Biology

Identity and Characteristics of Feathers Used in Tree Swallow Nest Lining Across Habitat Types

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Start Date

13-4-2018 11:00 AM

End Date

13-4-2018 11:45 AM

Description

Nest construction is a critical component of parental investment in most birds, and can have important fitness consequences. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are secondary cavity nesters that build their nests using dry grasses and a feather lining. It has been proposed that these feathers are a limiting resource which enhance reproductive success of Swallow pairs. However, there is little information about the identity and characteristics of the feathers that this species relies on for reproduction. Our goal was to characterize the feathers used as nesting materials by Tree Swallows within a 60 mile radius of Richmond, Indiana. We monitored 41 nest boxes and collected feathers to determine the number, sizes, colors, and types of feathers present. Feathers were identified using three complementary methods: microscopy, DNA barcoding, and comparison to museum specimens. Our results indicate that on average Tree Swallows use 77.34 ± 12.08 (SE) feathers in their nests. We found that the most common feather type, size range, and color, were contour (95.14%), 5-10 cm (62.66%), and brown (50.50%), respectively. We found significant differences between the number of feathers used across different habitats. We also identified a greater diversity of feathers than was previously recorded. In addition to using feathers from the orders Anseriformes, Galliformes, Cathartiformes, and Strigiformes as reported in previous literature, Tree Swallows in our study site used feathers from 6 other orders (Columbiformes, Gruiformes, Pelecaniformes, Accipitriformes, Piciformes, and Passeriformes). This is the first time this information has been reported for Tree Swallows.

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Apr 13th, 11:00 AM Apr 13th, 11:45 AM

Identity and Characteristics of Feathers Used in Tree Swallow Nest Lining Across Habitat Types

Indianapolis, IN

Nest construction is a critical component of parental investment in most birds, and can have important fitness consequences. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are secondary cavity nesters that build their nests using dry grasses and a feather lining. It has been proposed that these feathers are a limiting resource which enhance reproductive success of Swallow pairs. However, there is little information about the identity and characteristics of the feathers that this species relies on for reproduction. Our goal was to characterize the feathers used as nesting materials by Tree Swallows within a 60 mile radius of Richmond, Indiana. We monitored 41 nest boxes and collected feathers to determine the number, sizes, colors, and types of feathers present. Feathers were identified using three complementary methods: microscopy, DNA barcoding, and comparison to museum specimens. Our results indicate that on average Tree Swallows use 77.34 ± 12.08 (SE) feathers in their nests. We found that the most common feather type, size range, and color, were contour (95.14%), 5-10 cm (62.66%), and brown (50.50%), respectively. We found significant differences between the number of feathers used across different habitats. We also identified a greater diversity of feathers than was previously recorded. In addition to using feathers from the orders Anseriformes, Galliformes, Cathartiformes, and Strigiformes as reported in previous literature, Tree Swallows in our study site used feathers from 6 other orders (Columbiformes, Gruiformes, Pelecaniformes, Accipitriformes, Piciformes, and Passeriformes). This is the first time this information has been reported for Tree Swallows.