Pre- and post-experimental manipulation assessments confirm the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes

Secondary cavity nesting (SCN) birds breed in holes that they do not excavate themselves. This is possible where there are large trees whose size and age permit the digging of holes by primary excavators and only rarely happens in forest plantations, where we expected a deficit of both breeding holes and SCN species. We assessed whether the availability of tree cavities influenced the number of SCNs in two temperate forest types, and evaluated the change in number of SCNs after adding nest boxes. First, we counted all cavities within each of our 25-m radius sampling points in mature and young forest plots during 2009. We then added nest boxes at standardised locations during 2010 and 2011 and conducted fortnightly bird counts (January–October 2009–2011). In 2011 we added two extra plots of each forest type, where we also conducted bird counts. Prior to adding nest boxes, counts revealed more SCNs in mature than in young forest. Following the addition of nest boxes, the number of SCNs increased significantly in the points with nest boxes in both types of forest. Counts in 2011 confirmed the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes. Given the likely benefits associated with a richer bird community we propose that, as is routinely done in some countries, forest management programs preserve old tree stumps and add nest boxes to forest plantations in order to increase bird numbers and bird community diversity.

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Small mammals in nests of cavity-nesting birds: Why should ornithologists study rodents?

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z07-139 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (4) ◽

pp. 286-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

D. Czeszczewik ◽

W. Walankiewicz ◽

M. Stańska

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Breeding Ecology ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Tree Cavities ◽

Cavity Nesters ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Yellow Necked Mouse

We analyze the frequency of occurrence of small mammals recorded in natural cavities and nest boxes in the Białowieża Forest (eastern Poland) and also describe some parameters of tree cavities. A total of 748 cavities and 60 nest boxes in primeval tree stands and 190 nest boxes in managed tree stands were monitored. Both cavities and nest boxes in primeval stands were occupied by mammals less often than nest boxes in managed stands (0.70%, 0.12%, and 1.26%, respectively). The following mammal species were recorded in natural cavities: Eurasian red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris L., 1758), forest dormouse ( Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1778)), yellow-necked mouse ( Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834)), and bats (Microchiroptera species). Three mammalian species were recorded in nest boxes: forest dormouse, fat dormouse ( Myoxus glis (L., 1766)), and yellow-necked mouse. The attractiveness of the boxes for mammals increases in managed forests, probably because of a shortage of natural cavities. We suggest that the role of rodents in the breeding ecology of cavity-nesters is underestimated, since studies on natural cavities are rather rare and the species identities of nest predators are most likely poorly recognized. To understand the breeding ecology of birds, ornithologists should study the population dynamics of mammals and the manner in which they use tree cavities and nest boxes.

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Influence of cliffs on bird community diversity

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z97-195 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 76 (2) ◽

pp. 278-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J D Matheson ◽

D W Larson

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Bird Community ◽

Community Diversity ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Narrow Component ◽

Habitat Features ◽

Habitat Mosaic ◽

The North ◽

Talus Slope ◽

Additive Influence

Cliffs along the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada, support a long, narrow presettlement forest that includes three distinct geomorphic and vegetation zones: cliff edge, cliff face, and talus slope. This unique landform provides an opportunity to evaluate differences in bird communities between the escarpment and adjacent forest relative to habitat features. We sampled forest birds 12 times during the summer of 1994 in plots located in plateau forests, on talus slope, at cliff edges, and on cliff faces. Eleven habitat variables considered important to birds were also sampled in the plots. We arranged plots along six randomly spaced transects at a south site and a north site. Both sites had the consistent habitat heterogeneity considered important to birds. Bird species richness and composition responded to this heterogeneity, but differently at each site: plateau deciduous forests always had the lowest richness and the simplest species composition, whereas both cliff edges and talus slopes had a higher diversity of birds. Cliff faces had large numbers of species in the south but smaller numbers in the north. Escarpment zones form a habitat mosaic that supports many species not found in the adjacent forest and is consistent with the effect of habitat edge. The results suggest that cliffs represent a significant additive influence on avian biodiversity, even when the cliff is a very narrow component of the landscape.

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Re-establishment of an endangered subspecies: the Norfolk Island Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270900001313 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 63-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Penny D. Olsen

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Low Cost ◽

Female Offspring ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Large Trees ◽

Island Group ◽

Norfolk Island ◽

In The Wild ◽

Original Female

SummaryThe Norfolk Island Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata is confined to the small, isolated Norfolk Island group, an Australian territory. On morphological and biogeographical grounds, it is here classified as a large, distinctive subspecies of the New Zealand Morepork N. novaeseelandiae. In 1986 only one specimen, a female, survived. A shortage of large trees with suitable nesting holes appeared to be the immediate problem. The Australian Nature Conservation Agency, islanders and New Zealand wildlife authorities have cooperated in an attempt to re-establish an owl population in situ. Nest-boxes were erected in trees in the area frequented by the female and were used readily as roosts. In September 1987, two male New Zealand Moreporks were introduced. The female paired with one male and produced four hybrid F offspring (in 1989 and 1990). Two of these paired in mid-1991 and have since produced five F offspring (two in 1993 and three in 1994). The original female remains paired but now appears to be reproductively senile. At present there seems to be a shortage of mature males, since two female offspring are paired and both lay eggs and attempt to incubate them in the same nest; and a lone female has established a territory. In early 1995 all eleven owls appeared to be alive in the wild. The effort is low-cost, requires relatively little manpower, is carried out with minimal disturbance to the owls, and goes hand in hand with other conservation programmes.

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A female perspective: testing the effects of noise masking on signal transmission patterns inside the nest box

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/1568539x-00003581 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 157 (1) ◽

pp. 59-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Erin E. Grabarczyk ◽

Sharon A. Gill

Keyword(s):

Cross Correlation ◽

Signal Transmission ◽

Measured Signal ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

House Wren ◽

Noise Masking ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Song Transmission ◽

Correlation Factors

Abstract During the breeding season, avian pairs coordinate interactions with songs and calls. For cavity nesting birds, females inside nest boxes may rely on male vocalizations for information. Anthropogenic noise masks male songs, which could affect information gained by females. We explored song transmission from a female house wren (Troglodytes aedon) perspective, testing the hypothesis that noise masking alters songs that reach females inside nest boxes. We broadcast songs at three distances up to 25 m from nest boxes and re-recorded songs using two microphones, positioned inside and outside nest boxes. We measured signal-to-noise ratios and cross-correlation factors to estimate the effects of masking on transmission. In noise, songs received inside nest boxes had lower signal-to-noise ratios and cross-correlation factors than songs recorded outside of boxes, and these effects decreased with distance. For females, noise may reduce information conveyed through male songs and in response pairs may need to adjust their interactions.

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Mono-specific forest plantations are valuable bat habitats: implications for wind energy development

European Journal of Wildlife Research ◽

10.1007/s10344-020-01440-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sascha Buchholz ◽

Volker Kelm ◽

Simon J. Ghanem

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Wind Energy ◽

Forest Type ◽

Energy Development ◽

Forest Plantations ◽

Forest Types ◽

Bat Activity ◽

Power Stations ◽

Bat Conservation ◽

Wind Energy Development

AbstractNear-natural or semi-natural forests such as relatively undisturbed and old deciduous or mixed woodland are considered worth protecting and ecologically valuable habitats for bat conservation. In contrast, mono-specific forest plantations are considered ecologically less valuable; thus, decision-makers recommend these plantations as suitable locations for wind power stations and therefore want to further expand wind turbines in these habitats. This is expected to have a strong negative impact on the landscape because forests would be cleared for wind turbine pads and access roads and wind turbines rise above the trees with adverse impacts for bats. Therefore, we argue that, in light of bat conservation, the suitability of forest plantations for wind energy development is not, per se, warranted and that implications of wind power stations, even in mono-specific forest plantations, should be assessed and evaluated. We conducted long-term bat activity monitoring and recorded bat echolocation calls above the canopies of different forest sites (coniferous monoculture plantations and semi-natural mixed deciduous forests) in Germany and compared different forest types in terms of species richness, total bat activity, activity of the three bat species groups and species composition. Generalised linear models revealed that forest type and the amount of forest biotopes did not enhance bat activity. Ordination showed that species composition was not affected by forest type, location and connectivity. Mono-specific forest plantations can harbour a diverse bat fauna with high species activity and are, therefore, valuable bat habitats just as near-natural or semi-natural woodlands are. Environmental impact assessment and mitigation measures are vital in all forest types before and after planning for wind energy turbines. In particular, future planning and approval processes must consider the importance of mono-specific forest plantations for bat species protection.

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Exotic parrots breeding in urban tree cavities: nesting requirements, geographic distribution, and potential impacts on cavity nesting birds in southeast Florida

Avian Research ◽

10.1186/s40657-019-0176-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Joshua M. Diamond ◽

Michael S. Ross

Keyword(s):

Citizen Science ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Interference Competition ◽

Bird Species ◽

Inspection System ◽

Dade County ◽

Science Data ◽

Tree Cavities ◽

Cavity Nesting

Abstract Background Exotic parrots have established breeding populations in southeast Florida, including several species that nest in tree cavities. We aimed to determine the species identity, nest site requirements, relative nest abundance, geographic distribution, and interactions of parrots with native cavity-nesting bird species. Methods We searched Miami-Dade County, Florida, and nearby areas for natural cavities and holes excavated by woodpeckers, recording attributes of potential nest trees. We inspected all cavities with an elevated video inspection system to determine occupancy by parrots or other birds. We mapped nearly 4000 citizen science observations of parrots in our study area corresponding to our study period, and used these to construct range maps, comparing them to our nesting observations. Results Not all parrots reported or observed in our study area were actively breeding. Some parrots were observed at tree cavities, which previous studies have suggested is evidence of reproduction, but our inspections with an elevated video inspection system suggest they never initiated nesting attempts. Several parrot species did successfully nest in tree cavities, Red-masked Parakeets (Psittacara erythrogenys) and Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica) being the most common (n = 7 and 6 nests, respectively). These two parrots had similar nesting requirements, but Orange-winged Parrots use nests with larger entrance holes, which they often enlarge. Geographic analysis of nests combined with citizen science data indicate that parrots are limited to developed areas. The most common parrots were less abundant cavity nesters than the native birds which persist in Miami’s urban areas, and far less abundant than the invasive European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Conclusions Exotic parrots breeding elsewhere in the world have harmed native cavity-nesting birds through interference competition, but competitive interference in southeast Florida is minimized by the urban affinities of parrots in this region. The relative abundance and geographic distribution suggest that these parrots are unlikely to invade adjacent wilderness areas.

