Artificial nest boxes are placed to attract birds to nest and breed in a specific location,and they are widely used in avian ecology research and in the attraction of insectivorous birds.There is evidence that artific...Artificial nest boxes are placed to attract birds to nest and breed in a specific location,and they are widely used in avian ecology research and in the attraction of insectivorous birds.There is evidence that artificial nest boxes can adversely affect breeding fitness but no great focus has been placed on this issue by researchers.Therefore,we retrieved 321 research papers regarding artificial nest boxes published from 2003 to 2022 and used the'Biblioshiny'program to extract and integrate keywords;we then summarized the adverse effects of artificial nest boxes on avian breeding success.The studies highlighted many drawbacks and misuses in the designing and placement of nest boxes;furthermore,bird attraction was decreased by their inappropriate selection,thus reducing breeding success.Regarding nest box production,there were shortcomings in the construction material,color,smell,and structural design of the boxes used.Nest boxes were also placed at inappropriate densities,locations,orientations,heights,and managed incorrectly.Finally,we propose suggestions for more efficient and safer artificial nest boxes for future use in avian ecology research and bird conservation.展开更多
A study was conducted to determine the influence of forest road on breeding of tits in artificial nest boxes in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests in the Gwanak Arboretum （37° 25′ 05＂ N, 126° 56′ 85...A study was conducted to determine the influence of forest road on breeding of tits in artificial nest boxes in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests in the Gwanak Arboretum （37° 25′ 05＂ N, 126° 56′ 85＂ E） of Seoul National University, Anyang, Korea from November 2002 to June 2003. Three tits species, varied tit （Parus varius）, marsh tit （P. palustris） and great tit （P. major）, breeding in artificial t nest boxes were investigated on number of breeding pairs, cultch size, and egg measurement. Resuls showed that the breeding pairs of varied tit was more in 75-150 m area than in 0-75m area from forest road for all the three study sites, and the clutch size and egg measurements （weight, Major axis and Minor axis） of varied tit was also higher in the area of 75-150 m than in the area of 0-75 m, while no differences in number of breeding pairs and clutch size were found for marsh tit and great tit between the two areas. Egg measurement of great tit was also higher in forest interior area than in forest edge area. It is concluded that varied tit were most significantly influenced by forest road, followed by great tit, whereas marsh tit were not influenced by forest road. Artificial nest box is roved to be good for cavity nester in disturbed areas by human activities. Supply of artificial nest can help population protection and management of bird species.展开更多
Background: Changes and increased mechanisation of agricultural practices have influenced the biodiversity composition of farmland habitats and caused a decline of bird communities in many European countries. The remo...Background: Changes and increased mechanisation of agricultural practices have influenced the biodiversity composition of farmland habitats and caused a decline of bird communities in many European countries. The removal of shrubs and large trees rich in natural cavities, has also led to a drastic decrease in nest site availability for cavity-nesting bird species. Nest-boxes are a common conservation tool used to improve nest-site availability, and have helped to reverse declines in many endangered bird populations. Nonetheless to maximize the results of such interventions it is crucial to know where nest-boxes should be sited. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the nest-box program for the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) population of Lazio region (Central Italy). More specifically, we focused on what landscape features were preferred (or avoided) in the process of nest box selection and how they influenced population’s breeding parameters. Particular attention was paid to identifying potential limitations and to provide management recommendations for future interventions. Methods: Using data from 70 nest boxes sited on power lines monitored over a 7-year period (representing 140 breeding attempts), we developed probability functions to evaluate if nest box location, in terms of distance from habitat resources and habitat composition and structure, had an effect on nest box occupancy and on the main reproductive parameters. Results: Nest boxes were more likely to be occupied if they were located near arable fields and in areas characterized by a higher amount of incoming solar radiation. Higher fledging success was associated with fallow fields and with a moderate/low habitat structural complexity. Higher breeding success was associated with solar radiation and with greater distance from urban areas. Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of specific habitat variables in influencing nest occupancy, and show which drivers primarily affect species’ reproduction and persistence over time. Siting nest boxes in habitats where occupancy rate and fledging success is higher, such as in arable and fallow fields and on south-facing slopes where solar radiation is maximised, may help to extend the suitable habitat for rollers and facilitate its local expansion.展开更多
