Raptor Predation of Northern Bobwhite Nests

Terhune, Theron M.; Sisson, D. Clay; Palmer, William E.; Stribling, H. Lee; Carroll, John P.

doi:10.3356/jrr-05-75.1

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…However, several other predator species exist within the community, such as snakes (particularly rat snakes Pantherophis alleghaniensis and P. guttatus Say and kingsnakes Lampropeltis getula Linnaeus), fire ants Solenopsis spp. Westwood and several incidental predator species (Staller et al 2005;Ellis-Felege et al 2008;Terhune et al 2008). Some of these species, such as snakes, serve roles as both bobwhite predators and as prey items for the mesomammals being reduced (Lang 2008;Howze 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator reduction results in compensatory shifts in losses of avian ground nests

Ellis‐Felege

Conroy

Palmer

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Nesting birds can be vulnerable to predation. Wildlife managers sometimes manipulate predator communities to enhance avian productivity and abundance. Managers need to know the predation risk from different predator species responsible for nest failures to maximize success. This issue is especially important when considering reductions in only a part of the predator community in complex ecosystems. 2. We conducted a 7-year crossover experiment at four study sites to examine the effect of mesomammalian predator control on nest success of northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus in the southeastern USA. Nests were monitored using 24-h near-infrared video. We hypothesized that nest failures caused by different predator guilds may not be independent and may lead to compensation by other predators as one predator guild was reduced. 3. We compared levels of bobwhite nest predation by mesomammals, snakes and other predators in years with and without mesomammal control. 4. Control of mesomammal predators reduced the levels of mesomammal nest predation, but predation levels by snakes and other predators increased such that total nest mortality was not reduced. Nest mortality among predator groups was best described as compensatory, and total nest mortality differed among sites. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that reductions in predation risk from one predator guild can be compensated by an increased risk from other predators in complex ecosystems. Predator removal within one group may not translate to additive increases in overall nest success, but rather results in shifts in the identity of predators responsible for nest failures. Management efforts focused on manipulating predator communities to enhance avian reproduction are encouraged to examine cause-specific nest fates to determine the effectiveness of predator reduction programmes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator reduction results in compensatory shifts in losses of avian ground nests

Ellis‐Felege

Conroy

Palmer

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…Western ratsnakes (Pantherophis obsoletus) preferentially select habitat characteristics and thermal conditions associated with forest edges (George et al 2017). Raptors are infrequent predators of bobwhite nests (Terhune et al 2008) but contributed to adult mortalities we observed. These results are consistent with Lohr et al (2011), who reported bobwhite breeding season survival in New Jersey, USA, was positively related to use of grassland cover and negatively related to use of forest.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Predation contributes substantially to bobwhite adult mortality and nest failure (Rollins and Carroll 2001). Mammals and snakes are responsible for 40.2%, and 31.7% of nests depredated, respectively, and raccoons are the most common mammalian predator of bobwhites in Georgia, USA (Terhune et al 2008) Tewes et al 2002, Kamler andGipson 2003). Snakes and avian predators also use forest edges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Northern bobwhite breeding season and nest survival are greater on native grasslands

Sinnott,

Thompson,

Hedges

et al. 2023

J Wildl Manag

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Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) are declining across their range. Population recovery requires a better understanding of the influence of management strategies and land cover on specific demographic components of full annual cycle population dynamics. We used known‐fate daily survival models to relate adult breeding season survival and nest survival to land cover composition, woody cover, and management actions on 5 study sites in southwest Missouri, USA. We collected 3,516 observations of daily nest survival from 364 bobwhite nests for 7,509 exposure days and 34,386 observations of adult survival from 955 bobwhites for 85,225 exposure days during breeding seasons in 2014–2018. The most supported model for nest and adult breeding season survival included environmental covariates for percent native grass and agricultural cover, distance to shrub, and distance to tree. Both nest and adult breeding season survival were positively related to distance to trees. Nest survival was negatively related to percent agricultural crop cover. Areal nest and adult breeding season survival were greater on native grassland sites compared to conservation areas that maintained small units of strip crop and wooded cover. Management to sustain or expand native grass cover and reduce tree cover should benefit bobwhite nest survival and adult breeding season survival in the landscapes we studied.

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Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) as Predator of Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) Nests

Ibáñez‐Álamo

Soler

2012

Journal of Raptor Research

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Raptor Predation of Northern Bobwhite Nests

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

Predator reduction results in compensatory shifts in losses of avian ground nests

Predator reduction results in compensatory shifts in losses of avian ground nests

Northern bobwhite breeding season and nest survival are greater on native grasslands

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) as Predator of Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) Nests

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