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Composition of Cavity-Nesting Bird Communities in Montane Aspen Woodland Fragments: The Roles of Landscape Context and Forest Structure

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/104.4.890 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 104 (4) ◽

pp. 890-896 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joshua J. Lawler ◽

Thomas C. Edwards

Keyword(s):

Populus Tremuloides ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Landscape Context ◽

Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽

Northern Flying Squirrel ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Cavity Nesters ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Structure Tree ◽

Species Richness And Abundance

Abstract We compared cavity-nesting bird communities in aspen (Populus tremuloides) woodland fragments classified on the basis of vegetation structure (tree density) and landscape context (surrounding vegetation). We found very few cavity nesters in fragments predominantly surrounded by forests. Fragments adjacent to meadows contained more species and a greater abundance of cavity nesters. Species richness and abundance were higher in sparsely than in densely treed meadow fragments. Because secondary cavity nesters are often limited by cavity availability, we augmented natural cavities with nest boxes. Although only five boxes contained bird nests, these were all in sparse aspen fragments predominantly surrounded by meadows. However, we found 25 northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) nests in boxes, none of which were in sparse meadow fragments. In addition to highlighting the importance of landscape context in avian and mammalian habitat relationships, our results suggest that predator or competitor interactions may help structure this cavity-nester community. Composición de las Comunidades de Aves que Nidifican en Cavidades en los Fragmentos de Bosque Montano de Álamo: El Papel del Contexto del Paisaje y la Estructura del Bosque Resumen. Comparamos comunidades de aves que nidifican en cavidades en fragmentos de bosque de álamo (Populus tremuloides) clasificados en base a la estructura de la vegetación (densidad de árboles) y al contexto del paisaje (vegetación circundante). Encontramos muy pocas aves que nidifican en cavidades en los fragmentos rodeados predominantemente por bosque. Los fragmentos adyacentes a prados presentaron más especies y mayor abundancia de aves. La riqueza y la abundancia de especies fueron mayores en fragmentos con baja densidad de árboles que estuvieron rodeados por prados. Debido a que las aves que nidifican en cavidades secundarias están a menudo limitadas por la disponibilidad de cavidades, aumentamos las cavidades naturales con cajas de anidaje. Aunque solamente cinco cajas contuvieron nidos de aves, éstas estuvieron todas en los fragmentos con baja densidad de álamos rodeados predominantemente por prados. Sin embargo, encontramos 25 nidos de ardillas voladoras norteñas (Glaucomys sabrinus) en las cajas de anidaje, de las cuales ninguna estuvo en fragmentos con baja densidad de árboles rodeados por prado. Nuestros resultados destacan la importancia del contexto del paisaje en las relaciones entre el hábitat y las aves y mamíferos, y sugieren que las interacciones con depredadores o competidores pueden influenciar la estructura de la comunidades de aves que anidan en cavidades.

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Genetics-based interactions of foundation species affect community diversity, stability and network structure

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2016.2703 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 284 (1854) ◽

pp. 20162703 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Arthur R. Keith ◽

Joseph K. Bailey ◽

Matthew K. Lau ◽

Thomas G. Whitham

Keyword(s):

Network Structure ◽

Experimental Manipulation ◽

Species Interaction ◽

Foundation Species ◽

Interaction Networks ◽

Community Diversity ◽

Arthropod Community ◽

Pemphigus Betae ◽

In The Wild ◽

The Stability

We examined the hypothesis that genetics-based interactions between strongly interacting foundation species, the tree Populus angustifolia and the aphid Pemphigus betae , affect arthropod community diversity, stability and species interaction networks of which little is known. In a 2-year experimental manipulation of the tree and its aphid herbivore four major findings emerged: (i) the interactions of these two species determined the composition of an arthropod community of 139 species; (ii) both tree genotype and aphid presence significantly predicted community diversity; (iii) the presence of aphids on genetically susceptible trees increased the stability of arthropod communities across years; and (iv) the experimental removal of aphids affected community network structure (network degree, modularity and tree genotype contribution to modularity). These findings demonstrate that the interactions of foundation species are genetically based, which in turn significantly contributes to community diversity, stability and species interaction networks. These experiments provide an important step in understanding the evolution of Darwin's ‘entangled bank’, a metaphor that characterizes the complexity and interconnectedness of communities in the wild.

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