Nest site attributes and temporal patterns of northern flicker nest loss: effects of predation and competition

Abstract

To date, most studies of nest site selection have failed to take into account more than one source of nest loss (or have combined all sources in one analysis) when examining nest site characteristics, leaving us with an incomplete understanding of the potential trade-offs that individuals may face when selecting a nest site. Our objectives were to determine whether northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) may experience a trade-off in nest site selection in response to mammalian nest predation and nest loss to a cavity nest competitor (European starling, Sturnus vulgaris). We also document within-season temporal patterns of these two sources of nest loss with the hypothesis that flickers may also be constrained in the timing of reproduction under both predatory and competitive influence. Mammalian predators frequently depredated flicker nests that were: lower to the ground, less concealed by vegetation around the cavity entrance and at the base of the nest tree, closer to coniferous forest edges and in forest clumps with a high percentage of conifer content. Proximity to coniferous edges or coniferous trees increased the probability of nest predation, but nests near conifers were less likely to be lost to starlings. Flickers may thus face a trade-off in nest site selection with respect to safety from predators or competitors. Models suggested that peaks of nest predation and nest loss to eviction occurred at the same time, although a competing model suggested that the peak of nest loss to starlings occurred 5 days earlier than the peak of mammalian predation. Differences in peaks of mammalian predation and loss to starlings may constrain any adjustment in clutch initiation date by flickers to avoid one source of nest loss.

Is it always beneficial to breed in the centre? Trade-offs in nest site selection within the colony of a tree-nesting waterbird

“…Generally, most of the studies on nest site selection have failed to take into account more than one source of nest loss, which limits our understanding on the complexity of cues affecting algorithms of nest site choice in birds (Fisher and Wiebe 2005). As one of the exceptions, the study of Coulson (1968) demonstrated that the competition for good-quality nesting sites was substantially intensified in the centre of a Blacklegged Kittiwake colony when compared with the peripheral zones.…”

The Importance of Nesting Cavity and Tree Reuse in the Three-Toed WoodpeckerPicoides tridactylusin Dynamic Forest Landscapes

“…in the northern flicker Colaptes auratus (e.g. Lawrence 1967, Moore 1995, Fisher & Wiebe 2005, great spotted woodpecker (proportions of multi-cavity trees between 8%-49%; Hågvar et al 1990, Hansson 1992, Glue & Boswell 1994, Stenberg 1996, Mazgajski 1998, and black woodpecker (25%-47%; Hågvar et al 1990, Rolstadt et al 2000, Kosiński et al 2011. Nest tree reuse has been occasional or absent in the three-toed woodpecker in central Europe (Pechacek 2001, Pechacek & d'Oleire-Oltmanns 2004, P. Pechacek pers.…”

Nest sites selection by sympatric cavity-nesting birds in miombo woodlands

“…The suitability of potential nest sites is also based on the prospects offered of avoiding predation and maximisation of reproductive success for cavity-nesting birds. The choice of nest sites by cavity-nesting birds is often influenced by factors such as the height above the ground, vegetal concealment of entrances of cavities, and neighbouring vegetation type due to edge effects (Fisher & Wiebe 2005). Site-choice may be further influenced by competition.…”