Prothonotary Warbler Nestlings Fledge from Mixed Broods Following Nest Takeovers by Tree Swallows

Rogers, Samantha L.; Parlow, Taylor N.; Kacmarcik, Julie; Reilly, Robert J.; Viverette, Cathy; Bulluck, Lesley P.

doi:10.1656/045.027.0414

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Moreover, in seven years of studying this system and having checked >1000 nest boxes, we have only observed two dead adult birds inside boxes and both were Prothonotary Warblers in nests occupied by Tree Swallows. Our observations are similar to Rogers et al (2020) who observed dead Prothonotary Warblers incorporated in two Tree Swallow nests and they likewise attributed the deaths to Tree Swallows. Other studies have found evidence that male and female Tree Swallows commit infanticide (Chek and Robertson 1991), kill adult conspecifics inside of nest boxes (Lombardo 1986, Robertson et al 1986, and kill other cavity-nesting species inside of boxes (Kuerzi 1941).…”

Section: Adult Warbler Mortalitysupporting

confidence: 91%

Nest usurpation and adult mortality in a secondary cavity-nesting songbird

Scerbicke,

Dodson,

Page

et al. 2024

JFO

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Competition for limited nest sites among secondary cavity-nesting bird species is intense and may result in loss of nests, physical conflict, injury, and occasionally death. The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is a secondary cavity-nesting species that has experienced a 38% population decline over the past five decades. In the northern portion of their range, Prothonotary Warblers are sympatric with two cavity-nesting species known for their nest usurpation behaviors: the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) and Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). From 2017-2023 we monitored Prothonotary Warbler nests. House Wrens destroyed and usurped 38% of Prothonotary Warbler nests, which represented the greatest cause of nest failure, while Tree Swallows usurped only 1.5% of Prothonotary Warbler nests. We also documented two instances of adult Prothonotary Warblers likely killed by Tree Swallows. Interference competition from House Wrens is likely a significant factor limiting Prothonotary Warbler reproductive success where it is sympatric with these nest competitors.RESUMEN. La competencia por los limitados sitios de nidificación entre aves paseriformes usuarias secundarias de cavidades es intensa y puede resultar en la pérdida de nidos, conflictos físicos, heridas y ocasionalmente muerte. Protonotaria citrea es una especie nidificadora secundaria de cavidades que ha experimentado un declive del 38 % en sus poblaciones durante las últimas cinco décadas. En la porción norte de su rango, esta especies es simpátrica con dos especies nidificadoras secundarias de cavidades conocidas por su comportamiento de usurpación de nidos: Troglodytes aedon y Tachycineta bicolor. Desde 2017 a 2023 monitoreamos nidos de P. citrea. Individuos de T. aedon destruyeron y usurparon un 38 % de esos nidos, lo cual representó la mayor causa de fracaso de nidos, mientras que T. bicolor solo usurpó un 1,5% de los nidos monitoreados. También documentamos dos eventos de adultos de P. citrea muertos presumiblemente por T. bicolor. La competencia por interferencia de T. aedon es probablemente un factor limitante significativo del éxito reproductivo P. citrea donde es simpátrica con estos competidores de nidos.

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