Do land-use patterns influence nest-site selection by burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in northeastern Colorado?

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1038-1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia B Orth ◽  
Patricia L Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Complex Function ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Athene Cunicularia ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Fragmented Landscapes ◽  
Burrowing Owls ◽  
Nest Sites

Populations of western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) are declining. In the Great Plains this decline maybe related to a decline in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns that the owls use for nest sites. One potential cause of prairie dog decline is conversion of native prairie to agriculture. We predicted that owl-occupied prairie dog towns would be in less fragmented landscapes that contain more prairie then owl-unoccupied prairie dog towns. To test this prediction, we used a geographic information system and spatial analysis metrics to examine the landscape within 1000 and 2500 m radius circles surrounding prairie dog towns in the shortgrass prairie in northeastern Colorado. We compared landscape features of irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland, and shortgrass patches around owl-unoccupied (N = 7) and owl-occupied (N = 15) prairie dog towns at these two spatial scales. Contrary to our predictions, at the 2500-m scale burrowing owls prefer to nest in towns surrounded by a landscape in which shortgrass patches were a smaller percentage of the total landscape, relatively far apart from other shortgrass patches, and more numerous then crop patches. At the 1000-m scale owls nested in towns in which shortgrass patches were a smaller percentage of the total surrounding landscape. In Logan County owls may select nest sites in prairie dog towns in more fragmented landscapes because prey availability maybe higher than in less fragmented landscapes and (or) prairie dog control programs may be more active on shortgrass rangelands than in croplands. In addition, the level of fragmentation in our study area (62% of the study area is occupied by native grassland) may not be high enough to have negative consequences on nest occupancy of burrowing owls. However, it is difficult to generalize about the effects of landscape fragmentation on burrowing owls because any effects are probably a complex function of local habitat structure, landscape structure, and local prey and predator availability.

Mountain Plover habitat selection and nest survival in relation to weather variability and spatial attributes of black-tailed prairie dog disturbance

The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney J Duchardt ◽  
Jeffrey L Beck ◽  
David J Augustine
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Nest Failure ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Vegetation Height

Abstract Habitat loss and altered disturbance regimes have led to declines in many species of grassland and sagebrush birds, including the imperiled Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus). In certain parts of their range Mountain Plovers rely almost exclusively on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies as nesting habitat. Previous studies have examined Mountain Plover nest and brood survival on prairie dog colonies, but little is known about how colony size and shape influence these vital rates or patterns of habitat selection. We examined how (1) adult habitat utilization, (2) nest-site selection, and (3) nest success responded to a suite of local- and site-level variables on large prairie dog colony complexes in northeastern Wyoming. Abundance of adult Mountain Plovers was highest on points within older, “medium”-sized (100–500 ha) colonies with high cover of annual forbs and bare ground (5.8 birds km−2), but lower on extremely large (>2,000 ha) colonies (2.1 birds km−2). Nest sites were characterized by high proportions of annual forbs and bare ground and low cactus cover and vegetation height. Nest survival was higher for older nests, and nests with lower cactus cover, and decreased with increasing temperatures. Uncertainty was high for models of daily nest survival, potentially because of 2 competing sources of nest failure: nest depredation and nest abandonment or inviability of eggs. Drivers of these 2 sources of nest failure differed, with inclement weather and higher temperatures associated with nest abandonment or egg inviability. We highlight how prairie dogs alter vegetation structure and bare ground heterogeneously across the landscape, and how this in turn influences bird abundance and nest distribution at different temporal and spatial scales. Furthermore, our work reveals how partitioning the causes of nest failure during nest survival analyses enhances understanding of survival rate covariates.

scholarly journals Demography of the Burrowing Owl in Badlands National Park

1991 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 55-58
Author(s):  
Mark Martell ◽  
Patrick Redig ◽  
Jill Nibe
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Athene Cunicularia ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Burrowing Owls ◽  
Burrowing Owl ◽  
Nest Site Fidelity ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
Badlands National Park

The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), was once widely distributed throughout the western United States and Canada (Bent 1938), and was considered common on the prairie dog towns of South Dakota and Nebraska (Cooke 1888, Over and Thomas 1920). Recently however, concern over the birds status has resulted in its being listed as; "endangered" in two states (MN and lA), "threatened" across its range in Canada, and of "special concern" in seven states (WA, OR, CA, MT, WY, ND, FL) (Martell1990). Land management practices including grazing, shooting, and poisoning on prairie dog colonies, the primary nesting habitat of burrowing owls in the Great Plains, has the potential to greatly affect owl populations. Information on population sizes and trends, the location of wintering areas, and the degree of nest site fidelity is needed to monitor and manage this species on public lands.

