The Use of Nesting Boxes to Study the Biology of the Mountain Chickadee (Parus Gambeli) and Its Impact on Selected Forest Insects11studies on Predation of Different Life Stages of Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth Were Supported by the Usda Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth Expanded Research and Development Program, Forest Service, Portland, Oregon, Fs-PNW-Grant No. 46. Portions of Other Studies Were Supported by National Institute of Health Grant #Cc0283.

Dahlsten, Donald L.; Copper, William A.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-215350-1.50018-1

Cited by 29 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…We used rubber snakes as our simulated nest predator -this model type was partially chosen to allow us to participate in a large, multi-species international comparative study of calls that members of the family Paridae give in response to snake predators; however, we also feel the model constitutes a representative predator for our chickadee populations. Snake species are frequent predators of nesting birds (Weatherhead & Blouin-Demers, 2004;Reidy & Thompson, 2012;DeGregorio et al, 2014), including several chickadee species, and are specifically known to prey on mountain chickadee nests (Dahlsten & Copper, 1979;Dahlsten et al, 1992). Choice of snake model was dictated by participation in the collaborative study so the model was consistent across the global study area, but these models were very similar in appearance and size to the black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus), which is a substantial nest predator in central and eastern Canada and the southeastern United States (Weatherhead & Charland, 1985;Weatherhead & Robertson, 1990;Weatherhead & Blouin-Demers, 2004;DeGregorio et al, 2014).…”

Section: Nest Predator Presentationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, the models were similar in size and shape, though not colour, to Great Basin gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer deserticola), and both size and colour to Rubber Boas (Charina bottae), both of which are found in the study region and known to prey on birds and eggs (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, 2002; Reptiles of British Columbia, 2021). Both rubber boas and gopher snakes are known predators of mountain chickadees in other populations (Copper et al, 1978;Dahlsten & Copper, 1979).…”

Section: Nest Predator Presentationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Urban-nesting mountain chickadees have a reduced response to a simulated predator

Smith

Snell

Reudink

et al. 2021

Behav.

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Anti-predator behaviour is common among birds, but little research exists on whether differences in the predator landscape between urban and rural habitats results in differential anti-predator behaviour. We compared nest-defence behaviour of mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli) in urban and rural habitats in Kamloops, BC, Canada to a simulated predator model (snake) on top of nest boxes while incubating females were away from nests on foraging bouts. Upon their return, we recorded proximity to the predator model, latency to contact the nest box and enter the nest, and number of gargle and chick-a-dee calls as measures of anti-predator behaviour and compared multivariate “predator aversion scores” across birds occupying either rural or urban landscapes. Rural-nesting birds had more aversive reactions to the predator model than the urban-nesting birds, which may suggest differences in perceived threat of the model, in combination with increased boldness associated with urban-nesting birds.

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Section: Nest Predator Presentationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nest Predator Presentationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban-nesting mountain chickadees have a reduced response to a simulated predator

Smith

Snell

Reudink

et al. 2021

Behav.

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Experimental test of nest‐site limitation in mature mixed forests of central British Columbia, Canada

Aitken

Martin

2011

J Wildl Manag

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Nest‐site availability limits cavity‐using populations in many harvested forests; however, little is known about the extent of nest‐site limitation in mature forests with a full complement of excavator species and intact processes of cavity creation and loss. To examine the role of nest‐site availability in limiting cavity‐using populations in mature mixed conifer forests in central British Columbia, Canada, we conducted an 11‐year before‐after control‐impact experiment in which we increased nest‐site availability via nest box addition. Our 7 sites (3 treatments, 4 controls) had low cavity densities (<2/ha) prior to treatment and cavity occupation rates were also low (<10%/yr), which is a relationship often cited in the literature as evidence of non‐limitation in cavity‐nesting populations. Following nest box addition at our treatment sites, which tripled the availability of cavities, total density of bird and mammal nests more than tripled. Density of mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli) nests increased 9‐fold on treatment sites and returned to pre‐treatment levels following box removal, suggesting that chickadee populations were limited by cavity availability at our study sites. Density of red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) nests and roosts also increased significantly at treatment sites following box addition and declined following box removal. We noted little change in chickadee or squirrel nest density at control sites monitored concurrently. Squirrels preferred large‐sized over small‐sized boxes, and significantly enlarged the entrance areas of small boxes by chewing, suggesting that there may have been a shortage of suitable nest and roost sites for them in our study area. We contend that low cavity occupancy rates may not accurately reflect nest‐site availability for cavity nesters in mature forests, and that cavity size may influence the true availability of cavities on the landscape. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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Control of Invaders

Dahlsten¹

1986

Ecology of Biological Invasions of North America and Hawaii

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Cited by 29 publications

References 6 publications

Urban-nesting mountain chickadees have a reduced response to a simulated predator

Urban-nesting mountain chickadees have a reduced response to a simulated predator

Experimental test of nest‐site limitation in mature mixed forests of central British Columbia, Canada

Control of Invaders

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