In this study, we examined the use of artificial nest boxes by Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) in three coniferous and mixed forests in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Six hundred and twelve boxes with diff...In this study, we examined the use of artificial nest boxes by Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) in three coniferous and mixed forests in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Six hundred and twelve boxes with different sized entry holes (ranging from 3 to 7 cm in diameter) were placed in the forests between 2004 and 2009. Pteromys volans used nine boxes in the coniferous forests and two boxes in the mixed forests. The squirrels only used boxes with entrance holes measuring 3.5, 4, and 5 cm in diameter, showing a strong and moderate preference for boxes with 5 and 4-cm holes, respectively, and a strong avoidance for boxes with 3- and 7-cm holes. Therefore, we suggest placing artificial nest boxes with entrance holes 5 cm in diameter to encourage breeding activity. Most nests made in the artificial boxes were composed of fibrous materials from woody vines. We recommend placing artificial nest boxes with holes of 5-cm diameter in coniferous forests, which support dense populations of P. volans, to survey whether this approach would positively affect the breeding habits and population maintenance of this species.展开更多
Colony cages for natural mating have been applied on many layer breeder farms.However,feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism are considered as prominent problems for these systems.This study aimed to investigate the ...Colony cages for natural mating have been applied on many layer breeder farms.However,feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism are considered as prominent problems for these systems.This study aimed to investigate the effects on feather pecking and vent pecking behaviors by providing layer breeders with nest boxes(0.90 m L×0.40 m W×0.60 m H)in colony cages for natural mating(4.80 m L×1.20 m W×0.71 m H).Video recording and artificial observation were adopted.The results showed that the usage of nest boxes gradually increased from the beginning of nest boxes providing at the age of 37 weeks to the end of the experiment at the age of 55 weeks.The utilization rates of nest boxes were 36.75%,44.75%and 50.38%at the ages of 41 weeks,47 weeks and 53 weeks,respectively.The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed significantly more frequent gentle feather pecks(both given and received)than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 41 weeks,47 weeks and 53 weeks.A decreasing trend of gentle feather pecking frequency(both given and received)was found with the increasing age for both the two groups.No significant difference was found in the number of given or received severe feather pecks at the age of 41 weeks.The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed a significantly higher frequency of given and received severe feather pecks than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 47 weeks and 53 weeks(p<0.05).Both cannibalistic injury occurrence and mortality rate in the cages with nest boxes were significantly lower than those in the cages without nest boxes.In conclusion,providing nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating could decrease abnormal pecking behaviors and improve animal welfare conditions of layer breeders.展开更多
Background:For secondary cavity-nesting bird species that do not add lining materials to nests,the presence of old nest material or organic remains that have accumulated within nest cavities from previous breeding eve...Background:For secondary cavity-nesting bird species that do not add lining materials to nests,the presence of old nest material or organic remains that have accumulated within nest cavities from previous breeding events may be a cue of nest-site quality.These materials potentially contain information about past breeding success in con-and heterospecifics and may improve the thermal insulation of eggs during incubation.However,few studies have addressed whether the presence of old nest materials serves as a cue for cavity-nesting raptors when choosing specific nest sites.Methods:We conducted a 9-year nest box experiment to test whether old nest materials from con-and heterospecifics serve as informative cues to the European Kestrel(Falco tinnunculus)when making nest selection decisions,as this species uses nest boxes without adding nesting material.Results:The presence of old nest materials and entrance size best discriminated nest boxes occupied by European Kestrels from unoccupied boxes.Nest boxes containing conspecific organic remains,artificial dry leaf and branch material,and material left behind by Great Tits(Parus major)were reused at higher rates,especially those containing conspecific nest material,than nest boxes containing true or simulated nest materials from predators.In 2010,no single nest box was occupied by the same banded individual that occupied the box in the previous year(10 females and 2 males were banded in 2009).Conclusions:European Kestrels preferred nest boxes containing old nest material over empty boxes,which is consistent with previous findings that they exploit con-and heterospecific cues when deciding where to settle and breed,as old nest or organic material provides substrate for incubating females.Kestrels may be able to assess the predation risks associated with a specific nest site based on experience or the presence of prey remains.The repeated use of nest boxes across breeding seasons by kestrels cannot be entirely ascribed to philopatry.This study provides evidence that old nest materials are potentially used as informative cues when making nest-site selection decisions in European Kestrels.展开更多
