Reproductive Success Increases with Age in American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius), Especially in Breeding Males

Reproductive Success Increases with Age in American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius), Especially in Breeding Males
Author: Emilie Rehm Luttman
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre: American kestrel
ISBN:

Download Reproductive Success Increases with Age in American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius), Especially in Breeding Males Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Age-related differences in reproductive success have been well documented in many species of birds. The experience gained through successive breeding attempts can improve survival skills, foraging abilities, access to resources through social dominance, and familiarity with each stage of reproduction. In this study we examined 669 nesting attempts by American kestrels (Falco sparverius) from a population that bred in nest boxes in northwestern New Jersey, 1995 to 2018. We tested the hypothesis that older kestrels would have greater nesting success than those in their first reproductive attempt. Clutch size, hatching rate, and the number of chicks that survived to fledging varied significantly and positively with age for both male and female breeders. These trends were associated with the date of clutch initiation and amount of parental attentiveness. Older birds initiated clutches earlier than those in their first breeding attempt, and older birds of both sexes were more likely to be present in the vicinity of the nest site, especially during the incubation and nestling periods. The relationship between age and breeding success was much more pronounced in males than in females. This difference is consistent with the behavioral role that each sex has during a breeding attempt. After laying a clutch, the female performs most of the incubation and broods the young chicks. In contrast, the male provides food to the female prior to egg laying and throughout incubation, and to the entire family until the chicks no longer are brooded by the female. Pairs in which both adults were older had significantly greater nesting success than mixed or young pairs, and we never observed an older female paired with a male in his first reproductive attempt.

American Kestrel Nest Box Occupancy and Success in Cranberry Bogs in Southeastern Massachusetts

American Kestrel Nest Box Occupancy and Success in Cranberry Bogs in Southeastern Massachusetts
Author: Anneliese Malachi
Publisher:
Total Pages: 86
Release: 2019
Genre: American kestrel
ISBN:

Download American Kestrel Nest Box Occupancy and Success in Cranberry Bogs in Southeastern Massachusetts Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

American Kestrel (Falco spaverius) Northeastern populations have been declining over the past decades. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) competition for nest boxes with American Kestrels have also increased. This study examined local, landscape, and weather variables around kestrel nest boxes in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) bogs across southeast Massachusetts in order to determine how the kestrel nest box occupancy and fledging success and the starling occupancy changed over time and which variables encouraged kestrel nest occupancy and success and discouraged starling occupancy. We used data collected from an 18- year study, ArcGIS, and generalized linear mixed models in order to create models to determine these impacts. We found that kestrel nest box occupancy and success decreased over time, while kestrel nest box failure stayed consistent and starling kestrel nest box occupancy increased. Kestrel fledging success stayed relatively consistent throughout the study. We also found that cranberry and grassland area, as well as distance to nearest nest box and human habitation were significant variables in predicting kestrel nest box occupancy and fledging success, while only distance to nearest nest box and human habitation were significant to predicting starling occupancy.

The Complete Birdhouse Book

The Complete Birdhouse Book
Author: Lillian Q. Stokes
Publisher: Little, Brown
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2009-09-26
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 031608493X

Download The Complete Birdhouse Book Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Attract beautiful nesting birds to your backyard with this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide from America's foremost authorities on birds and nature. Experience the joy of watching baby birds being raised just outside your door. With the Stokes Birdhouse Book, you'll learn everything you need to know to bring nesting birds close and gain a fascinating glimpse of their family life. This beautifully illustrated guide includes comprehensive information on how to: Buy or build a successful birdhouse -- complete, easy-to-follow plans are included, along with a chart giving recommended birdhouse dimensions for each species Locate your birdhouse properly Attract bluebirds, purple martins, and many other birds Monitor boxes and control predators Observe and understand the breeding and nesting behaviors of the birds in your yards