scholarly journals Relations of nesting behavior, nest predators, and nesting success of wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) to habitat characteristics at multiple scales

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary E. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Nesting Behavior ◽  
Hylocichla Mustelina ◽  
Wood Thrushes ◽  
Nest Predators

scholarly journals Avian Nesting Success in Forested Landscapes: Influence of Landscape Composition, Stand and Nest-Patch Microhabitat, and Biotic Interactions

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda D. Rodewald ◽  
Richard H. Yahner ◽  
J. Brawn
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Landscape Composition ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Forested Landscapes ◽  
Daily Nest Survival ◽  
Landscape Types ◽  
Nest Predators

AbstractAlthough area and isolation effects on avian communities in highly fragmented landscapes are well known, importance of landscape composition in more forested landscapes remains poorly understood. We determined if the type (agriculture and silviculture) and extent (percentage within 1 km radius) of disturbance within forested landscapes influenced avian nesting success, and then examined if differences in stand-level habitat structure, nest-patch microhabitat, distance of nests to habitat edges, brood parasitism rates, and nest-predator abundance were potential underlying mechanisms of observed associations between landscape composition and nesting success. We monitored active songbird nests (n = 341), surveyed Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and nest predators, and measured stand-level and nest-patch microhabitat from May–July 1998 and 1999. Each of 10 study sites was located within contiguous mature forest in central Pennsylvania and contained either agricultural or silvicultural disturbances (n = 5 each). Sites of the two landscape types had similar ranges of disturbance within 1 km (21–55% for agriculture, 18–51% for silviculture). Daily nest survival for all species combined (94.0 ± 0.55 in agriculture and 96.9 ± 0.87 in silviculture) and midstory-canopy nesters (93.8 ± 0.97 in agriculture and 97.4 ± 0.75 in silviculture) were greater within forested landscapes disturbed by silviculture than by agriculture, but rates did not significantly differ between landscapes for ground nesters (92.2 ± 1.32 in agriculture and 94.6 ± 1.63 in silviculture) or understory nesters (95.4 ± 1.60 in agriculture and 95.0 ± 1.47 in silviculture). Nest survival was not significantly associated with disturbance extent. Rates of brood parasitism were low, with only 11% of nests containing cowbird eggs or young. Neither nest fate nor differences in daily nest survival between the two landscape types were explained by variation in brood parasitism rates, stand-level or nest-patch habitat characteristics, or distance of nests to edges. Instead, the lower nest success within forested landscapes disturbed by agriculture was best explained by greater abundances of some avian and small mammalian predators (American Crow [Corvus brachyrhynchos] and squirrels) in those landscapes in one or both years. Results suggest that landscape composition within forested landscapes significantly influences avian nesting success by altering interactions between nest predators and nesting birds.

scholarly journals Are Traditional Methods of Determining Nest Predators and Nest Fates Reliable? An Experiment with Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) Using Miniature Video Cameras

The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 1126-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary E. Williams ◽  
Petra Bohall Wood
Keyword(s):  
Hylocichla Mustelina ◽  
Wood Thrush ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Glaucomys Volans ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Video Cameras ◽  
Video Footage ◽  
Infrared Video ◽  
Wood Thrushes ◽  
Nest Predators

AbstractWe used miniature infrared video cameras to monitor Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) nests during 1998–2000. We documented nest predators and examined whether evidence at nests can be used to predict predator identities and nest fates. Fifty-six nests were monitored; 26 failed, with 3 abandoned and 23 depredated. We predicted predator class (avian, mammalian, snake) prior to review of video footage and were incorrect 57% of the time. Birds and mammals were underrepresented whereas snakes were over-represented in our predictions. We documented ≥9 nest-predator species, with the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) taking the most nests (n = 8). During 2000, we predicted fate (fledge or fail) of 27 nests; 23 were classified correctly. Traditional methods of monitoring nests appear to be effective for classifying success or failure of nests, but ineffective at classifying nest predators.

scholarly journals Nest Site Selection and Nesting Success in Saltmarsh Breeding Sparrows: The Importance of Nest Habitat, Timing, and Study Site Differences

The Condor ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 849-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Gjerdrum ◽  
Chris S. Elphick ◽  
Margaret Rubega
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Smooth Cordgrass ◽  
Vegetation Model ◽  
Nest Habitat ◽  
Habitat Differences ◽  
Seaside Sparrow