Background:Accurate nestling age is valuable for studies on nesting strategies,productivity,and impacts on repro-ductive success.Most aging guides consist of descriptions and photographs that are time consuming to rea...Background:Accurate nestling age is valuable for studies on nesting strategies,productivity,and impacts on repro-ductive success.Most aging guides consist of descriptions and photographs that are time consuming to read and subjective to interpret.The Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana)is a secondary cavity-nesting passerine that nests in coniferous and open deciduous forests.Nest box programs for cavity-nesting species have provided suitable nesting locations and opportunities for data collection on nestling growth and development.Methods:We developed models for predicting the age of Western Bluebird nestlings from morphometric meas-urements using model training and validation.These were developed for mass,tarsus,and two different culmen measurements.Results:Our models were accurate to within less than a day,and each model worked best for a specific age range.The mass and tarsus models can be used to estimate the ages of Western Bluebird nestlings 0-10 days old and were accurate to within 0.5 days for mass and 0.7 days for tarsus.The culmen models can be used to estimate ages of nest-lings 0-15 days old and were also accurate to within less than a day.The daily mean,minimum,and maximum values of each morphometric measurement are provided and can be used in the field for accurate nestling age estimations in real time.Conclusions:The model training and validation procedures used here demonstrate that this method can create aging models that are highly accurate.The methods can be applied to any passerine species provided sufficient nest-ling morphometric data are available.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32170485,31501867)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2572022BE02)。
文摘Artificial nest boxes are placed to attract birds to nest and breed in a specific location,and they are widely used in avian ecology research and in the attraction of insectivorous birds.There is evidence that artificial nest boxes can adversely affect breeding fitness but no great focus has been placed on this issue by researchers.Therefore,we retrieved 321 research papers regarding artificial nest boxes published from 2003 to 2022 and used the'Biblioshiny'program to extract and integrate keywords;we then summarized the adverse effects of artificial nest boxes on avian breeding success.The studies highlighted many drawbacks and misuses in the designing and placement of nest boxes;furthermore,bird attraction was decreased by their inappropriate selection,thus reducing breeding success.Regarding nest box production,there were shortcomings in the construction material,color,smell,and structural design of the boxes used.Nest boxes were also placed at inappropriate densities,locations,orientations,heights,and managed incorrectly.Finally,we propose suggestions for more efficient and safer artificial nest boxes for future use in avian ecology research and bird conservation.
文摘A study was conducted to determine the influence of forest road on breeding of tits in artificial nest boxes in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests in the Gwanak Arboretum （37° 25′ 05＂ N, 126° 56′ 85＂ E） of Seoul National University, Anyang, Korea from November 2002 to June 2003. Three tits species, varied tit （Parus varius）, marsh tit （P. palustris） and great tit （P. major）, breeding in artificial t nest boxes were investigated on number of breeding pairs, cultch size, and egg measurement. Resuls showed that the breeding pairs of varied tit was more in 75-150 m area than in 0-75m area from forest road for all the three study sites, and the clutch size and egg measurements （weight, Major axis and Minor axis） of varied tit was also higher in the area of 75-150 m than in the area of 0-75 m, while no differences in number of breeding pairs and clutch size were found for marsh tit and great tit between the two areas. Egg measurement of great tit was also higher in forest interior area than in forest edge area. It is concluded that varied tit were most significantly influenced by forest road, followed by great tit, whereas marsh tit were not influenced by forest road. Artificial nest box is roved to be good for cavity nester in disturbed areas by human activities. Supply of artificial nest can help population protection and management of bird species.
