Nest-site characteristics and breeding success of three species of boreal songbirds in western

• Main Authors: Kate L. Dalley, Philip D. Taylor, Dave Shutler
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.512.7279; http://landscape.acadiau.ca/Phil_Taylor/PDF/DalleyTaylorShutler08.pdf

Abstract: Delineating habitat requirements and preferences of species is essential for conservation planning. We studied nest habitat use and effects of microsite vegetation characteristics on breeding success of yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata (L., 1766)), blackpoll warblers (Dendroica striata (J.R. Forster, 1772)), and white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin, 1789)) in an area with a low extent (<6 % of available land) of forest harvest in northwestern Newfoundland. During 2004 and 2005, 99 nests were located and monitored, and the characteristics of nest sites measured. Vegetation at yellow-rumped and blackpoll warbler nest sites differed from ran-dom sites; however, within used sites, no vegetation characteristics were significantly associated with success. White-throated sparrow nest sites contained more downed wood and less ground vegetation than did random sites; however, successful nests were associated with different variables than those that distinguished them from random sites, includ-ing less canopy cover and less woody debris. Thus, whereas yellow-rumped and blackpoll warblers used specific nest-site characteristics and white-throated sparrows had higher nest success associated with certain characteristics, the nest characteristics these birds appeared to choose did not have demonstrable fitness benefits. Résume ́ : La planification de la conservation nécessite une définition des besoins et des préférences d’habitat des espèces. Nous étudions l’utilisation de l’habitat de nidification et les effets des caractéristiques de la végétation a ̀ l’échelle du microsite sur le succès de la reproduction chez la paruline a ̀ croupion jaune (Dendroica coronata (L., 1766)), la paruline