Breeding biology of Acadian flycatchers in a bottomland hardwood forest
The Wilson Bulletin
By: R.R. Wilson and R.J. Cooper
Links
- Document: Report (pdf)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
From 1993-1995, we located and monitored 601 Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) nests in a large contiguous tract of bottomland hardwood forest on the White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas. Annual reproductive success was significantly different among years; ranging from 10-25% (Mayfield estimate) over the three years of the study. There was no significant difference in nest success among study plots, with nesting success showing a trend of increasing late in the breeding season. Clutch size for non-parasitized nests averaged 2.9 ? 0.02 (SE) eggs with a mode of 3. Rates of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism were low (21%), accounting for 7% of all nest failures. However, parasitism by cowbirds resulted in a reduction of clutch size for nests initiated early (i.e., first nests and replacements) in the breeding season. Predation was the leading cause of nest failures, accounting for 75% of all failures. Snakes and avian predators were thought to be the leading cause of nest failures. Although additional factors must be investigated, preliminary results indicate that nest predation is a major influence on this population, despite the size of the forest tract.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Breeding biology of Acadian flycatchers in a bottomland hardwood forest |
| Series title | The Wilson Bulletin |
| Volume | 110 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 226-232 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wilson Bulletin |
| First page | 226 |
| Last page | 232 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |