Observations on the use of dummy nests by fledgling Worthington's Marsh Wrens (Cistothorus palustris griseus)

Chicalo, Roxan; Schwarzer, Amy C.; Cox, W. Andrew

doi:10.1676/18-87

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…We selected a 50 m radius based on prior observations of adult birds with active nests and recent fledglings, which indicated that family groups tended to stay in the natal territory in the first 1-2 wk postfledging (Schwarzer, personal observation). A post hoc examination of the data confirmed our observations; only 2 fledglings moved > 50 m within the 1st wk of fledging (one of which soon returned to its natal territory), and fledglings were frequently observed using the natal and nearby dummy nests for shelter (Chicalo et al 2019).…”

Section: Field Methods and Habitat Measurementssupporting

confidence: 82%

“…By contrast, age did not influence Marsh Wren fledgling survival. This may indicate that newly fledged birds benefit from the use of dummy nests for shelter (Chicalo et al 2019) because initial survivorship, when mortality risks are usually greatest, was not lower than later in the postfledgling period. In addition, the presumable loss of access to dummy nests as birds dispersed, which began approximately at 10 d of age, as well as reduced feeding from adult birds that rapidly renest (5-14 d post fledging; Kroodsma and Verner 2013), may have offset any advantages young birds gained with increased experience out of the nest.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adults spent much of their time within nesting territories but also ranged out of them into short cordgrass flats to forage. Territories usually had 1 active nest and multiple dummy nests, which may serve to deter predators (Leonard and Picman 1987), attract mates (Verner and Engelsen 1970), or shelter newly fledged young (Chicalo et al 2019). Nests were domed, usually woven into multiple blades of needlerush or tall cordgrass between 1 and 2 m high, and tended to occur in higher elevation areas along the creek edges where vegetation was typically tallest.…”

Section: Study Area and Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Postfledging survival of the Worthington's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus)

Cox¹,

Schwarzer²,

Tornwall³

2019

ACE

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The postfledging period of a passerine bird's life is increasingly recognized as an understudied component of songbird conservation, because the habitat needs of fledglings can differ from nesting adults and survivorship during this period can substantially affect population growth rates. We studied postfledging survival of the Worthington's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus), a state-listed salt marsh songbird subspecies in northeastern Florida, USA, during 2016-2017. Postfledging survival was low during the first 21 d following fledging for the cohort of tracked birds (0.10; 95% confidence interval: 0.01, 0.37). The top a priori model indicated that heavier birds at the time of tagging exhibited greater survival than lighter birds, and birds from larger broods had greater survival than birds from smaller broods. Other covariates not in the top model that also influenced survival included the amount of tall-form smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) within the natal patch, which positively influenced survival, and the amount of black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) within the natal patch, which negatively affected survival. The low rates of postfledging survival combined with low rates of nest survival reported elsewhere indicate that Worthington's Marsh Wrens in northeastern Florida require continued protection and warrant further research into management and restoration activities that will improve their habitat. Survie suivant l'envol du nid chez le Troglodyte des marais de Worthington (Cistothorus palustris griseus)RÉSUMÉ. La période suivant l'envol du nid dans la vie d'un passereau est de plus en plus reconnue comme une composante sousétudiée de la conservation des oiseaux chanteurs, parce que les besoins en matière d'habitat des jeunes suivant l'envol sont peut-être différents de ceux des adultes nicheurs et la survie durant cette période peut grandement affecter les taux de croissance des populations. Nous avons étudié la survie suivant l'envol du nid du Troglodyte des marais de Worthington (Cistothorus palustris griseus), une sousespèce de passereau de marais salés désignée au niveau de l'État dans le nord-est de la Floride, États-Unis, en 2016 et 2017. Le taux de survie suivant l'envol du nid était faible durant les 21 jours suivant l'envol chez la cohorte d'oiseaux suivis (0,10; intervalle de confiance à 95 % : 0,01-0,37). Le meilleur modèle a priori a indiqué que les oiseaux plus lourds au moment du marquage avaient une meilleure survie que les oiseaux plus légers, et les oiseaux provenant de couvées plus nombreuses avaient un meilleur taux de survie que les oiseaux issus de couvées moins nombreuses. Les autres covariables ayant un effet sur la survie, mais non inclues dans le meilleur modèle a priori, comprenaient la quantité de spartine alterniflore (Spartina alterniflora) de forme haute dans la parcelle abritant le nid, qui avait un effet positif sur la survie, et la quantité de jonc (Juncus roemerianus) dans la parcelle abritant le nid, qui avait un effet négatif sur la survie. Le faibl...

