Artificial nest box use by the North Island saddleback: Effects of nest box design and mite infestations on nest site selection and reproductive success

Abstract

The importance of artificial nest boxes for North Island saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) on Tiritiri Matangi Island has increased significantly, suggesting that "natural" nesting cavities are now a limited resource for this growing population. The design and position of artificial nest boxes directly affects the likelihood of saddleback use for nesting: small boxes (0.005 and 0.0lm3 ) with large (140-160 mm high) north facing openings had the highest probability of being used. One of the disadvantages of using artificial nest boxes in conservation management is the potential for parasite build-up. Two species of mesostigmatid mites were found in the artificial nest boxes used by saddlebacks on Tiritiri Matangi Island. One was an undescribed species of Dermanyssid mite the other was Ornithonyssus bursa, the fowl mite. The numbers of mites detected increased over the saddleback nesting cycle from September to December. However, our results strongly suggest that, for saddlebacks, no negative correlations exist between mite abundance and chick weight, fledging date, or the number of fledglings produced. Mite abundance was extremely variable and did not correlate with nest box temperature or relative humidity.

Factors affecting the survival of founding individuals in translocated New Zealand Saddlebacks Philesturnus carunculatus

“…Little is known about feather mites in New Zealand and most studies have examined the effects of one species only, the Fowl Mite Ornithonyssus bursa . Fowl Mites are haematophagous but studies of North Island Saddlebacks Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater show that experimental removal of Fowl Mites and an undescribed species of dermanyssid mite from nestboxes had no effect on chick mass, fledging date or the number of fledglings produced (Stamp et al . 2002).…”

A review of available methods and description of a new method for eliminating ectoparasites from bird nests

“…Although potent when applied, the effectiveness of pyrethroids declines as they biodegrade. However, they retain some effectiveness for days to weeks depending on the initial concentration used and Lope 1993, Clayton 1994, Olsson 1995, Dufva 1996, McKilligan 1996, Allander 1998, Merino 1999, Szép 1999, Norcross 2002, Stamp 2002, Shutler 2003, Charmantier 2004, Dawson 2004, Fessel 2006, Carleton 2008…”

Successful island reintroductions of New Zealand robins and saddlebacks with small numbers of founders

“…Saddlebacks are classified as secondary cavity nesters but nest in a variety of protected sites other than tree cavities (Heather & Robertson, 1996;Hooson & Jamieson, 2003a). Three islands with saddlebacks (Kapiti, Mokoia and Tiritiri Matangi) had nest boxes erected for use but were not used to the exclusion of natural nesting sites (Lovegrove, 1996a;Stamp, Brunton & Walter, 2002). Both species show evidence of low genetic variation within and between island populations (Livingston, 1994;Ardern & Lambert, 1997;Lambert et al, 2005;Tepolt, 2005), suggesting the current populations are inbred.…”