文摘Background: Changes and increased mechanisation of agricultural practices have influenced the biodiversity composition of farmland habitats and caused a decline of bird communities in many European countries. The removal of shrubs and large trees rich in natural cavities, has also led to a drastic decrease in nest site availability for cavity-nesting bird species. Nest-boxes are a common conservation tool used to improve nest-site availability, and have helped to reverse declines in many endangered bird populations. Nonetheless to maximize the results of such interventions it is crucial to know where nest-boxes should be sited. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the nest-box program for the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) population of Lazio region (Central Italy). More specifically, we focused on what landscape features were preferred (or avoided) in the process of nest box selection and how they influenced population’s breeding parameters. Particular attention was paid to identifying potential limitations and to provide management recommendations for future interventions. Methods: Using data from 70 nest boxes sited on power lines monitored over a 7-year period (representing 140 breeding attempts), we developed probability functions to evaluate if nest box location, in terms of distance from habitat resources and habitat composition and structure, had an effect on nest box occupancy and on the main reproductive parameters. Results: Nest boxes were more likely to be occupied if they were located near arable fields and in areas characterized by a higher amount of incoming solar radiation. Higher fledging success was associated with fallow fields and with a moderate/low habitat structural complexity. Higher breeding success was associated with solar radiation and with greater distance from urban areas. Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of specific habitat variables in influencing nest occupancy, and show which drivers primarily affect species’ reproduction and persistence over time. Siting nest boxes in habitats where occupancy rate and fledging success is higher, such as in arable and fallow fields and on south-facing slopes where solar radiation is maximised, may help to extend the suitable habitat for rollers and facilitate its local expansion.
基金supported by LG Evergreen Foundation,Republic of Korea
文摘In this study, we examined the use of artificial nest boxes by Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) in three coniferous and mixed forests in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Six hundred and twelve boxes with different sized entry holes (ranging from 3 to 7 cm in diameter) were placed in the forests between 2004 and 2009. Pteromys volans used nine boxes in the coniferous forests and two boxes in the mixed forests. The squirrels only used boxes with entrance holes measuring 3.5, 4, and 5 cm in diameter, showing a strong and moderate preference for boxes with 5 and 4-cm holes, respectively, and a strong avoidance for boxes with 3- and 7-cm holes. Therefore, we suggest placing artificial nest boxes with entrance holes 5 cm in diameter to encourage breeding activity. Most nests made in the artificial boxes were composed of fibrous materials from woody vines. We recommend placing artificial nest boxes with holes of 5-cm diameter in coniferous forests, which support dense populations of P. volans, to survey whether this approach would positively affect the breeding habits and population maintenance of this species.
基金This research was funded by China Agricultural Research System(CARS-40)Beijing Science&Technology Committee Special Project(Z171100002217018).
