A comparison of the breeding ecology of a secondary cavity nesting bird, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), in nest boxes and natural cavities

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raleigh J. Robertson ◽  
Wallace B. Rendell
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Second Year

Several studies concerned with mate choice, reproductive performance, and life history strategies have been conducted with secondary cavity nesting birds breeding in nest boxes. Although the need for comparative studies has been recognized, populations breeding in nest boxes often have not been compared with those breeding in natural cavities. We compared the ecology of Tree Swallows breeding in nest boxes and natural cavities to determine if nest box populations of Tree Swallows are accurate models of natural populations. Two nest site characteristics, nest site dispersion and cavity height, were similar for birds in both nesting environments. Greater cavity entrance area at natural cavities resulted in increased interspecific competition in natural populations, involving larger competitors, more species, and a greater abundance of each species. Clutch size was smaller in natural cavities compared with nest boxes, likely because floor area was smaller in natural cavities. Fledging success did not differ between populations. Disproportionately more after-second-year females bred in nest boxes, and more second-year females bred in natural cavities, as estimated by a model of Tree Swallow survivorship. Tree Swallows settle at nest boxes before natural cavities in our study area, perhaps as a result of the greater potential for reproductive success and reduced interspecific competition in the nest boxes as opposed to natural cavities. For some aspects of the ecology of secondary cavity nesters, nest boxes do not provide an accurate representation of natural populations. Therefore, evolutionary interpretations of nest box studies should be compared with observations of birds in natural environments.

scholarly journals Nest decoration: birds exploit a fear of feathers to guard their nest from usurpation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Slagsvold ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Tree Swallow ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Structural Support ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Nest Usurpation ◽  
Nest Materials

Many species of birds incorporate feathers into their nest as structural support and to insulate the eggs or offspring. Here, we investigated the novel idea that birds reduce the risk of nest usurpation by decorating it with feathers to trigger a fear response in their rivals. We let prospecting birds choose between a dyad of nest-boxes in the wild, both containing some nest materials, but where one had a few white feathers and the other had none. All three species of cavity-nesting birds studied, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca , the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus , and the tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor , hesitated to enter boxes with white feathers. A similar avoidance of white feathers was found when the alternative nest-box of a dyad held black feathers. However, the birds readily collected white feathers that we placed in front of their nest-box, showing the fear of such feathers was context-dependent. We suggest that naive prospecting birds may perceive feathers in nests as the result of a predation event, and that owners decorate nests with bright feathers that can be seen from the opening to deter others from entering.

Effects of urbanization and nest box design on reproduction vary by species in three cavity-nesting passerines in the Okanagan Valley

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Dale ◽  
Matthew W Reudink ◽  
Laurene M Ratcliffe ◽  
Ann E McKellar
Keyword(s):  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Western Bluebirds ◽  
Mountain Bluebirds ◽  
Artificial Nest Boxes ◽  
Okanagan Valley

Artificial nest boxes provide an important resource for secondary cavity-nesting passerines, whose populations may be limited by the availability of nesting sites. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the design and placement of boxes may affect the reproductive success of the birds that use them. In this study, we asked whether the habitat surrounding a nest box or the type of box influenced reproduction in three cavity-nesting passerines. We studied western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana Swainson, 1832), mountain bluebirds (S. currucoides Bechstein, 1798), and tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor Vieillot, 1808) breeding in artificial nest boxes at sites across 70 km of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Sites varied in their degree of urbanization, from relatively undisturbed ranchland, to cultivated vineyards, to frequently disturbed ‘suburban’ habitat, and boxes varied in type of entrance (slot or hole). Western bluebirds nested earlier in vineyards, and tree swallows produced significantly fewer fledglings in suburban habitat. In addition, tree swallows nested earlier and produced more fledglings in slot boxes. Our results suggest that conservation actions for cavity-nesting passerines may depend on the target species, which in turn should dictate the appropriate box type and habitat when erecting or replacing nest boxes.

Are avian ectoparasites more numerous in nest boxes with old nest material?