Abstract We examined nest-site selection and nesting success in Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed (Ammodramus caudacutus) and Seaside Sparrows (A. maritimus), at seven sites in Connecticut. We found 160 Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow nests and 23 Seaside Sparrow nests, and compared characteristics of their locations to each other and to random locations. We tracked success of all nests, quantified nest productivity and causes of nest losses, and tested for habitat differences between successful and unsuccessful nests. Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows nested in higher than average locations, where the vegetation was taller and more dense than at random locations, where there was a deep layer of thatch, and where saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) dominated the vegetation. There was little evidence that habitat characteristics influenced the success of nesting birds, but the timing of nest initiation relative to spring tides was important. Seaside Sparrow nests occurred in even taller vegetation, that was more sparse than average and dominated by the tall form of smooth cordgrass (S. alterniflora). Habitat influenced the success of Seaside Sparrow nests, but timing did not; on average, successful nests occurred in taller vegetation. Model comparisons suggest that vegetation structure influences site selection more than species composition or inherent differences among marshes. Overall, our results indicate that nest flooding is a major threat to successful reproduction in both species, but they have different strategies to avoid flooding. Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows time their reproduction to avoid especially high tides, while Seaside Sparrows avoid flooding spatially by nesting in tall vegetation.

scholarly journals Nest Predators, Nest-Site Selection, and Nesting Success of the Dusky Flycatcher in a Managed Ponderosa Pine Forest

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Liebezeit ◽  
T. Luke George
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Potential Prey ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Dusky Flycatcher ◽  
Shrub Patches ◽  
Empidonax Oberholseri ◽  
Nest Predators

AbstractAmong hypotheses explaining nest-site selection, the potential-prey-site hypothesis predicts that birds place nests in areas with many potential nest sites, while the nest-concealment hypothesis predicts nest placement in sites with greater surrounding vegetation. We examined these hypotheses by comparing habitat attributes between Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) nest sites and random sites, successful and unsuccessful nests, and nests depredated by birds versus mammals. Nesting success was 28% (n = 167), and predation was the most important cause of nest failure (96%) during the study (1998–2000) at our site in northeastern California. We identified 28 nest predators using surveillance cameras. Sciurid mammals were the most common predators (17 of 28, 61%), with Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii; 25%), small owls (11%), and Steller's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri; 3%) accounting for the rest. Raptors preyed on nestlings more frequently than on eggs, while small mammals depredated nestlings and eggs in proportion to their availability. Dusky Flycatchers nested in larger shrub patches with greater shrub cover than at random sites, supporting the potential-prey-site hypothesis. Successful nests were in larger shrub patches surrounded by fewer seedlings and saplings compared to depredated nests, providing equivocal support for the potential-prey-site hypothesis. Nests depredated by birds were less concealed, located in smaller shrub patches, surrounded by fewer seedlings and saplings, and were closer to the shrub edge than nests depredated by mammals. Our results, strengthened by identification of nest predators, suggest that differences in search strategies among predators may constrain the ability of Dusky Flycatchers to optimize nest-site selection.Depredadores de Nidos, Selección de Sitios de Anidación y Éxito de Anidación de Empidonax oberholseri en un Bosque Manejado de Pino PonderosaResumen. Entre las hipótesis que explican la selección de sitios de anidación, la de “presa potencial” predice que las aves ubican sus nidos en lugares con muchos sitios de anidación, mientras que la de “ocultación del nido” predice la ubicación de nidos en sitios con mayor vegetación circundante. Nosotros examinamos estas hipótesis comparando características del hábitat entre sitios de anidación del mosquerito Empidonax oberholseri y sitios aleatorios, entre nidos exitosos y no exitosos, y entre nidos depredados por aves y por mamíferos. Entre 1998 y 2000 en un área del noreste de California, el éxito de anidación fue del 28% (n = 167) y la depredación fue la causa más importante del fracaso de los nidos (96%). Identificamos 28 depredadores de nidos utilizando cámaras. Los mamíferos sciúridos fueron los depredadores más comunes (17 de 28, 61%), mientras que los demás nidos fueron depredados por Accipter cooperii (25%), búhos pequeños (11%) y Cyanocitta stelleri (3%). Las aves rapaces se alimentaron con mayor frecuencia de pichones que de huevos, mientras que los mamíferos pequeños depredaron pichones y huevos en proporción a su disponibilidad. Los mosqueritos anidaron en parches con mayor cobertura de arbustos que sitios aleatorios, lo cual apoya la hipótesis de presa potencial. Los nidos exitosos se ubicaron en parches de arbustos más grandes rodeados por menos plántulas y renovales en comparación con los nidos depredados, lo que apoya equívocamente la hipótesis de presa potencial. Los nidos depredados por aves estuvieron menos ocultos, ubicados en parches de arbustos más pequeños, rodeados por menos plántulas y renovales, y estuvieron más cerca del borde del matorral que los nidos depredados por mamíferos. Nuestros resultados, fortalecidos por la identificación de los depredadores, sugieren que las diferencias en las estrategias de búsqueda entre depredadores pueden limitar la habilidad de los mosqueritos para optimizar la selección de sitios de anidación.

