Site selection and repeatability in Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism of Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nests

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 1518-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E Hauber
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Molothrus Ater ◽  
Structural Failure ◽  
Sayornis Phoebe ◽  
Eastern Phoebe ◽  
Site Discrimination

The reproductive success of obligate brood parasitic birds depends on their ability to seek out heterospecific nests. Some nests are more suitable for parasitism than others and, for example, parasitic females may benefit from laying eggs preferentially and repeatedly at safer sites. Observations on patterns of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism on Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) across 2 years suggested that parasitism occurred at above chance levels during the first rather than the second nesting attempts and at nests located under eaves rather than bridges. Previously parasitized nests were more likely to be parasitized again in the subsequent breeding season. Sites under eaves and bridges did not differ in whether Brown-headed Cowbirds could be detected in the proximity of the nest. However, nests from first nesting attempts and nests under eaves were less likely to be lost as a result of structural failure of the Eastern Phoebe's mud nest. These data suggest that site discrimination by Brown-headed Cowbirds leads to adaptive patterns of parasitism among available Eastern Phoebe nests.

scholarly journals Within-Season Prevalence of Extrapair Young in Broods of Double-Brooded and Mate-Faithful Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis Phoebe) in Indiana

The Auk ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 1054-1061
Author(s):  
Amanda S. Beheler ◽  
Olin E. Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Paternity Analysis ◽  
Pair Bond ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Intraspecific Brood Parasitism ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Sayornis Phoebe ◽  
Eastern Phoebe

Abstract We examined prevalence of extrapair young (EPY) between first and second broods of a multibrooded passerine, Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). During the 1998–2000 field seasons, we conducted behavioral observations to assign social parentage to offspring in nests and then conducted paternity analysis on a subset of social families where (1) the male and female maintained their pair bond for all broods within the breeding season, and (2) adults successfully fledged their first brood and subsequently attempted a second brood within the same breeding season. We used three hypervariable microsatellite loci to document the presence and frequency of EPY in first and second brood offspring from 87 social family units where all individuals had been sampled (n = 174 broods, n = 81 social males, n = 82 social females, n = 769 offspring). Although the majority of pairs were both socially and genetically monogamous within a breeding season, 17.2% (15 of 87 families) of all families had EPY in at least one brood and we found two cases of intraspecific brood parasitism. Overall, 9.2% of all broods (16 of 174 broods) contained EPY and 5.1% of all nestlings that hatched were EPY (39 of 769 nestlings). Second broods were more likely to contain EPY than first broods (4.6% first broods with EPY [4 of 87], 13.8% second broods with EPY [12 of 87]). The total number of EPY was greater in second broods than in first broods (1.0% EPY [4 of 411 nestlings] in first broods, 9.8% EPY [35 of 358 nestlings] in second broods).

scholarly journals Weather conditions explain reproductive success and advancement of the breeding season in Western Capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus )

Ibis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Coppes ◽  
Jim‐Lino Kämmerle ◽  
Karl‐Eugen Schroth ◽  
Veronika Braunisch ◽  
Rudi Suchant
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Tetrao Urogallus

Not only big bulls. Correlation between morphometry, reproductive success, and testosterone level in a flooded savannah population of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leidy Alejandra Barragan Contreras ◽  
Rafael Antelo ◽  
Adolfo Amezquita
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Caiman Crocodilus ◽  
Paternity Tests ◽  
Hourly Basis

Testosterone is a steroid hormone involved in the expression of many morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits that arguably affect reproductive success. The evidence for that link is, however, incomplete or absent in the research on crocodylian species. Testosterone levels are also known to change throughout the breeding season, often on an hourly basis, which may further complicate studying their relationship with breeding success. We tested here whether baseline testosterone levels, measured out of the breeding season, are correlated with morphometry and reproductive success in Caiman crocodilus (LINNAEUS, 1758). Paternity tests, based on the amplification and genotyping of eight fluorochrome labeled microsatellites, failed to support a continuous relationship between these variables. Although adult males of all sizes contribute to reproduction, paternity was overrepresented in a few males with high values of maleness index (bigger males), supporting a despotic or pyramidal hierarchy among males. Maternity assignments supported the existence of multiple paternity, a phenomenon previously attributed in this species to the lack of large males caused by human hunting. The idea of larger males having more offspring is widespread in crocodylians, but to our knowledge, this is the first investigation that prove this dogma.

