Providing nest boxes for hole-nesting birds – Does habitat matter?

Abstract

Nest boxes are a popular management tool to increase nest site availability for hole-nesting birds, but biological consequences of this technique in different habitats are poorly studied. In our study area in southwestern Estonia, nest boxes for small passerines were set up in deciduous and coniferous woods. Great tits Parus major preferred the food-rich deciduous habitat for breeding, as judged by higher nest-box occupation, earlier egg-laying and larger clutches and eggs. However, in coniferous habitat more and heavier young fledged per nest, and the return rate of both fledglings and adults was higher. We propose two mutually non-exclusive explanations, both related to the maladaptive outcome of the provision of nest boxes: (i) in the preferred habitat, nest boxes caused a supra-optimal breeding density leading to an ecological trap; (ii) boxes drastically improved the non-preferred habitat, but birds were unable to exploit the breeding habitat fully. One should be careful in providing large numbers of artificial nest sites in preferred habitats. Sometimes it would be more preferable to improve less favourable habitats by removing critical constraints.

Physiological Condition of Incubating and Brood Rearing Female Great TitsParus majorin Two Contrasting Habitats

“…Unexpectedly, the number of offspring and their condition turned out to be higher in coniferous habitat in most years (Mänd et al 2005). Furthermore, adults' physiological condition during nestling feeding period tended to be better in the coniferous habitat compared to the deciduous habitat ).…”

Variation in Assemblages of Feather Bacteria in Relation to Plumage Color in Female Great Tits

“…Our study area, near Kilingi-Nõmme (58° 7′ N, 25° 5′ E) in southwestern Estonia, covers approximately 50 km 2 and contains a mosaic of coniferous and deciduous forest (see a map of the study area in Mänd et al 2005b).…”

Interspecific and intraspecific spatial separation by birds breeding in nest boxes

“…Provision of nest boxes is a conservation measure by which habitats can be made attractive to species for breeding (Mänd et al 2005, Sánchez et al 2007, Lima and Garcia 2016. For instance, forestry management often removes dead or decaying trees, which can develop natural cavities, or provide sites for cavity excavation by species such as woodpeckers (Picidae; Remm et al 2006, Sánchez et al 2007).…”

“…Artificial provision of nest boxes may allow species to breed in habitats that may be suitable for various ecological reasons, such as suitable foraging opportunities, but lack appropriate natural nest sites (Newton 1994, Sánchez et al 2007). Provision of nest boxes can allow an increase in breeding density in some, but not all, habitats (Mänd et al 2005, Camprodon et al 2008. However, provision of nest boxes can also lead to an ecological trap because birds may be "tied" to breeding in a suboptimal habitat (Mänd et al 2005, Klein et al 2007, Rodríguez et al 2011).…”

“…Provision of nest boxes can allow an increase in breeding density in some, but not all, habitats (Mänd et al 2005, Camprodon et al 2008. However, provision of nest boxes can also lead to an ecological trap because birds may be "tied" to breeding in a suboptimal habitat (Mänd et al 2005, Klein et al 2007, Rodríguez et al 2011). …”