Effects of nest-box density on the behavior of Tree Swallows during nest building (original) (raw)
Related papers
PLOS ONE
Secondary cavity-nesting birds depend on tree cavities for nesting and roosting, but many studies of these birds are conducted using nest boxes. Implementation of effective conservation strategies for cavity-nesting species such as nest-site supplementation requires careful comparisons of fecundity and other vital rates for birds using both natural and artificial nest site types. We compared breeding phenology, clutch and brood sizes, and fledging success of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting in tree cavities and nest boxes during 2001-2003 in British Columbia, Canada. Swallows using nest boxes initiated egg-laying and hatched young at approximately the same time as those in tree cavities (2 June, 23 June, respectively). Female Tree Swallows in boxes laid larger clutches (5.9 ± 0.9 eggs, N = 76) than those in tree cavities (4.2 ± 1.6 eggs, N = 67). The mean number of nestlings hatched was greater in nest boxes (5.2 ± 1.1 nestlings, N = 67) than in tree cavities (2.6 ± 2.0 nestlings, N = 58). Pairs in boxes were over twice as successful in producing fledglings (93.4%; 57 of 61 pairs fledged > 1 young) than those in tree cavities (35.8%; 19 of 53 pairs). Of those successful nests, pairs nesting in boxes fledged 5.1 ± 1.1 young (N = 57), whereas those in tree cavities fledged 3.5 ± 1.2 young (N = 18). Because cavities in nest boxes averaged 60% larger in volume and 1.8 cm wider internally than tree cavities, we suggest that increased reproductive output was correlated with boxes enabling a larger clutch size. In previous research, we found that Tree Swallows were a poor competitor with other cavitynesting passerines for tree cavities. The addition of nest boxes may serve as an effective way to supplement local reproduction for secondary cavity-nesting bird populations by reducing competition for limited nest sites. This is especially true in regions where the availability of natural nesting sites is highly variable, and where species compete with many other cavity-nesting passerines using a similar ecological niche and nesting cavities.
The Condor, 1989
We examined 10 characteristics of natural cavities and their influence on reproductive success of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting in dead trees in beaver ponds. Large ranges were found for entrance height and area, cavity volume, and nearness to shore of nest sites. Other characteristics were less variable: 46% of cavities were less than 2 m above the pond surface, and 48% had entrance widths of 4-5 cm. Tree Swallow nest sites were uniformly dispersed in the ponds.
Defense of extra nest-sites by a cavity nesting bird, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
1994
We use data from field experiments and observations of Tree Swallows Tachycineta hicolor defending single and extra nest-sites at nestbox and cavity populations to determine the function of extra nest-site defense behaviour. About 50% of pairs travelled up to 56 m to defend neighbouring nest-sites for a month or longer. Both sexes defended extra nestsites. Males spent more time than females at extra nest-sites, especially during later stages of the breeding cycle. In Experiment 1, 60% of extra nest-sites erected beside occupied nestboxes were defended by a neighbouring settled pair. In Experiment 2, males, and perhaps females, preferred to settle on territories with two nest-sites versus those with one. There were no age differences for either sex when comparing birds which defended extra nest-sites with those that did not. Physical characteristics of males were not different between defense types, but females that defended extra nest-sites had longer wings than those that defended one nest-site. Although they may be beneficial in cases where a nest-site is destroyed by a predator, extra nest-sites were usually not essential for renesting. Residents were evicted from territories with extra nest-sites as often as those with only one nest-site. Polygyny was not observed in the natural populations, but one quarter of males with extra nest-sites in the nestbox populations attracted a second female. Our data suggest that male Tree Swallows exhibit resource defense polygyny, and females probably defend extra nest-sites to prevent or delay settlement by other females.
Influence of forest edge on nest-site selection by Tree Swallows
1990
Swallows (Tuchycinetu bicolor) at nest-box grids in uniform habitats. Tree Swallows occupied nest sites at distances of 3-l 00 m from forest edge, while House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and most Eastern Bluebirds (Siuliu siulis) used boxes within 30 m of forest edge. Mean distance to forest edge for the distribution of nest boxes used by Tree Swallows was greater than those means for Eastern Bluebirds and House Wrens, but mean distances to forest edge for nest boxes occupied by the latter two species were not different. Partial correlation analysis showed that settlement dates at nest boxes by single Tree Swallows (often known to be males), and dates of pair formation, were correlated negatively with distance to forest edge (i.e., Tree Swallows settled first at nest boxes that were farthest from forest edge). Also, when a pair of Tree Swallows had a choice of more than one nest box in which to breed (i.e., their territory included more than one nest box), they selected most frequently the nest box farthest from forest edge. Whereas predation by raccoons (Procyon Zotor) and black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoletu) at Tree Swallow nest boxes occurred at distances from forest edge up to 80 m, House Wrens destroyed eggs and usurped nest boxes from Tree Swallows only within 20 m of forest edge. Further, although Eastern Bluebirds did not usurp nest boxes from Tree Swallows, both species are known to compete aggressively for boxes. Therefore,
Canadian Journal of Zoology, 2019
Natal environment and parental quality can influence offspring phenotype, including physiological and morphological traits. We investigated how offspring morphology and feather corticosterone (CORTf; a physiological index of allostatic load) may be related to nest environment and parental characteristics by cross-fostering 3-day-old nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) between quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and plywood nest boxes that differed in microclimate. We evaluated the relative importance of natal influences, common rearing environment, and nest-box environment on nestling quality. Nestlings raised in quaking aspen boxes tended to have lower CORTf, although this result only approached significance. Nestling body mass was best predicted by the biological mother’s mass and random effects of natal and rearing nest identity, wing length was best predicted by random effects of rearing nest, and head–bill length was best predicted by random eff...