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1819-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace B. Rendell ◽  
Nicolaas A. M. Verbeek
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Winter Survival ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Ornithonyssus Sylviarum ◽  
Nest Microclimate ◽  
One Year

Researchers may reduce the numbers of haematophagous ectoparasites in nest boxes of cavity-nesting birds by removing old nests from boxes and, as a result, eliminate an important selective pressure that could influence the results from nest-box studies of birds. We recorded the numbers of parasites in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) boxes in which we manipulated the presence, amount, and quality of old nests. Bird fleas (Ceratophyllus idius) were more numerous in boxes with old nests, and there was a positive correlation between nest volume and flea numbers. In one year, there was a positive association between fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) numbers and nest volume; otherwise, fowl mites and blow flies (Protocalliphora sialia) were equally numerous in all nest types. We conclude that ectoparasites whose over-winter survival depends on old nests are more numerous in boxes with old nests, whereas parasites whose over-winter survival is independent of old nests infect nest sites randomly. Also, reinfection and nest microclimate likely contributed to variance in parasite numbers between nest types and years, respectively. We recommend caution when speculating about the possible effects of cleaning boxes on parasites that occur in nests because different species of parasites are not influenced similarly by old nests.

scholarly journals Individual Nest Site Preferences Do Not Explain Upslope Population Shifts of a Secondary Cavity-Nesting Species

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2457
Author(s):  
Elisa J. Abeyta ◽  
Andrew W. Bartlow ◽  
Charles D. Hathcock ◽  
Jeanne M. Fair
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nesting Behavior ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Site Preferences ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Sialia Mexicana ◽  
Large Nest ◽  
Nest Site Preferences

Geographic ranges of plants and animals are shifting due to environmental change. While some species are shifting towards the poles and upslope in elevation, the processes leading to these patterns are not well known. We analyzed 22 years of western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) data from a large nest box network in northern New Mexico at elevations between 1860 m and 2750 m. This population has shifted to higher elevations over time, but whether this is due to changes in nesting behavior and preference for higher elevation within the population or driven by immigration is unclear. We banded adults and nestlings from nest boxes and examined nesting location and elevation for individual birds captured two or more times. Most recaptured birds nested at the same nest boxes in subsequent years, and the number of birds that moved upslope did not significantly differ from the number that moved downslope. Fledglings moved greater distances and elevations than adults, but these movements were not upslope specific. Female fledglings showed greater changes in elevation and distance compared to male fledglings, but again, movements were not consistently upslope. The upslope shift in this population may be due to birds immigrating into the population and not from changes in individual nesting behavior.

scholarly journals Old nest material functions as an informative cue in making nest-site selection decisions in the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingju E ◽  
Tuo Wang ◽  
Shangyu Wang ◽  
Ye Gong ◽  
Jiangping Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Falco Tinnunculus ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Nest Materials ◽  
Organic Remains

Abstract Background For secondary cavity-nesting bird species that do not add lining materials to nests, the presence of old nest material or organic remains that have accumulated within nest cavities from previous breeding events may be a cue of nest-site quality. These materials potentially contain information about past breeding success in con- and heterospecifics and may improve the thermal insulation of eggs during incubation. However, few studies have addressed whether the presence of old nest materials serves as a cue for cavity-nesting raptors when choosing specific nest sites. Methods We conducted a 9-year nest box experiment to test whether old nest materials from con- and heterospecifics serve as informative cues to the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) when making nest selection decisions, as this species uses nest boxes without adding nesting material. Results The presence of old nest materials and entrance size best discriminated nest boxes occupied by European Kestrels from unoccupied boxes. Nest boxes containing conspecific organic remains, artificial dry leaf and branch material, and material left behind by Great Tits (Parus major) were reused at higher rates, especially those containing conspecific nest material, than nest boxes containing true or simulated nest materials from predators. In 2010, no single nest box was occupied by the same banded individual that occupied the box in the previous year (10 females and 2 males were banded in 2009). Conclusions European Kestrels preferred nest boxes containing old nest material over empty boxes, which is consistent with previous findings that they exploit con- and heterospecific cues when deciding where to settle and breed, as old nest or organic material provides substrate for incubating females. Kestrels may be able to assess the predation risks associated with a specific nest site based on experience or the presence of prey remains. The repeated use of nest boxes across breeding seasons by kestrels cannot be entirely ascribed to philopatry. This study provides evidence that old nest materials are potentially used as informative cues when making nest-site selection decisions in European Kestrels.

scholarly journals Short-term exposure to unmanned aerial vehicles does not alter stress responses in breeding tree swallows

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley D Scholten ◽  
Abigail R Beard ◽  
Hyeryeong Choi ◽  
Dena M Baker ◽  
Margaret E Caulfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Control Object ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Avian Behavior ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
First Results

Abstract Recent studies suggest that visual and acoustic anthropogenic disturbances can cause physiological stress in animals. Human-induced stress may be particularly problematic for birds as new technologies, such as drones, increasingly invade their low-altitude air space. Although professional and recreational drone usage is increasing rapidly, there is little information on how drones affect avian behavior and physiology. We examined the effects of drone activity on behavior and physiology in adult, box-nesting tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Specifically, we monitored bird behavior during drone flights and in response to a control object and measured telomere lengths and corticosterone levels as indicators of longer-term physiological stress. We predicted that drone-exposed tree swallows would habituate behaviorally after multiple flights, but that telomeres would shorten more quickly and that baseline corticosterone levels would be altered. One significant and two strong, non-significant trends in behavioral assays indicated that adult swallows acted more aggressively towards drone presence compared to a control object, but were slower to approach the drone initially. Swallows were also more reluctant to use nest boxes during drone activity. Tree swallows habituated to drone presence as expected, although the rate of habituation often did not differ between drone-exposed and control groups. Contrary to our prediction, drone activity did not affect telomere length, corticosterone levels, body mass or fledging rates. Overall, our results indicate that a small number of short, targeted, drone flights do not impact tree swallow health or productivity differently than a non-invasive control object. Minor behavioral differences suggest that increasing the frequency of drone use could impact this species. We provide some of the first results addressing how drone activity alters behavioral, physiological and molecular responses to stress in songbirds. A better understanding of these impacts will allow ecologists to make more informed decisions on the use and regulation of new drone technologies.

Ectoparasites, nestling growth, parental feeding rates, and begging intensity of tree swallows

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista Thomas ◽  
Dave Shutler
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Blow Fly ◽  
Nestling Growth ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Parental Feeding ◽  
Nestling Begging

Many studies fail to show relationships between ectoparasite loads and nestling growth rates. One explanation is that parent birds increase feeding rates to compensate for nestling energetic losses to ectoparasites. Nestling begging behaviours could signal need to parents. Accordingly, we tested whether higher flea and blow fly loads in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nests were associated with smaller nestlings, higher parental feeding rates, and increased nestling begging intensity. The study area was the Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. When nestlings were 10 days old, parental feeding rates and nestling begging intensity were measured with tape recorders. At 13 days of age, nestlings were weighed and measured. Within 2 days of fledging, nest material was removed from nest boxes and enumerated for adult fleas and blow fly pupae. After including brood size and date of first egg as covariates in general linear models, no significant relationships were found between ectoparasite loads and nestling size, parental feeding rate, or nestling begging intensity. Our results suggest that nestling tree swallows were able to buffer the effects of naturally occurring ectoparasite loads without significant help from their parents. Low levels of virulence may have resulted from relatively benign weather during the study, low numbers of ectoparasites, selection on ectoparasites to avoid killing their hosts, and host defences.

Size, condition, and territory ownership in male tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Lozano
Keyword(s):  
Dry Mass ◽  
Nutritional Condition ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Resource Holding Potential ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Male Tree ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Size Condition

Male tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) territory owners and floaters were compared in terms of size and nutritional condition to test the resource holding potential hypothesis. Owners were larger than floaters when compared using six morphological measurements. There were no differences in dry mass, ash, or fat content, but territory owners were heavier and had larger protein reserves than floaters. Territory owners may be those individuals who win intrasexual conflicts for the possession of nest boxes, or those who, because of their better nutritional condition, can arrive at the breeding grounds earlier to secure a territory.

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