The importance of using the proper methodology and spatial scale in the study of habitat selection by birds

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1835-1844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Pribil ◽  
Jaroslav Picman
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Preferences ◽  
Univariate Analyses

Nest-site preferences of birds have traditionally been inferred from correlations between reproductive success and various habitat attributes. Because there are several problems associated with this method, we examined preferences by comparing characteristics of actual nest sites with those of sites available to females at the time of their settlement. We examined these preferences on two spatial scales using the marsh-nesting Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). On the broad spatial scale, univariate analyses established that female settlement was nonrandom with respect to four of five habitat characteristics. However, a multivariate analysis revealed that females settled nonrandomly only with respect to water depth (they preferred areas located in deep water). The other characteristics, including cattail density, were not important. On the narrow spatial scale, females preferred sites located in dense cattail clumps that were surrounded by unusually sparse cattail vegetation. The preference of female redwings for deep-water areas was not detected in an earlier study conducted in the same marsh using the traditional method. In addition, if we were to have examined female preferences on the broad scale only, we would have failed to recognize the importance of cattail density in nest-site selection. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of examining nest-site selection using an appropriate method and multiple spatial scales.

scholarly journals Survival and Movements of Juvenile Burrowing Owls During the Postfledging Period

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Morgan Davies ◽  
Marco Restani
Keyword(s):  
Brood Size ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
First Year ◽  
Juvenile Survival ◽  
Athene Cunicularia ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Burrowing Owls ◽  
Burrowing Owl ◽  
First Year Of Life

AbstractBurrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) populations have declined extensively throughout much of North America, and modeling demography may assist conservation. However, few studies have estimated adult survival, and fewer still have determined juvenile survival. In 2003 and 2004 we monitored survival of 40 radio-tagged juveniles during the postfledging period in the Little Missouri National Grassland, North Dakota, where owls nested in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies. Survival averaged 0.57 (95% CI: 0.41–0.73) prior to autumn migration. Mortality was highest during the first two weeks after nest departure when juveniles were flightless, and two to three weeks later when juveniles became independent. Predation or starvation was implicated in most deaths. Distribution and abundance of escape cover (number of prairie dog burrows within 30 m of nests and size of the natal prairie dog colony) did not affect survival. Body condition and brood size at the time of radio-tagging also did not influence survival. Juvenile owls exhibited nest-centered dispersal, and averaged 108 ± 21 (SE) m and 82 ± 17 m from nests at initiation of migration in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Mean dates of departure from the study area were 2 September (± 3 days) 2003 and 24 August (± 2 days) 2004. Mortality during the postfledging period accounted for approximately two-thirds of mortality in the first year of life.

scholarly journals Do hyperabundant Arctic-nesting geese pose a problem for sympatric species?

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Flemming ◽  
Anna Calvert ◽  
Erica Nol ◽  
Paul A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Generalist Predators ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Risk Of Predation

Arctic-breeding geese are at record high population levels and are causing significant changes to some of their breeding and staging habitats. These changes could influence sympatric wildlife, but the nature and strength of these effects are unknown. Here, we review the interactions between geese and sympatric species and propose future research that could help to fill important knowledge gaps. We suggest that geese may be indirectly affecting other species through changes to nesting habitat, prey availability, and predator–prey interactions. Many ground-nesting Arctic birds prefer vegetated wet tundra habitats that offer concealed nest sites; areas also heavily used by breeding and staging geese. Where goose foraging exceeds the capacity of the plants to regenerate, habitats have shorter graminoids and more exposed substrate, potentially reducing the availability of concealed nest sites for other birds. Studies have documented local reductions in the abundance of these concealed-nesting species, such as shorebirds. Despite the nutrient enrichment contributed by goose feces, habitats heavily altered by geese have also been shown to host a reduced diversity and abundance of some invertebrate groups. In contrast, generalist predators show positive functional and numerical responses to the presence of breeding geese. Therefore, the risk of predation for alternative or incidental prey (e.g., lemmings or small bird nests) is likely elevated within or near breeding colonies. Studies have demonstrated a reduced abundance of small mammals in areas heavily used by geese, but it is unknown whether this is related to shared predators or habitat alteration. Sympatric wildlife could be further affected through higher stress-levels, altered body condition, or other physiological effects, but there is currently no evidence to demonstrate such impacts. Few studies have explored the potential effects of geese at larger spatial scales, but we suggest that hyperabundant geese could result in regional declines in the abundance and diversity of shorebirds and passerines. We recommend coordinated studies across multiple regions to quantify nesting habitat, arthropod communities, and predator–prey interactions in response to nearby goose colonies. To align with current multispecies approaches to conservation, adequate knowledge of the potential effects of hyperabundant goose populations on other wildlife should be a priority.

