Predictors and consequences of nest-switching behavior in Barn Swallows (<i>Hirundo rustica erythrogaster</i>)

Donahue, Kyle; Hund, Amanda K.; Levin, Iris I.; Safran, Rebecca J.

doi:10.1642/auk-17-52.1

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The nest predation rate we observed across sites was similar to rates observed in Barn Swallows elsewhere in North America (Donahue et al 2018) but higher than predation rates reported from D r a f t Europe (Møller 1987;Teglhøj 2018). We observed a seasonal decline in rates of nest predation indicated by lower predation on second broods than first broods, similar to other studies in North America (Donahue et al 2018). The main nest predators of Barn Swallows in our study area were raccoons, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758), and squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777) and Sciurus carolinensis (Gmelin, 1788), although ravens (Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758) entered one barn, knocking down nests and eating nestlings (personal observation; Brown and Brown 1999).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada?

2019

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Animal populations are often limited by food availability, particularly during the breeding season. In birds, food limitation can impact several components of the reproductive cycle, including the timing of reproduction and reproductive output. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758) have experienced a population decline over the past 40 years in North America that is thought to be related to changes in prey availability. We monitored Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour and prey availability throughout two breeding seasons at 10 sites in Ontario, Canada, to test the hypothesis that limited prey availability during the breeding season affected reproductive behaviour. We found no relationship between food availability and number of eggs laid or number of young fledged. Neither did we observe higher rates of second brooding or more pairs nesting at breeding sites with higher food availability. Barn Swallows did not time their reproductive effort to maximize prey availability during the nesting period, but any mismatch in phenology of prey and bird reproduction at a breeding site was not associated with lower reproductive success. The results of this study did not support our hypothesis and suggest that Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour was not negatively affected by limited prey availability on the breeding grounds.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada?

2019

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“…Predation is a common cause of nest failure in birds, and other reasons for the failure include nest ectoparasites, bad weather, and human interference (Donahue et al., 2018 ). Although our study found a significant number of predation threats from aerial predators in urban habitats, the risk of urban predation was relatively low compared to rural or natural habitats (our findings in other comparative study of urban and rural Chinese blackbird, Zhang et al., 2024 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological drivers of nesting behavior in a subtropical city: An observational study on spotted doves

Sheng,

Lu,

Bai

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Due to rapid homogenization in habitat types as a result of urbanization, some urban birds adapt their nesting strategies to changes in local habitat characteristics. Bird nesting decisions might have been mainly linked to resource constraints and ensuring reproductive success. In this study, we examined patterns of nesting behavior by spotted doves (Spilopelia chinensis) in a rapidly urbanizing area of Nanchang, China using ArcGIS 10.8, satellite tracking, camera traps, and field survey. To explore the mechanisms underlying nesting behavior in urban habitats, we assessed the correlations between nest reuse and reproductive success, and between nest reuse and nest predation. From December 2018 to December 2021, a total of 302 breeding nests were surveyed. The results revealed that the nest reuse rate was 38.08% (n = 115). Nests closer to trunk, with lower nest position and higher large‐scale urbanization score tended to have higher reuse rate. In addition, nests with the higher the nest height and percent of canopy cover, and the lower small‐scale urbanization score were more likely to reproduce successfully, and the reused nests also reproduce more successfully. The reproductive success associated with nest reuse was significantly higher than that associated with new nests (χ2 = 8.461, p = .004). High degree of urbanization promoted nest reuse of spotted doves (large‐scale urbanization score, z = 2.094, p = .036), which apparently enhanced their reproductive success (nest reuse, z = 2.737, p = .006). In conclusion, a nest structure with good permeability is the material basis for the nest reuse in spotted dove, while the relatively low risk of predation in urban habitat and the scarcity of nest site resources due to urbanization increase the tendency of birds to reuse old nests, which is associated with their reproductive success and evolutionary fitness.

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“…3), explorations of the intersection of ecology and culture and its relation to traditional building styles through the lens of a barn swallow. Observation Station is a site-specific sculpture built by Treher and installed at a barn swallow colony on a private property north of Boulder, where Mc-Dermott's PhD advisor, Rebecca Safran, and her team have been researching barn swallows for more than 10 years [14]. Barn swallows, who consume more than 800 mosquitos a day each, have dramatically reduced in number due to several factors, such as the lack of available structures for them to use.…”

Section: Hatchmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Nest for Art and Science

2021

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Forming part of the campus-wide Grand Challenge initiative, the Nature, Environment, Science & Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts is a new endeavor at the University of Colorado Boulder that explores the interrelation, generative overlaps, and productive differences between the sciences and the arts by means of exhibitions, student work, lectures, panels, courses, and events. Operationally launched in the summer of 2018, NEST seeks efforts that engage with central questions regarding alternative and constructive ways of passing information and methodologies back and forth between the two worlds. Efforts such as these are key to advance cross-disciplinary efforts in siloed campuses across the nation.

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Predictors and consequences of nest-switching behavior in Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster)

Cited by 9 publications

References 37 publications

Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada?

Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada?

Ecological drivers of nesting behavior in a subtropical city: An observational study on spotted doves

A Nest for Art and Science

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