Nest Predation in the African Blue Tit, Cyanistes teneriffae (Aves, Paridae), Using Nest-Boxes and Artificial Nests

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.

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Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061775 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1775

Author(s):

Savvas Iezekiel ◽

Reuven Yosef ◽

Constantinos Themistokleus ◽

Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis ◽

Christos G. Vlachos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Bird Species ◽

Laying Date ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Breeding Parameters ◽

Island Endemic ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Ecological Requirements ◽

Old Trees

As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.

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

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z99-076 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 77 (7) ◽

pp. 1170-1173 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

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.

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Predation of artificial Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus scrippsi) nests before and after black rat (Rattus rattus) eradication

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892906002608 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 320-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

HOLLY P. JONES ◽

R. WILLIAMHENRY ◽

GREGG R. HOWALD ◽

BERNIE R. TERSHY ◽

DONALD A. CROLL

Keyword(s):

Nest Predation ◽

Life Stage ◽

Deer Mouse ◽

Rattus Rattus ◽

Small Population ◽

Eradication Programme ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Black Rat ◽

Before And After ◽

Synthliboramphus Hypoleucus

Introduced rats depredate every life stage of island nesting seabirds, but the extent of predation is rarely quantified. Introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) and native deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus anacapae) predation on Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus scrippsi) nests was experimentally quantified using artificial nests before and after rat eradication on Anacapa Island (California). The staged rat eradication programme provided experimental treatments: in 2002 rats were eradicated on one island (East Anacapa Islet) and remained on two islands (Middle and West Anacapa Islets), providing a control comparison, and, in 2003, rats were eradicated from the remaining islands (Middle and West Anacapa Islets). In 2002, 96% of artificial nests were depredated on control islands (rats present) with rats accounting for most predation. Nest predation on the treatment island (rats eradicated) in 2002 was significantly lower: 8% of artificial nests were depredated, mostly by endemic deer mice. In 2003, following rat eradication on the remaining islands (Middle and West Anacapa Islets), nest predation was reduced from 96% in 2002 to 3% of total nests in 2003. Predation of nests on East Anacapa Islet (rats eradicated in 2002) increased significantly due to reintroduction and recovery of native deer mouse populations, with 23% of artificial nests depredated. The inference is that rat predation on real Xantus's murrelet nests was responsible for the historically low nesting success and small population sizes of breeding murrelets on Anacapa Island. With rats removed, the hatching success of Xantus's murrelet chicks and the number of individuals nesting on Anacapa Island will increase dramatically. Artificial nest studies are particularly well suited to quantifying introduced rat impacts on hole and crevice nesting seabirds and can simultaneously serve as an effective monitoring tool to detect the presence of rats and the recovery of native nest predators.

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Does adjacent land use affect predation of artificial shrub-nests near eucalypt forest edges?

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr01072 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 127 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

S. Piper ◽

C. P. Catterall ◽

M. F. Olsen

Keyword(s):

Nest Predation ◽

Forest Edges ◽

Study Region ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Edge Type ◽

Site Type ◽

Eucalypt Forest ◽

Forest Remnants ◽

Low Levels ◽

Eucalypt Forests

Edge-related increases in nest-predation levels were tested using artificial nests placed within eucalypt forest remnants at distances of 0, 60, and 235 m from edges adjacent to areas of urban, pasture, and Pinus plantation. There were eight replicate sites of each edge type, scattered widely across a 30 000-km2 study region. Open-cup nests containing one quail egg and two plasticine eggs were placed in shrubs and exposed for 6 days. When predation of the quail egg was used to calculate predation levels, predation varied significantly with edge type but not distance to the edge, due to relatively low levels within sites bordering Pinus plantations. When predation of any egg was used to calculate predation levels, predation was not significantly affected by edge type or distance to the edge. Predation levels within eight independent forest interior transects distributed across the study region, and located 500-800 m from the nearest edge, were similar to those within transects 0 m from edges. Birds were the most important class of predator within all combinations of site type and distance to edge, and accounted for 92% of identified predation overall. These results do not support the existence of edge-related increases in predation of shrub nests within subtropical eucalypt forests.

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

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr01022 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 341 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

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.

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Nestling begging calls increase predation risk by corvids

Animal Biology ◽

10.1163/15707563-20181058 ◽

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.

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An Experimental Test of Snake Skin Use to Deter Nest Predation

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/108.4.963 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (4) ◽

pp. 963-965

Author(s):

Elizabeth C. Medlin ◽

Thomas S. Risch

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Elaphe Obsoleta ◽

Glaucomys Volans ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Adaptive Explanation ◽

Mammalian Predators ◽

Nesting Material ◽

Rat Snake ◽

Southern Flying Squirrel

Abstract Abstract Some bird species utilize snake skins as nesting material, possibly to decrease predation. We constructed 60 artificial nests simulating the nests of Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) in nest boxes to test the prediction that snake skins deter nest predators. Twenty of the boxes lacked rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta) skins (control), 20 had a single skin in the nest, and 20 had a skin in the nest and another displayed outside the box. Five of the control boxes were depredated (20%), while none of the experimental boxes were depredated. Our results supported our prediction that use of snake skins would deter mammalian predators, particularly the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). Although our results suggest a potential adaptive explanation for this behavior, our design did not allow us to address the degree of olfactory or visual detection by the squirrels, and left other potential explanations untested.

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

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/104.3.496 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 104 (3) ◽

pp. 496-506 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

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.

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Is nest predation density dependent? A test using artificial nests

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z92-336 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 70 (12) ◽

pp. 2498-2500 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Leonard Reitsma

Keyword(s):

New Hampshire ◽

Nest Predation ◽

Hardwood Forest ◽

Northern Hardwood Forest ◽

Nest Density ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Density Dependent ◽

Northern Hardwood ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Natural Nest

Experiments using artificial nests to test whether predation varies with nest density were conducted in a northern hardwood forest in New Hampshire in June 1989. Nests were baited with quail eggs and placed at densities similar to and substantially higher than the range of natural nest densities. There was no statistically significant difference in predation levels among densities, but there was a trend for higher predation at the highest density.

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