Old Nest Material in Nest Boxes of Tree Swallows: Effects on Nest-Site Choice and Nest Building
The Auk, 1996
ABSTR•CT.-In natural cavities, old nest material accumulates with successive use, thereby reducing the size of the cavity, and allowing the numbers of certain haematophagous ectoparasites to increase. For this reason and because researchers studying birds breeding in nest boxes typically remove old nests from boxes, the results of such studies have been questioned. The accumulation of old nest material might affect nest-site selection and nest building by hole-nesting birds, so we tested this hypothesis by manipulating the presence and amount of old nest material in nest boxes of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Our experiment also allowed us to examine whether costs are incurred by females due to nest building in terms of their subsequent reproductive output. When a choice of boxes was available, swallows preferred empty and clean boxes, or those where the old material had been microwaved, over those with old, untouched material. Clean boxes and those with microwaved material had more space inside, so our experiments support two hypotheses: swallows avoid potentially high numbers of parasites in nests with old material; or they prefer large cavities. Empty boxes affected nest building. The mass and volume of nests built in clean boxes were greater than for nests built on old material. Females did not add more feathers to the nest lining in boxes with old material as compared with clean boxes. Correlation analyses suggested that females building large nests began egg laying earlier in both years. Otherwise, there were no associations between the sizes of nests built by females and subsequent reproductive output (e.g. clutch size) or nestling size (e.g. body-condition index). Our results show that the common habit of removing old nests from boxes can affect nest-site choice and nestbuilding behavior. Nest building does not influence reproductive output by Tree Swallows.
Local breeding experience and the reproductive performance of Tree Swallows
Journal of Field Ornithology, 2010
The potential advantages of repeated breeding at a particular location should improve reproductive performance in long-lived species of birds. However, for short-lived species, natural selection should favor individuals that most quickly develop competency in reproduction. Therefore, we hypothesized that local breeding experience beyond the first breeding attempt at a particular location would have little effect on subsequent reproductive performance of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), a species where about 50% of adults breed only once in their lives. We tested this hypothesis using data collected from Tree Swallows in Michigan from 1993 to 2002. Because we were specifically interested in examining the effects of local breeding experience on reproductive performance, we restricted our analyses to after-second-year (ASY) females and their mates that we first encountered as breeders. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found no relationship between repeated local breeding experience and the reproductive performance of ASY female Tree Swallows and their mates as measured by clutch size and number of fledged young. However, pairs with more combined total local experience tended to lay eggs earlier in the season. These results suggest that Tree Swallows may benefit from breeding site fidelity, not because repeated local experience improves reproductive performance as measured by the production of fledglings, but because returning individuals acquire nest cavities earlier and are able to begin breeding earlier, providing time to renest in case of early nest failure.
Geographic and Ecological Variation in Clutch Size of Tree Swallows
The Auk, 2000
In many birds, populations breeding at higher latitudes have larger clutch sizes. It has been hypothesized that this relationship results from the greater availability of food at higher latitudes. We examined geographic variation in clutch size of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in relation to latitude, longitude, laying date, breeding density, elevation, and summer actual evapotranspiration (AE). AE is a measure of terrestrial primary productivity, and we assumed that it was correlated with resource abundance. Clutch size data were compiled from nest records throughout the breeding range in the United States and Canada (n ϭ 7,459). Summer AE estimates were made from long-term climatological records, and breeding density was estimated from Breeding Bird Surveys. All variables were averaged for each 1Њ block of latitude and longitude (n ϭ 85 latilong blocks). We found a strong positive relationship between clutch size and latitude. Absolute levels of resource abundance (summer AE) were not related to clutch size but were related inversely to latitude and longitude. After controlling for the effects of confounding variables, clutch size was related positively to latitude and relative resource abundance (summer AE after controlling for breeding density). Our results are consistent with Ashmole's hypothesis that relative, rather than absolute, levels of resource abundance determine at least some of the variation in clutch size.