scholarly journals Wood Thrush Movements and Habitat Use: Effects of Forest Management for Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers

The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D. Lang ◽  
Larkin A. Powell ◽  
David G. Krementz ◽  
Michael J. Conroy
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Picoides Borealis ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Hylocichla Mustelina ◽  
Wood Thrush ◽  
Dispersal Distances ◽  
Wood Thrushes

Abstract We monitored adult and juvenile breeding-season movements and habitat use of radio-tagged Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, central Georgia, USA. We investigated the effects that management for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis), thinning and burning >30 year old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) habitat, had on Wood Thrushes, a ground-foraging and midstory-nesting species. Adult Wood Thrush pairs regularly moved long distances between nesting attempts (range 1 to 17,388 m). The only experimental effect we found on adult movements was a decrease in weekly emigration rates (Ψ) from thinned and burned compartments after silvicultural management. Adult males preferred riparian hardwoods with sparse to moderate cover and those preferences increased following management. Juveniles remained near their nest site (x̄ = 177 m, SE = 113) for an average 24 days (SE = 6.3), and then dispersed a mean 2,189 m (SE = 342). Before dispersal, juveniles preferred upland hardwood–pine mixed habitat (P < 0.05) with moderate overstory cover (P < 0.05). We found no management effects on dispersal distances or predispersal habitat use. However, juveniles from thinned and burned compartments dispersed to hardwood habitats with dense cover, whereas birds from control compartments dispersed to pine-dominated habitats with sparse cover. All juveniles dispersed to areas with habitat similar to what they used before dispersal. Small-scale thinning and burning for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers may have had little effect on Wood Thrush habitat use and movements because typical movements were often larger than the scale (stand or compartment) targeted for management.

Homing behavior of wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina)

1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth P. Able ◽  
William F. Gergits ◽  
Jeffrey D. Cherry ◽  
Scott B. Terrill
Keyword(s):  
Hylocichla Mustelina ◽  
Homing Behavior ◽  
Wood Thrushes

Song learning in the wood thrush

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1038-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl L. Whitney ◽  
Joan Miller
Keyword(s):  
Song Learning ◽  
Hylocichla Mustelina ◽  
Wood Thrush ◽  
Young Males ◽  
The Third ◽  
Structural Types ◽  
Wood Thrushes

A typical wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) song has three phrases. The first (A) is a series of low pitched sounds, the second (B) consists of loud flutelike notes, and the third (C) is usually a trill. Males have repertoires of two to eight different B phrases, which they use in different songs. In a previous study, males reared in isolation of adult song developed songs that were normal except for the structure of the B phrases. We tutored young males (at age 20–80 days) with recorded B phrases. The phrases were of four previously defined structural types, with four variants of each type, giving a total of 16 phrases. The variants of each type differed only in frequency (Hz). The objectives of the experiment were to determine (i) if wood thrushes copy the structure of B phrases that they hear as juveniles, and (ii) if they copy selectively in such a way as to develop repertoires of highly contrasting phrases. Results were obtained for five males. The B phrase repertoires developed by four subjects consisted entirely of phrases (N = 17) copied from the tutor tape. The repertoire of the fifth subject was of phrases (N = 4) that appeared not to be copied. The males that copied from the tutor tape showed no tendency to develop repertoires of highly contrasting B phrases. Three of the four males developed multiple versions of one or more phrase types, while ignoring other types, and in some cases these versions were very similar in frequency and other details of structure.

Rainbow trout movement behavior and habitat occupancy are influenced by sex and Pacific salmon presence in an Alaska river system

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Fraley ◽  
Jeffrey A. Falke ◽  
Megan V. McPhee ◽  
Anupma Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
River System ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Multiscale Approach ◽  
Habitat Occupancy ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Movement Distance

We used spatially continuous field-measured and remotely sensed aquatic habitat characteristics paired with weekly ground-based telemetry tracking and snorkel surveys to describe movements and habitat occupancy of adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (N = 82) in a runoff-fed, salmon-influenced southcentral Alaska river system. We found that during the ice-free feeding season (June through September) rainbow trout occurrence was associated more with fine-scale (channel unit) characteristics relative to coarse-scale (stream reach) variables. The presence of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp., which provide an important seasonal food subsidy) and habitat size were particularly useful predictors. Weekly movement distance differed between pre- and postspawning salmon arrival, but did not vary by sex. Habitat quality, season, and the arrival of spawning salmon influenced the likelihood of rainbow trout movement, and fish moved farther to seek out higher-quality habitats. Because rainbow trout respond to habitat factors at multiple scales and seek out salmon-derived subsidies, it will be important to take a multiscale approach in protecting trout and salmon populations and managing the associated fisheries.

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