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Section: Field Methods and Habitat Measurementssupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Area and Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Postfledging survival of the Worthington's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus)

Cox¹,

Schwarzer²,

Tornwall³

2019

ACE

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“…All sites had smaller patches of succulents such as glasswort Salicornia depressa and saltwort Batis maritima, as well as sea oxeye Borrichia frutescens. Marsh wrens build domed nests and usually build multiple dummy nests, which may indicate a highquality territory (Verner & Engelsen 1970), deter predators (Leonard & Picman 1987), or provide shelter for newly fledged young (Chicalo et al 2019). Wren nesting territories were usually quite small (82− 155 m 2 ; Kale 1965) and were densely packed along the edges of the river and tidal creeks where the cordgrass was tallest.…”

Section: Study Area and Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tide and habitat features affect salt marsh songbird nest survival in northeast Florida, USA

Cox¹,

Schwarzer²,

Tornwall³

et al. 2020

Endang. Species. Res.

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Tidal salt marshes face numerous pressures that threaten their ecological integrity, and many salt marsh vertebrates have exhibited declines concomitant with the degradation of salt marsh habitats. We studied nest survival of MacGillivray's seaside sparrow Ammospiza maritima macgillivraii and Worthington's marsh wren Cistothorus palustris griseus in smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and black needlerush Juncus roemerianus dominated salt marshes in northeast Florida, USA, during 2015−2017 to understand why both species have undergone range contractions. We evaluated the effects of tides, habitat features, and weather on nest survival. The probability of a nest surviving from laying to fledging young was low for both species (seaside sparrow: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.10; marsh wren: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.18), suggesting that nest survival may limit population growth. The most substantial threat to marsh wren and seaside sparrow nest survival was from greater than normal high tides. However, there was limited evidence of direct nest loss due to flooding. An analysis of only fledged and depredated nests suggests that higher tides influenced nest survival by increasing nest predation, substantially so for marsh wrens. Other factors negatively associated with marsh wren nest survival, albeit less strongly, included precipitation and the amount of black needlerush at and within 50 m of the nest. The effect of tide height on nest survival suggests that salt marsh birds in northeast Florida are vulnerable to continued sea-level rise, which is exacerbated by upland development that will hinder marsh migration. Monitoring and protecting northeast Florida's high-elevation, cordgrass-dominated marshes should be a priority.

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“…, or shelter for adults or newly fledged birds(Bowles 1898, Verner 1965, Chicalo et al 2019), although results have been mixed when comparing the number of dummy nests to reproductive success Picman 1987b, Metz 1991).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat selection of nesting and fledgling salt marsh songbirds in northeast Florida

2022

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Understanding habitat selection by breeding birds and their newly fledged young can be an essential aspect of the conservation of vulnerable species. During 2015-2017, we examined nest site selection of Worthington's marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus) and MacGillivray's seaside sparrow (Ammospiza maritima macgillivraii), and fledgling habitat use by Worthington's marsh wren, 2 imperiled species in northeast Florida, USA. We compared vegetation at unused points to vegetation at nests of both subspecies and at locations used by radio-tagged marsh wren fledglings. Vegetation was taller and stem counts were greater at nest sites compared to unused points. Worthington's marsh wrens also used nest sites with a greater proportion of tall-form smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) than was observed at unused points. Worthington's marsh wren fledglings also used locations with taller, denser vegetation, but vegetation use changed with fledgling age and tidal stage; older fledglings more frequently used areas with short-form smooth cordgrass and bare ground (and more so during low tides). In contrast, so few nests and nestlings were in black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) that we could not consider it in our analysis despite its prevalence within our study sites. Our results indicate that tall, dense cordgrass is an important habitat component for these subspecies during the nesting and fledgling life stages in southeastern Atlantic salt marshes.

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Observations on the use of dummy nests by fledgling Worthington's Marsh Wrens (Cistothorus palustris griseus)

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Postfledging survival of the Worthington's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus)

Postfledging survival of the Worthington's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus)

Tide and habitat features affect salt marsh songbird nest survival in northeast Florida, USA

Habitat selection of nesting and fledgling salt marsh songbirds in northeast Florida

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