Energy Expenditure in Reproductive Effort of Male and Female Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

The Auk ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne H. Brunton
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Mating Effort ◽  
Parental Effort ◽  
Nest Failure ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Charadrius Vociferus

Abstract The reproductive investment strategies of the sexes during the breeding season are detailed for Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), a monogamous plover. I measured the energy investments of the sexes in reproductive, mating, and parental effort. As predicted, males expend more mating effort than females; however, the sexes expend equal amounts of parental effort. Total energy expenditure in reproductive effort (mating and parental effort) during a successful nesting attempt was also equal for the sexes. However, early parental effort expenditures by females, early mating effort expenditures by males, and high rates of nest failure combine to result in female reproductive energy expenditures being significantly higher over the breeding season. This suggests that energy expenditure alone is not adequate for accurate comparisons of the relative investments of the sexes. Studies investigating male and female investments need to consider the degree and pattern of nest failures along with patterns of energy expenditure. The advantages to male and female Killdeer of sharing parental care is demonstrated using adult removal experiments. In general, a deserted parent expends more energy in parental effort than a bi-parental parent and has significantly lower reproductive success. However, males are able to hatch chicks, whereas females lose or abandon their nests within a few days of mate removal. Thus, monogamy in Killdeer appears to result from high nest failure rates, the necessity of two parents for any reproductive success, and the generalizable nature of Killdeer parental care.

Nest Site Selection and Consequences for Reproductive Success of the Endangered Mariana Crow (Corvus kubaryi)

2011 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee Robinette Ha ◽  
John M. Morton ◽  
James C. Ha ◽  
Lainie Berry ◽  
Sheldon Plentovich
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection

Nest-site selection in the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica: What predicts seasonal reproductive success?

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 1533-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Jo Safran
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Site Characteristics

Despite hundreds of studies, we know very little about the causes and fitness-related consequences of nest-site selection. For example, it is not typically known whether the rarely reported fitness consequences of site selection are the result of nest, individual, or nest-site variables or combinations of these factors. Reuse of previously constructed nest sites is a prevalent behavior in many animals and offers the opportunity to experimentally tease apart whether seasonal reproductive success is a function of nest, individual, or nest-site characteristics. I used observational and experimental data to test three hypotheses related to these factors in association with barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica L., 1758) nest reuse. While both nest and individual characteristics explain variation in seasonal reproductive success, nest location per se is not an important factor defining the outcome of nest-site selection. Whereas traits related to habitat and individual characteristics are likely confounded in correlational studies, my experiments demonstrate a causal relationship between seasonal reproductive success and aspects of the nest and individual, the latter explaining more variation in the model than nest characteristics. Knowledge of the relative roles of individual, nest, and nest-site attributes are important for understanding the causes and consequences of habitat selection behavior.

Diving behaviour during the breeding season in the terrestrially breeding male grey seal: implications for alternative mating tactics

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 1025-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian C Lidgard ◽  
Daryl J Boness ◽  
W Don Bowen ◽  
Jim I McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Diving Behaviour ◽  
Halichoerus Grypus ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Alternative Mating Tactics ◽  
Grey Seal ◽  
Mating Tactics

We examined the diving behaviour of breeding male grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) at Sable Island, Nova Scotia, from 1997 to 2001. The proportion of time spent at sea varied between 0 and 78% (N = 30). Males engaged in deep (43.4 ± 3.3 m (mean ± SE), N = 27) diving, and these dives were clustered into bouts, which mostly occurred during long trips (62.2 ± 14.7 h). We suggest that males spent time foraging during deep dives. Shallow diving (5.9 ± 0.1 m, N = 27) accounted for 40.8% of dives, which were also clustered into bouts that mostly occurred during short trips (2.1 ± 0.37 h). We suggest that shallow diving comprised a suite of behaviours, but included little foraging behaviour. Phenotypic traits had little influence on diving behaviour. Further work is required to understand the extent to which foraging behaviour enhances reproductive success, and whether shallow diving is a component of the mating tactics of male grey seals at Sable Island.

scholarly journals There goes the neighborhood: White-crowned Sparrow nest site selection and reproductive success as local density declines

The Condor ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Porzig ◽  
Nathaniel E. Seavy ◽  
John M. Eadie ◽  
Thomas Gardali ◽  
Diana L. Humple ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Local Density ◽  
Nest Site Selection
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