justin A. Pitt ◽  
Serge Larivière
Keyword(s):  
Human Hair ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Ground Nesting ◽  
Predation Rates

Ground-nesting birds typically experience high predation rates on their nests, often by mammalian predators. As such, researchers and wildlife managers have employed numerous techniques to mitigate nest predation. We investigated the use of scents as repellents to deter predators from both artificial and natural ground nests. Survival rates of artificial nests did not differ among six groups of substances (Wald ?2 df = 5 = 4.53, P < 0.48); however the chronology of predation among groups differed. A commercial Coyote urine based deterrent (DEER-D-TERTM), human hair, and Worcestershire sauce were depredated faster than the control (F4,5 = 40.3, P < 0.001). Nest survival of natural nests differed among those groups tested (Wald ?2 df = 2 = 11.8, P < 0.005); the eight mothball treatment decreased survival (Wald ?2 df = 1 = 11.5, P < 0.005), which indicated that novel smells may attract predators or result in duck nest abandonment when coupled with natural duck scent. Chronologies of predation events among treatment groups were not different for natural nests (F2,3 = 1.9, P = 0.22). These findings indicate an interaction between novel scents and predator olfactory cues.

scholarly journals Survival chances of ground nests in three different habitats in Krka National Park (Croatia)

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenő J Purger ◽  
Jasmina Mužinić
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Environmental Gradient ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Damage Rate ◽  
Daily Survival ◽  
Corvus Cornix ◽  
Reed Bed ◽  
Hooded Crows

Background and Purpose: Diverse Mediterranean wetlands sustain a high diversity of breeding birds. Breeding success of birds nesting on protected wetlands along river Krka is also influenced by predators. The aim of our study was to explore effects of predator pressures on ground nests of strictly protected birds using artificial nest located along environmental gradient. Materials and Methods: In May 2004 in locality Čulišićke bare, by placing out three batches of 25 artificially constructed ground nests in three different habitats: reed bed, marsh and meadow. The nests contained three chicken (real) eggs for the evaluation of nest predation rates, and plasticine (artificial) eggs for predator identification from tooth and bill imprints. Results and Conclusions: The number of nests depredated during one week was highest in wetland habitats: 52% was depredated in the marsh and 32% in the reed bed. However, a much lower damage rate (16%) was experienced in the meadow. The daily survival rate of nests did not differ significantly between the reed bed (0.95) and the marsh (0.91). However, the daily survival rates of nests in the meadow (0.98) was significantly higher (z = 2.49 P = 0.01) than in the marsh, bat no difference was found with comparing with the reed bed. Predators were difficult to determine because plasticine eggs usually disappeared from the nests in the reed bed. In the marsh and the meadow, primary predators were smaller birds, whereas small mammals were also important in the marsh. Nests in which predators succeeded in breaking at least one egg were later destroyed most by Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix). To apply these results for bird protection, the breeding success of certain threatened bird species should be monitored for a longer period.

scholarly journals Nestling begging calls increase predation risk by corvids

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-155
Author(s):  
Magne Husby
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Auditory Cues ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Breeding Failure ◽  
Nestling Begging ◽  
Real Costs ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Nest Predators

Abstract Despite nest predation being the most common cause of breeding failure in open-nesting birds, we have little insight into the cues used by nest predators when they search for nests. So far we have assumed that nest-predating birds are visually oriented while mammal predators to a large extent use scent and auditory cues like nestling begging calls. To evaluate how important nestling begging calls are for corvid nest predators searching for nests, I used artificial nests, which made it possible to find the real costs of the begging without mitigation by parental and nestling behavior. I used paired artificial nests, one with and one without nestling begging call playback. Within 10 days, 62.9% of the nests were predated. The analyses showed that nests with begging calls suffered a significantly higher predation rate than nests without begging calls, especially when the nests were placed close to corvid nests. Moreover, nests with begging calls were predated significantly earlier than nests without begging calls. In artificial nest pairs with both nests predated but on different days, nests with begging calls were predated first. In nest pairs with only one predated nest, nests with begging calls were predated most often. This experiment shows that nestling begging calls imply a cost in terms of increased and earlier nest predation, and that corvids use nestling begging calls as a cue to find and depredate bird nests, challenging earlier expectations.

Is the risk of nest predation heterospecifically density-dependent in precocial species belonging to different nesting guilds?

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (12) ◽  
pp. 1164-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Elmberg ◽  
Hannu Pöysä
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Nest Cavity ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Pine Martens ◽  
Cavity Nest ◽  
The One ◽  
Cavity Nests

Nest predation is a key source of mortality and variation in fitness, but the effect co-occurring species belonging to different nesting guilds have on each other’s nest success is poorly understood. By using artificial nests, we tested if predation on cavity nests of Common Goldeneyes ( Bucephala clangula (L., 1758)) is increased in the presence of ground nests of Mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos L., 1758) and vice versa. Specifically, by adding ground nests in the vicinity of cavity nests, we tested the hypothesis that predation on cavity nests is heterospecifically density-dependent. A shared predator, the pine marten ( Martes martes (L., 1758)), was intensively hunted in one of the study areas, but not in the other, leading to most individuals in the former being naïve immigrants. Cavity-nest fate was not affected by addition of ground nests. Similarly, ground-nest survival did not decrease when nearby cavity nests were depredated. Fate of nests in a given nest cavity was highly predictable between years in the study area with minimal removal of pine martens, but not in the one with intensive removal. Predation rate was higher on cavity nests than on ground nests. Predation on ground nests was lower in the study area with intensive removal of pine martens. We conclude there was neither apparent competition between guilds nor heterospecific density-dependence in predation risk.

scholarly journals Evaluation of factors associated with predation on Caiman latirostris nests (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) in Argentina

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Soledad Simoncini ◽  
María Virginia Parachú Marcó ◽  
Thiago Costa Gonçalves Portelinha ◽  
Carlos Ignacio Piña
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
The North ◽  
Natural Predation ◽  
Maternal Presence ◽  
Predation Rates

Predation is a major cause of crocodilian egg loss. However, at present, the mechanisms by which predators detect nests is unknown. Previous studies have reported that predators are able to detect prey using both visual and olfactory cues. This study aims to determine the natural predation rate on Broad-snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris) nests in a “normal” year (i.e., no extreme climatic events) and whether olfactory or visual cues attract predators to caiman nests, and to evaluate the effect of maternal presence on nest predation. In December 2010, we searched for nests in the north of Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Each nest was assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) control nests (nests were observed from a distance to avoid disturbance), (2) visual attraction nests (yellow flagging tapes were tied to vegetation around the nest), (3) olfactory attraction nests (nests were opened, one egg from the clutch was broken, and then the nests were covered again), (4) olfactory attraction from human disturbance (material was manipulated by researchers). The natural predation rate on broad-snouted caiman nests was found to be 21% during the nesting season. Both olfactory and visual cues were associated with increased predation rates, and human disturbance was strongly associated with increased nest predation at terrestrial sites. Predation rates were less at nests attended by female caiman. Management programs that harvest eggs in wild populations (ranching) are predicated on the assumption that removal of some eggs is sustainable, because some will be lost to natural causes (e.g., predation and flooding) and the remaining hatchlings will have improved survival rates. To reduce nest predation of Broad-snouted Caiman between the time when the nest is found and when the eggs are collected, we propose to avoid identification of nest sites with highly visible markings (e.g., flagging tapes tied to vegetation around nests) and to collect eggs immediately after they are found

scholarly journals Artificial Nest Predation and Abundance of Birds Along an Urban Gradient

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 838-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka Jokimäki ◽  
Esa Huhta
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Urban Gradient ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Avian Nest ◽  
Town Center ◽  
The Town

Abstract We studied nest predation pressure on birds along an urban gradient in urban parks in three Finnish towns. Artificial ground nests with Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonicus) eggs were depredated more in the urban area than in the adjacent forest area. Within each town, the nest predation rate was higher in the town center than in the less urbanized area of detached houses. Predation rates did not vary from year to year or between study towns. Abundances of generalist avian predators were higher in the town center than in the area of detached houses and in the surrounding forest area. Most of the nests in the town center were destroyed by avian predators. Predation rate of artificial nests in each of the town areas was higher in managed parks than in unmanaged parks, presumably due to the less dense vegetation in the managed than the unmanaged parks. A test involving covering nests revealed that artificial nests covered by adjacent vegetation survived better than nests with less cover. In our study, artificial nest loss reflected the distribution of avian nest predators. Ground nesters were present at lower abundances in areas where concealing vegetation was missing and avian nest predation was high. Apparently, nest predation is one of the several possible mechanism affecting urban bird assemblages.

Effect of partial cutting on predation risk to artificial bird nests

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1911-1915 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Douglas Steventon ◽  
Peter K Ott ◽  
Kenneth L MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Detectable Difference ◽  
Predation Rates ◽  
Rule Out

Based on relative abundance data, partial cutting has been suggested as a technique to maintain habitat for birds associated with late-seral forests, but there has been little study of partial cutting effects on nesting success. One of the primary limitations to nesting success is nest predation. We compared predation rates (proportion of nests disturbed in a 14-day period) in partially cut (30 or 60% basal area removal), clearcut, and uncut forests in northwestern British Columbia, in two experiments using ground-placed (1993) and shrub-placed (1998) artificial nests. In the ground-nest experiment there was a very low predation rate (0.06) and no detectable difference among treatments (p = 0.403). In the shrub-nest experiment, there was a 0.36 predation rate and little evidence of treatment differences (p = 0.295). Based on 90% confidence intervals for differences in observed predation rate, the 30% removal clearly did not increase predation risk relative to uncut forest. With the 60% removal, however, we cannot rule out a possible increase in predation risk compared with either uncut forest or clearcuts.

scholarly journals Alien predation in wetlands – the Raccoon Dog and water birds breeding success

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petri Nummi ◽  
Veli-Matti Vaananen ◽  
Antti-Juhani Pekkarinen ◽  
Visa Eronen ◽  
Markku Mikkola-Roos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽  
Raccoon Dog ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Predation Experiment ◽  
Hunting Bag ◽  
Fulica Atra ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Raccoon Dogs

Alien predators are known to potentially strongly affect their prey populations. We studied the impact of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) on waterbird breeding success in eight semi-urban wetlands in Finland. We manipulated raccoon dog density in two wetlands by removing individuals (2002 protection year, 2003 and 2004 removal years). We additionally performed nest predation experiments. We monitored raccoon dog density, estimated hunting bag size and observed waterbird breeding success. Our hypothesis predicts that the omnivorous raccoon dog plays a role in waterbird breeding success by depredating nests. Our experiments shown that the raccoon dog hunting bag in eutrophic wetlands may be large, as we removed 8.6–20.0 animals per km2. Both our nest predation experiment and field data indicated that raccoon dogs affect the breeding success of waterbirds. We found a significant relationship between raccoon dog density index and predation rate of the artificial nests, but not between red fox (Vulpes vulpes) density and predation on artificial nests. We did not find an association between raccoon dog abundance and the breeding success of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus). However, our study shows that birds species with different breeding strategies – e.g. great crested grebe, mute swan (Cygnus olor), mallard, Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope), coot (Fulica atra), lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) – when considered together showed higher breeding success both in 2003 and 2004 when compared to breeding success before removal. There was, however, variation in how strongly the species responded to raccoon dog removal. Our results indicate that the removal of alien raccoon dogs can be an important tool in wetland management.                                   Keywords: ducks, invasive species, lapwing, nest predation experiment, Nyctereutes procyonoides, predator removal

scholarly journals Productivity of Ospreys, Pandion haliaetus, Affected by Water Levels Near Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, 1975-2002

2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
C. Stuart Houston ◽  
Frank Scott ◽  
Rob B. Tether
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Lake Levels ◽  
The West ◽  
Canadian Data ◽  
Human Use ◽  
The Town ◽  
Western Half ◽  
Eastern Half

Between 1975 and 2002, diminished breeding success of Ospreys was associated with drought and falling lake levels in the western half of our study area near the town of Loon Lake, west-central Saskatchewan. Only 46% of nest attempts were successful in the west compared to 72% in the east, producing 0.88 young per accessible nest in the west and 1.42 in the east. Breeding success was greater in the eastern half, where water levels were stable, in spite of increased human use of the resort lakes there. Our unique long-term Canadian data base results support Ogden's 1977 prediction that Osprey productivity may decrease when water levels drop and fish populations are reduced.

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