scholarly journals Visual and Olfactory Attributes of Artificial Nests

The Auk ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila A. Rangen ◽  
Robert G. Clark ◽  
Keith A. Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Weak Tendency

Abstract Artificial nests are commonly used to investigate relative rates of nest predation in birds, but several methodological considerations need to be addressed before results from natural and artificial nests can be compared. Using field and laboratory experiments, we examined responses of predators to visual and olfactory cues that were associated with wicker nests and their contents. Avian predators did not discriminate between wicker nests dipped in mud and those covered by a camouflage fabric, whereas mammalian predators showed a weak tendency to depredate camouflaged nests. Nests containing plasticine eggs were depredated more often than nests containing only quail eggs and finch eggs, although no response to number of plasticine eggs in nests was found. The higher predation of nests with plasticine eggs may have resulted because small mammals, relying on olfactory cues, comprised a large portion of the predator assemblage. Field results were supported in tests where captive deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were attracted to assortments of egg types that included plasticine. Time required by captive deer mice to penetrate quail eggs and finch eggs versus plasticine eggs varied as a function of egg size and shell thickness and strength. Overall, domestic finch eggs provided a better alternative to quail eggs because they were small enough to allow detection of predation events by small mammals and did not have an unnatural odor like plasticine. Potential problems with nest concealment, egg visibility, egg odors, and other factors must be resolved to enhance the design and reliability of artificial nest experiments.

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.

Predation rates of artificial nests in the edge and interior of a southern Victorian forest

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lainie Berry
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Grey Shrike ◽  
Predation Rates

Predation rates of nests at human-induced habitat edges may be greater than in forest interior due to differences in predator assemblages and predator activity. I compared the predation rates on 192 artificial nests containing plasticine eggs placed in forest edge and interior sites at Bunyip State Park, Victoria. The nest-predation rates at the forest edge sites were significantly greater (mean = 52–58%) than that at the forest interior sites (mean = 30–39%). The relative rates of predation by birds compared with mammals were significantly greater at forest edge sites (mean = 78–94%) than at forest interior sites (mean = 36–67%). Higher rates of nest predation at forest edges appeared to be due to greater densities of avian predators such as the grey shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica), and/or lower abundances of small mammals. However, biases towards certain predator types may mask real, or create false, patterns in predation rates of artificial nests. A better understanding of how predators respond to artificial nests compared with natural nests is required. Until then, results of predation studies that use artificial nests should be interpreted with caution.

Predation on different-sized quail eggs in an artificial-nest study in western Newfoundland

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 1170-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith P Lewis ◽  
William A Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Quail ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips

In artificial-nest studies, Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs have been used as surrogates for passerine eggs, although small mammals that prey on passerine eggs may be unable to consume Japanese Quail eggs. To determine the influence of egg size on nest predation in different landscapes on insular Newfoundland, we placed either a Japanese Quail egg or a smaller Chinese Painted Quail (Xexcalfactoris chinensis) egg in artificial ground nests along lakeshore forest edges and along riparian buffer strips. Clay eggs were used to identify nest predators. Levels of predation on nests with Japanese Quail and Chinese Painted Quail eggs were similar. Based on clay eggs, predation was attributed to red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and we found no evidence that smaller mammals preyed on artificial nests. We conclude that the Japanese Quail egg is acceptable for use in artificial-nest studies in Newfoundland, and we discuss the implications of egg size and small mammals in nest-predation experiments.

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.

scholarly journals Investigating how different classes of nest predators respond to the playback of the begging calls of nestling birds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilong Liu ◽  
Qiao Xie ◽  
Aiwu Jiang ◽  
Eben Goodale
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Frequency Components ◽  
Benefits And Costs ◽  
Nest Predators

Abstract Background Begging brings benefits and costs for nestling birds: it can indicate their needs to their parents, but it can also be a cue used by predators to find the nest. The costs, like many variables related to nest predation, can be specific to what kinds of predators are present and their auditory capabilities. These costs and benefits could also be affected by human noise, as noise could disrupt communication to parents and eavesdropping by predators, although human-produced noise might be easily ignored if predators can hear high-frequency components of the begging. We studied nest predation on a generalist bird, the Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus, in a tropical rainforest in which there are many kinds of nest predators, including birds, mammals and reptiles. Results In a total of 160 artificial nests, we broadcast recordings of begging nestlings, with and without traffic noise, at two volume levels. We hypothesized that playback would increase predation relative to a silent control, and that mixing in traffic noise with the begging would decrease predation, as the begging signal was masked. However, we hypothesized that some predators, particularly small mammals with sensitive high-frequency hearing, might ignore the traffic noise. We found that predation was lowest for the control treatment, and lower for treatments mixed with traffic noise than for those without it. Small mammals, however, showed an unexpected pattern, strongly avoiding the treatments with traffic noise. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the human-associated noise can disturb nest predators and influence which kinds of predators use begging to locate nests.

