Biology & Sustainability
Microhabitat Nest Selection by Two Secondary Cavity Nesting Birds: Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Biology & Sustainability
Start Date
11-4-2014 11:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 11:45 AM
Sponsor
Wendy Tori (Earlham College)
Description
Nest habitat preferences can strongly influence the reproductive success of birds and can vary geographically for species with large geographic ranges. Studies have shown that birds have preferences for certain microhabitats. Secondary cavity nesters may be particularly affected, since they are limited by the availability of cavities present in their environment. Nest boxes are a popular management tool to increase nest site availability for secondary cavity nesters. We examined the microhabitat characteristics of nest boxes used and not used by two secondary cavity nesters: (1) Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and (2) Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in Richmond Indiana. We measured the following habitat characteristics: (1) vegetation structure within 5 meters of the next box, (2) distance and height to the closest tree, (3) the distance to the closest shrub, and (4) the number and variability of small and large trees within 4 quadrants in 11.3 meter diameter plots around the nests. We found that Eastern Bluebirds had specific microhabitat requirements in terms of vegetation structure. We were not able to detect significant habitat requirements for Tree Swallows based on the characteristics measured. The significance of our results in terms of bird management will be discussed.
Microhabitat Nest Selection by Two Secondary Cavity Nesting Birds: Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor
Indianapolis, IN
Nest habitat preferences can strongly influence the reproductive success of birds and can vary geographically for species with large geographic ranges. Studies have shown that birds have preferences for certain microhabitats. Secondary cavity nesters may be particularly affected, since they are limited by the availability of cavities present in their environment. Nest boxes are a popular management tool to increase nest site availability for secondary cavity nesters. We examined the microhabitat characteristics of nest boxes used and not used by two secondary cavity nesters: (1) Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and (2) Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in Richmond Indiana. We measured the following habitat characteristics: (1) vegetation structure within 5 meters of the next box, (2) distance and height to the closest tree, (3) the distance to the closest shrub, and (4) the number and variability of small and large trees within 4 quadrants in 11.3 meter diameter plots around the nests. We found that Eastern Bluebirds had specific microhabitat requirements in terms of vegetation structure. We were not able to detect significant habitat requirements for Tree Swallows based on the characteristics measured. The significance of our results in terms of bird management will be discussed.