Effects of Adult Behavior and Nest-Site Characteristics on Black-Capped Vireo Nest Survival

The condor

Theresa L. Pope¹ 

关键词: behavior;    Black-capped Vireo;    nest-site characteristics;    nest survival;    parental care;    Skutch hypothesis;    Vireo atricapilla;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2012.110141

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. Predation is the leading cause of nest failure for many bird species. Most studies associate risk of predation with vegetation characteristics of the nest site. Alternatively, the Skutch hypothesis suggests that adults' activity at the nest can attract the attention of predators and lead to an increased risk of predation. We investigated whether vegetation characteristics surrounding nest sites affected nest attentiveness and visitation and if these behaviors affected nest survival. We used 1-hr nest observations and 8-hr video observations at Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) nests in three regions of Texas to quantify nest attentiveness and visitation during incubation and the nestling stage. Females spent 80% more time on nests during incubation and 250% more time on nests during the nestling stage than did males, but visitation was similar for each sex. In general, nest behavior did not appear to be affected by vegetation characteristics, except males' attentiveness during incubation in...

【 授权许可】

CC BY