Long-Term Population Fluctuations of A Burrowing Owl Population On Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl G. Lundblad ◽  
Courtney J. Conway ◽  
Kirsten Cruz-McDonnell ◽  
Dejeanne Doublet ◽  
Martha J. Desmond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Population Fluctuations ◽  
Athene Cunicularia ◽  
Burrowing Owls ◽  
Burrowing Owl ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Complex Population ◽  
Air Force Base

Abstract Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea; hereafter, Burrowing Owls) were once widespread residents of grasslands throughout western North America, but their range has contracted, and abundance has declined in some regions. The causes of declines and geographic variation in population trends of Burrowing Owls are unclear but may be linked to changing land use and urbanization. Burrowing Owls are often found in association with airfields and airports, and their presence at such facilities is sometimes considered to be in conflict with those operations. Documenting the long-term persistence of Burrowing Owls at active airfields can help airfield managers who face decisions regarding compatibility of owls and airfield operations. We report the results of a long-term effort to monitor Burrowing Owls on Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, USA, including the rapid recovery of Burrowing Owl numbers from near-extirpation and the relationships between abundance and other demographic traits. The number of breeding pairs of Burrowing Owls increased from one pair in 2013 to 28 pairs in 2019 and 2020, and the number of fledglings produced increased from one in 2013 to 84 in 2019 and 61 in 2020. The recovery was not uniform across all areas of Kirtland Air Force Base, and some formerly occupied areas remained unoccupied. We documented dispersal outside the Air Force base boundary and that the number of breeding pairs was more strongly influenced by the number of offspring produced in the prior year than the number of owls returning from prior years, which indicated that the population is part of a larger meta-population. Our results demonstrate that the maintenance of Burrowing Owl populations is not necessarily at odds with safe airfield operations, that Burrowing Owls exhibit complex population dynamics, and can rapidly recolonize previously occupied areas if habitat and nest sites remain suitable.

Nesting preferences of common buzzard Buteo buteo and goshawk Accipiter gentilis in forest stands of different structure (Niepolomice Forest, Southern Poland)

Biologia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Bielański
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Forest Road ◽  
Common Buzzard ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nesting Preferences ◽  
Diverse Habitat ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractStudies on nesting preferences of common buzzard and goshawk were carried out in two distinctly different parts of the Niepolomice Forest (S Poland): deciduous (oak-hornbeam wood) and coniferous. Characteristics of nest sites were determined on three spatial scales, separately for: (1) nest tree; (2) nest tree area (0.07 ha circle centred at nest tree) and (3) nest stand (15 ha circle centred at nest tree). Nesting preferences discovered for the nest tree and its surroundings, included height and diameter of trees, age of the forest stand, distance to the nearest open area or forest road and occurrence of open areas in the vicinity of the nest. In the diverse habitat of oak-hornbeam wood, more similar to natural woods, nest site selection operated on several levels, possibly starting at the most extensive end of the scale before narrowing to the selection of a particular nest tree. In the more homogeneous habitat of commercially exploited coniferous forest, the surrounding of the nest were found to be insignificant, and the nesting decisions were likely to be based principally on individual characteristics of a tree i.e. its shape and size, being suitable for nesting.

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

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-735 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Greater Sage-Grouse nest bowls buffer microclimate in a post-megafire landscape although effects on nest survival are marginal

The Condor ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R Anthony ◽  
Christian A Hagen ◽  
Katie M Dugger ◽  
R Dwayne Elmore
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Nest Success ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Sage Grouse ◽  
Burned Areas ◽  
Visual Obstruction

Abstract Temperature at fine spatial scales is an important driver of nest site selection for many avian species during the breeding season and can influence nest success. Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities have areas with high levels of vegetation heterogeneity and high thermal variation; however, fire removes vegetation that provides protection from predators and extreme environmental conditions. To examine the influence of microclimates on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nest site selection and nest success in a fire-affected landscape, we measured black bulb temperature (Tbb) and vegetation attributes (e.g., visual obstruction) at 3 spatial scales (i.e. nest bowl, microsite, and landscape) in unburned and burned areas. Nest bowls exhibited greater buffering of Tbb than both nearby microsites and the broader landscape. Notably, nest bowls were warmer in cold temperatures, and cooler in hot temperatures, than nearby microsites and the broader landscape, regardless of burn stage. Nest survival (NS) was higher for nests in unburned areas compared to nests in burned areas (unburned NS = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33–0.54; burned NS = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.46). The amount of bare ground was negatively associated with NS, but effects diminished as the amount of bare ground reached low levels. Shrub height and visual obstruction were positively associated with NS during the entire study period, whereas minimum Tbb had a weaker effect. Our findings demonstrate that thermoregulatory selection by Greater Sage-Grouse at nest sites had marginal effects on their NS. However, given that increases in vegetation structure (e.g., shrub height) provide thermal refuge and increase NS, vegetation remnants or regeneration in a post-fire landscape could be critical to Greater Sage-Grouse nesting ecology.

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