Do predation rates on artificial nests accurately predict predation rates on natural nests? The effects of nest type, egg type and nest-site characteristics

Abstract

Abstract. We compared the predation rate on natural nests of the Eastern Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis, with the predation rates on four types of artificial nests in a woodland remnant in southern Victoria. The aims of this study were: to compare the overall rates of predation on artificial and natural nests; to determine whether artificial nests accurately reflect the effects of nest-site characteristics on the predation rate of natural nests; and to examine the effects of using different nest types and egg types for artificial nests. The predation rates on artificial nests were significantly greater than those on natural nests. The predation rate was significantly greater on artificially constructed nests than on real, disused Eastern Yellow Robin nests, but there was no difference in the predation rates on artificial nests containing plasticine or Canary, Serinus canarius, eggs. There were no effects of nest-site characteristics on the predation rates on either artificial or natural nests. These results showed that the method of construction of artificial nests can affect the rate of nest predation, and suggest that artificial nests should be made as realistic as possible in order to gain more accurate information on the predation rates on the natural nests they are meant to represent.

Predation on artificial nests in open habitats of central Brazil: effects of time and egg size

“…Similar results have been reported for temperate (Maier & DeGraaf 2000, Coppedge et al 2007) and neotropical forests (Alvarez & Galetti 2007). Comparisons between artificial and natural nests also revealed the importance of controlling egg size (Roper 2003, Berry & Lill 2003, Burke et al 2004, Robinson et al 2005. The importance of other characteristics such as egg color and scent seems marginal (review in Major & Kendal 1996).…”

“…Experiments with artificial nests in the neotropics detect spatial and temporal variation in nest predation risk, yet how these effects resemble those observed for natural nests are unknown. Furthermore, egg size, one of the most tested influences on predation rates (Haskell 1995, Maier & DeGraaf 2000, Berry & Lill 2003) was usually overlooked in neotropical studies.…”

Predação de ninhos artificiais em uma ilha na Mata Atlântica: testando o local e o tipo de ovo

“…No entanto o tamanho do ovo, a textura da casca e a cor podem influenciar na taxa de predação, bem como no comportamento e na identificação de alguns predadores (ROPER 1992, HASKELL 1995a, MAIER & DEGRAFF 2000, BERRY &LILL 2003.…”

“…Os ovos artificiais (sintéticos ou de massa de modelar) podem representar os ovos naturais no formato, tamanho e na cor, entretanto o seu odor e a sua consistência podem influenciar na predação de pequenos mamíferos (HASKELL 1995b, MAIER & DEGRAFF 2001. Além disso, esses ovos são utilizados para identificar os potenciais predadores que deixam cicatrizes nos ovos predados (BERRY & LILL 2003).…”

Dummy birds in artificial nest studies: an experiment with Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurio

“…The main concern is the markedly different depredation rates between natural and artificial nests (Rangen et al 2000, Part & Wretenberg 2002, Moore & Robinson 2004, Robinson et al 2005. In general, predation on artificial nests is significantly higher than on natural nests (Wilson et al 1998, King et al 1999, Berry & Lill 2003, Mezquida & Marone 2003, Lindell et al 2004, Batáry & Báldi 2005, but see Davison & Bollinger 2000, Thompson & Burhans 2004. Many factors may cause these discrepancies including the size, colour and type of egg, nest type and nest appearance (Major & Kendal 1996, Rangen et al 2000, Batáry & Báldi 2004.…”