Seasonal habitat‐dependent change in nest box occupation by Tengmalm's owl associated with a corresponding change in nest predation

Abstract

We investigated the nest‐site settlement of the forest‐dwelling Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) in the temperate zone of Central Europe (Czech Republic) over a 14‐year period. We analysed the effect of changes in nest‐site suitability (expressed as the proportion of deciduous forest) within the immediate surroundings of the nest boxes (a buffer radius of 25 m) in relation to nest box occupancy, the mean standardized laying date (further the laying date), occurrence of nest predation, and breeding density. In line with the predictions of the site dependence model, we found a positive relationship between the laying date and the proportion of deciduous trees in the nest box surrounding. Further, we found the interactive effect of the laying date and the proportion of deciduous forest surrounding a nest box on the occurrence of breeding attempts predated by pine martens. A higher proportion of deciduous forest was found in the surroundings of predated than non‐predated breeding attempts, and a steeper positive relationship between the laying date and the proportion of deciduous forest was found in the surroundings of non‐predated than predated breeding attempts. The change in the owls’ habitat utilization can be explained by the process of tree leafing which makes the deciduous forest a less suitable habitat with high risk of nest predation before tree foliage and a more suitable habitat with low risk of nest predation after tree foliage. We conclude that our results are in agreement with the site dependence model, and that the degree of foliage of deciduous forest in the nest surrounding of Tengmalm's owl is a key factor determining site suitability due to predation risk from pine martens in Central Europe.

Vocal activity of the Central European Boreal Owl population in relation to varying environmental conditions

“…In particular, young and in- experienced males used to breed in good food years while they do not breed during years of food scarcity (Korpimäki 1988). In our study area, between-year breeding densities of owls do not vary significantly , Zárybnická et al 2015a, Zárybnická et al 2016.…”

Nest-Site Features and Breeding Ecology of Chestnut-Vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis in Southwestern China

“…The rapid development of molecular technology and theory-based life-history approaches has led to increased research on the reproductive ecology of passerine birds, including life-history characteristics, nest-site selection, reproductive success rate, reproductive countermeasures, and offspring sex ratio, among others [ 7 ]. Zarybnicka et al studied the relationship between nesting box occupation and habitat change in the boreal owl Aegolius funereus and found that the spawning period was positively correlated with the proportion of deciduous leaves around the nesting box [ 8 ]. Libois et al found that using artificial nest boxes effectively increased the survival rate and reproductive success of the mew gull Larus canus [ 9 ].…”