Factors Affecting Predation at Songbird Nests in Old Fields

• DOI: 10.2307/3802890
• Publication Date: 2007-03-23T06:21:31Z
• Authors: Dirk E. Burhans; Donald Dearborn; Frank R. Thompson...; John Faaborg
• Keywords: Songbird; Corvidae

We determined the effects of microhabitat, year, weather, time season, stage nesting cycle, and brood parasitism on nest predation from a 7-year dataset field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) in central Missouri, USA. Year, site, interaction species 2-week interval season were important factors explaining predation. The only microhabitat variable that consistently explained was height: nests over 3 m high almost always fledged. Validation model parameters an independent set resulted proper categorization (e.g., lost or not to predation) 61.5% nests. In models testing weather temporal effects, year related daily survival for buntings, intervals both species. Nest higher overall nestling than incubation parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) experienced nonparasitized buntings. Temporal patterns within breeding consistent between years, between-year variance appeared be important, whereas generally unimportant. Research mechanisms underlying variability mortality due may identify management options reduce