| Abstract: | Mayfield‘s method for calculating the success of a group of nests is examined in detail. The standard error of his estimator is developed. Mayfield‘s assumption that destroyed nests are at risk until the midpoint of the interval between visits leads to bias if nests are visited infrequently. A remedy is suggested, the Mayfield-40% method. I also present a competing model, which recognizes that the actual destruction date of a failed nest is unknown. Estimated daily mortality rates and standard errors are developed under this model. A comparison of the original Mayfield method, the Mayfield-40% method, and the new method, which incorporates an unknown date of destruction, shows that the original or modified Mayfield method performs nearly as well as the more appropriate method and requires far easier calculations. A technique for statistically comparing daily mortality rates is offered; the one proposed by Dow (1978) is claimed to be misleading. Finally, I give a method for detecting heterogeneity among nests and an improved estimator, if it is found. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 1001423 |
| Citation Author: | Johnson, D. H. |
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| Citation End Page: | 661 |
| Citation Issue: | 4 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Auk |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 10 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | p. 651-661 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Estimating nest success: the Mayfield method and an alternative; 1979; Article; Journal; Auk; Johnson, D. H. |
| Citation Start Page: | 651 |
| Citation Volume: | 96 |
| Citation Year: | 1979 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Estimating nest success: the Mayfield method and an alternative; 1979; Article; Journal; Auk; Johnson, D. H. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Mon, 1 Jan 1979 00:00 -0600 |
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