文摘Colony cages for natural mating have been applied on many layer breeder farms.However,feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism are considered as prominent problems for these systems.This study aimed to investigate the effects on feather pecking and vent pecking behaviors by providing layer breeders with nest boxes(0.90 m L×0.40 m W×0.60 m H)in colony cages for natural mating(4.80 m L×1.20 m W×0.71 m H).Video recording and artificial observation were adopted.The results showed that the usage of nest boxes gradually increased from the beginning of nest boxes providing at the age of 37 weeks to the end of the experiment at the age of 55 weeks.The utilization rates of nest boxes were 36.75%,44.75%and 50.38%at the ages of 41 weeks,47 weeks and 53 weeks,respectively.The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed significantly more frequent gentle feather pecks(both given and received)than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 41 weeks,47 weeks and 53 weeks.A decreasing trend of gentle feather pecking frequency(both given and received)was found with the increasing age for both the two groups.No significant difference was found in the number of given or received severe feather pecks at the age of 41 weeks.The hens in the cages without nest boxes showed a significantly higher frequency of given and received severe feather pecks than hens in the cages with nest boxes at the ages of 47 weeks and 53 weeks(p<0.05).Both cannibalistic injury occurrence and mortality rate in the cages with nest boxes were significantly lower than those in the cages without nest boxes.In conclusion,providing nest boxes in colony cages for natural mating could decrease abnormal pecking behaviors and improve animal welfare conditions of layer breeders.
基金financed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31770419,31272331,30970375,30400047 to HW)the Postdoctoral Program of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center in North-east China(No.150482 to WO)
文摘Background:For secondary cavity-nesting bird species that do not add lining materials to nests,the presence of old nest material or organic remains that have accumulated within nest cavities from previous breeding events may be a cue of nest-site quality.These materials potentially contain information about past breeding success in con-and heterospecifics and may improve the thermal insulation of eggs during incubation.However,few studies have addressed whether the presence of old nest materials serves as a cue for cavity-nesting raptors when choosing specific nest sites.Methods:We conducted a 9-year nest box experiment to test whether old nest materials from con-and heterospecifics serve as informative cues to the European Kestrel(Falco tinnunculus)when making nest selection decisions,as this species uses nest boxes without adding nesting material.Results:The presence of old nest materials and entrance size best discriminated nest boxes occupied by European Kestrels from unoccupied boxes.Nest boxes containing conspecific organic remains,artificial dry leaf and branch material,and material left behind by Great Tits(Parus major)were reused at higher rates,especially those containing conspecific nest material,than nest boxes containing true or simulated nest materials from predators.In 2010,no single nest box was occupied by the same banded individual that occupied the box in the previous year(10 females and 2 males were banded in 2009).Conclusions:European Kestrels preferred nest boxes containing old nest material over empty boxes,which is consistent with previous findings that they exploit con-and heterospecific cues when deciding where to settle and breed,as old nest or organic material provides substrate for incubating females.Kestrels may be able to assess the predation risks associated with a specific nest site based on experience or the presence of prey remains.The repeated use of nest boxes across breeding seasons by kestrels cannot be entirely ascribed to philopatry.This study provides evidence that old nest materials are potentially used as informative cues when making nest-site selection decisions in European Kestrels.
文摘Background:Accurate nestling age is valuable for studies on nesting strategies,productivity,and impacts on repro-ductive success.Most aging guides consist of descriptions and photographs that are time consuming to read and subjective to interpret.The Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana)is a secondary cavity-nesting passerine that nests in coniferous and open deciduous forests.Nest box programs for cavity-nesting species have provided suitable nesting locations and opportunities for data collection on nestling growth and development.Methods:We developed models for predicting the age of Western Bluebird nestlings from morphometric meas-urements using model training and validation.These were developed for mass,tarsus,and two different culmen measurements.Results:Our models were accurate to within less than a day,and each model worked best for a specific age range.The mass and tarsus models can be used to estimate the ages of Western Bluebird nestlings 0-10 days old and were accurate to within 0.5 days for mass and 0.7 days for tarsus.The culmen models can be used to estimate ages of nest-lings 0-15 days old and were also accurate to within less than a day.The daily mean,minimum,and maximum values of each morphometric measurement are provided and can be used in the field for accurate nestling age estimations in real time.Conclusions:The model training and validation procedures used here demonstrate that this method can create aging models that are highly accurate.The methods can be applied to any passerine species provided sufficient nest-ling morphometric data are available.