scholarly journals Rodents as Nest Predators: Influences on Predatory Behavior and Consequences to Nesting Birds

The Auk ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 1180-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Bradley ◽  
John M. Marzluff
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Marbled Murrelet ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Nest Predators

Abstract Nest predation is the primary cause of nest failure among birds. As such, it has large consequences on avian populations and is believed to be an important force in the evolution of avian life-history traits. Therefore, using a combination of laboratory and field research, we investigated the potential of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and two species of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus and P. keeni) to be predators on eggs and nestlings of birds, particularly the threatened, canopy nesting Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus). In captivity, both mice and squirrels atempted to prey on eggs and live nestlings of various sizes. Mice atempted to prey on eggs more than nestlings, were more likely to atack nestlings when hungry than when sated, and were more likely to atack small than large nestlings. Individual flying squirrels varied in their propensity to atack but generally were more likely to atempt to open eggs when hungry than when sated. Opening of eggs by both mice and squirrels was limited by egg size. Video monitoring of artificial nests containing live nestlings confirmed that mice prey on large nestlings at canopy nests in Washington State's temperate rainforest. We conclude that mice and flying squirrels are predators of canopy nesting passerines, and their potential as nest predators must be considered to understand the consequences of nest predation.

Small Mammals as Predators of Sawflies

1955 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Buckner
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Neodiprion Abietis ◽  
Ample Opportunity ◽  
Pristiphora Erichsonii ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
One Year

The greatest predatory effect of small mammals is exerted upon insects that spend a portion of their life cycle on the ground or in the soil. Sawflies afford ample opportunity for mammalian predation, since they drop to the ground as mature larvae and spin cocoons in the soil. Such sawflies as Neodiprion abietis Harr., which remain within the cocoon for about three weeks, undergo only moderate risk of being preyed upon by small mammal. However, Pristiphora erichsonii (Htg.) remains within the cocoon from about mid-August until the following June, or even over more than one year, thus greatly extending the vulnerable period. Earlier investigations suggest that small mammals may comprise the largest single biological control agent acting against this insect (Graham 1928, Lejeune 1951), but the exact role of mammalian predators of forest insects has yet to be established.

scholarly journals Oropendola nest predation and rodent consumption by the black-capped capuchin (Sapajus apella) in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Lee ◽  
Michelle Huang
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
First Record ◽  
Foraging Strategy ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Egg Predation ◽  
Sapajus Apella

The Neotropical primate Sapajus apella (Linnaeus, 1758), the black-capped capuchin monkey, is widely distributed across the Amazon basin (Boubli et al., 2020). Capuchins are generalist platyrrhines, occurring in most tropical forest types, where they forage opportunistically (Sabbatini et al., 2008; Lynch Alfaro et al., 2012; Boubli et al., 2020). They exploit a diverse variety of food sources, such as fruit, seeds, arthropods and vertebrate prey including small mammals (Rose, 1997; Resende et al., 2003; Albuquerque et al., 2014). Their foraging strategy is highly resourceful and adaptive, and are often considered as important predators of nests (Canale and Bernardo, 2016), including those of caiman (Torralvo et al., 2017), coatis (Rose, 1997) and especially of birds (Watts, 2020). In this work, we report observations of a foraging event by Sapajus apella that includes the first record of egg predation of the russet-backed oropendola, Psarocolius angustifrons (von Spix, 1824), as well as the predation of arboreal rodents, Oecomys sp. (Thomas, 1906).

scholarly journals Survival probabilities of first and second clutches of blackbird (Turdus merula) in an urban environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 489-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kornelia Kurucz ◽  
Helena Kallenberger ◽  
Csilla Szigeti ◽  
J.J. Purger
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Survival Probability ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Hedera Helix ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The University ◽  
Predation Rates

The breeding success of blackbirds was investigated in April and June 2008 and 2009 in the Botanical Garden of the University of Pecs, with a total of 50 artificial nests at each of the four sessions (with 1 quail egg and 1 plasticine egg placed in every nest). In all four study periods of the two years, 2 nests (4%) were destroyed by predators. Six nests (12%, of the nests) were not discovered in either of the cases. The survival probability of artificial nests was greater in April than in June (both years), but the difference was significant only in 2008. Nests placed into a curtain of ivy (Hedera helix) on a wall were located higher up than those in bushes, yet their predation rates were quite similar. The predation values of quail vs. plasticine eggs did not differ in 2008. In the year 2009, however, significantly more quail eggs were discovered (mostly removed), than plasticine eggs. Marks that were left on plasticine eggs originated mostly from small mammals and small-bodied birds, but the disappearance of a large number of quail and plasticine eggs was probably caused by larger birds, primarily jays.

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