Understanding the role of green space in urban-suburban landscapes is becoming critical for bird conservation because of rampant habitat loss and conversion. Although not natural habitat, golf courses could play a role in bird conservation if they support breeding populations of some native species, yet scientists remain skeptical. In 2003-2009, we measured reproduction of Eastern Bluebirds {Siala sialis) in Virginia on golf courses and surrounding reference habitats, of the type that would have been present had golf courses not been developed on these sites (e.g., recreational parks, cemeteries, agriculture land, and college campus). We monitored >650 nest boxes and 2,255 nest attempts {n = 1,363 golf course, n = 892 reference site). We used an information-theoretic modeling approach to evaluate whether conditions on golf courses affected timing of breeding, investment, or nest productivity compared with nearby reference sites. We found that Eastern Bluebirds breeding on golf courses reproduced as well as those breeding in other disturbed habitats. Habitat type had no effect on initial reproductive investment, including date of clutch initiation or clutch size (jc = 4 eggs). During incubation and hatching, eggs in nests on golf courses had higher hatching rates (80%) and brood sizes {x = 4.0 nestlings brood"') than nests on reference sites (75% hatching rate; x = 3.8 nestlings brood"'). Mortality of older nestlings was also lower on golf courses and, on average, golf course nests produced 0.3 more fledglings than nests on reference sites. Thus, within a matrix of human-dominated habitats, golf courses may support productive populations of some avian species that can tolerate moderate levels of disturbance, like Eastern Bluebirds. Éxito Reproductivo de Sialia sialis en Campos de Golf SuburbanosRESUMEN.-Comprender el papel del espacio verde en paisajes urbanos-suburbanos se está haciendo crítico para la conservación de las aves debido a la marcada pérdida y conversión de habitats. Aunque no son habitats naturales, los campos de golf podrían desempeñar un papel en la conservación de las aves si éstos sostienen poblaciones reproductoras de algunas especies nativas, pero los científicos son aun escépticos al respecto. En 2003-2009, medimos la reproducción de Siala sialis en campos de golf en Virgina y en ambientes circundantes de referencia correspondientes al tipo de habitat que habría estado presente si no se hubieran desarrollado los campos de golf en esos sitios (e.g., parques recreacionales, cementerios, áreas agricolas, campus universitario). Monitoreamos más de 650 cajas de anidación y 2255 intentos de anidación (n = 1363 en campos de golf, n = 892 en sitios de referencia). Empleamos un enfoque de modelamiento basado en teoría de la información para evaluar si las condiciones de los campos de golf afectaban el momento en que tenía lugar la reproducción, la inversión reproductiva o la productividad de los nidos en comparación con sitios de referencia cercanos. Encontramos que los individuos que se reproducen en...
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