Attendance Patterns and Survival of Western Meadowlark Nests

Powell, Larkin A.; Giovanni, Matthew D.; Groepper, Scott R.; Reineke, Mitchell; Schacht, Walter H.

doi:10.1525/california/9780520273139.003.0005

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Female nest attendance increased the probability of detecting nests using the rope-drag method, and we found that attendance varied among nest stages. Reduced female nest attendance during the nestling stage relative to the incubation stage is consistent with other studies (Giovanni et al, 2011;Powell et al, 2012;Smith et al, 2009), as females typically spend more time off the nest foraging. We also found support for variation in nest attendance by treatment, with attendance tending to be higher for grazed exotic pasture than NWSG treatments during incubation and nestling stages, and several potential mechanisms may be posited for this pattern.…”

Section: Widespread Establishment Of Exotic Forages For Beef Productisupporting

confidence: 90%

“…However, predation rates for altricial species are estimated to be higher during the nestling stage than during lay or incubation stages due to greater activity of provisioning adults (Jehle et al, 2004;Stake et al, 2005), so we assumed lay and incubation survival probabilities were equal (s 1j = s 2j ). In addition, nest search methods such as rope-drags rely on flushing incubating females to reveal nest locations (Gloutney et al, 1993;Winter et al, 2003), but female nest attendance may vary with nest stage (Giovanni et al, 2011;Powell et al, 2012;Winter et al, 2003). Therefore, we modelled detection conditional on female absence ( 1 ) or attendance ( 2 ), and we modelled female nest attendance probability (for each stage and treatment to predict attendance for unobserved nests.…”

Section: Nest Density Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Monroe

Chandler

Burger

et al. 2016

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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Grasslands are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world, and establishment of exotic forage grasses and management for uniform utilization may have contributed to population declines of many obligate grassland bird species in North America. Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) are increasingly promoted as viable alternatives to exotic forages currently in production such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea), but structure of native bunchgrasses also may offer nesting habitat for birds such as the dickcissel (Spiza americana). Establishing NWSG pastures may thereby create an opportunity for land-sharing, where agriculture incorporates biodiversity-friendly practices. We investigated dickcissel responses to NWSG and grazing at the Prairie Research Unit in Monroe Co., Mississippi (USA), where we established a gradient of management intensity among four treatments in small, operational-scale pastures (6.4−10.5 ha). Treatments included grazed exotic forages, two grazed NWSG treatments including Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) monoculture and grazed mixed NWSG polyculture of Indian grass, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), and a non-grazed NWSG polyculture treatment. We applied a multi-state capture-recapture model in a Bayesian framework to estimate dickcissel nest density and productivity while accounting for nest stage-specific variation in survival and detection. Nest density and productivity were consistently greater in non-grazed NWSG than grazed exotic pasture, whereas grazed NWSG productivity was intermediate but declined between years. We also found that variation in survival and density did not always correspond with estimated productivity, and thus solely relying on either parameter may be misleading when making inferences on habitat quality. These results suggest a positive response to NWSG among dickcissels in this system, but grazing may reduce nest site availability, and 3 consequently productivity. Native warm-season forages may be a viable land-sharing alternative by increasing productivity of tall structure specialists such as dickcissels compared with exotic grass pastures currently in production, but grazing should be managed to ensure availability of tall vegetation structure for nest sites.

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Section: Widespread Establishment Of Exotic Forages For Beef Productisupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Nest Density Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Monroe

Chandler

Burger

et al. 2016

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Today, thanks to technological advances, they constitute a cost-effective tool and their application and usefulness have been demonstrated over several decades of use, as reported in the literature 32,55 . Although most studies report neutral effects of cameras on birds 5,17,25,27 , or directly assume no effects without a formal test for it, very few studies analyse in detail the potential negative effects of their use, particularly on raptors. The advantages of using video cameras in nests are evident.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first studies date back to the fifties of the last century 21,22 and technological innovations have allowed significant advances in improving both the quantity and the quality of the images received, going from the first prototypes based on 35 mm photographic cameras to video surveillance cameras remotely controlled that allows real-time monitoring and public access through the Internet (review in 23 ). Although most studies report neutral effects of the use of cameras inside nests (e.g., 5,18,[24][25][26][27] ), very few studies report the possible potential effects that the installation of electronic devices inside nests might cause on behaviour (e.g. avoidance, decrease in the frequency of visits to the nest, nest abandonment) or direct and indirect effects on breeding performance (e.g.…”

Section: Potential Negative Effects Of the Installation Of Video Surv...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential negative effects of the installation of video surveillance cameras in raptors’ nests

López‐López

2022

Sci Rep

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Video surveillance cameras installed on birds’ nests are a cost-effective tool to study many aspects of ecology and behaviour that would otherwise be practically impossible to obtain. However, although most studies report neutral effects of cameras on birds, very few studies analyse in detail the potential negative effects of their use, particularly on raptors. Here, using a long-term database of a population of Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) collected from 2000 to 2022, I show how the inappropriate use of video surveillance cameras could result in negative effects on the reproduction of a threatened species through a before-and-after control-impact study design. Pairs under video surveillance showed lower productivity, lower breeding success and unusual delayed laying dates. The installation of cameras close to the laying date, coinciding with the mating phase of individuals, most of them subadult inexperienced birds; in combination to the reiteration of visits to the nests once the cameras were installed to check the system, particularly during the incubation period and early stages of breeding; and the installation of cameras in a particular area subject to constant human disturbance, might explain these results. Potential management actions to mitigate the effect of the installation of video cameras on birds’ behaviour should include the need to plan the intervention dates, testing the systems beforehand under controlled conditions and adequate post-installation monitoring to avoid unnecessary disturbance to animals. Finally, I urge the scientific community to report the potential negative effects observed in their studies, especially if the target species are threatened with extinction.

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Deep learning analysis of nest camera video recordings reveals temperature-sensitive incubation behavior in the purple martin (Progne subis)

Williams

DeLeon

2019

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Attendance Patterns and Survival of Western Meadowlark Nests

Cited by 6 publications

References 24 publications

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grass can increase avian productivity in beef production systems

Potential negative effects of the installation of video surveillance cameras in raptors’ nests

Deep learning analysis of nest camera video recordings reveals temperature-sensitive incubation behavior in the purple martin (Progne subis)

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