人工巢箱条件下的大山雀巢捕食

于2004—2008年在次生阔叶林中,采用悬挂巢箱的方法对大山雀的巢捕食作了研究。结果表明:不同年龄巢箱的被捕食率显著不同,新巢箱被捕食率最低,第2年被捕食率最高,第3年下降很大,第4年又略有上升。被捕食巢的窝卵数极显著的低于未被捕食巢的窝卵数。影响巢捕食的主要生境因子为巢箱高度和巢上盖度,其次为灌木的密度和高度。     

人工巢箱繁殖鸟类主要巢捕食者及其影响因素

巢捕食是影响鸟类繁殖成功率的一个重要因素,也是鸟类繁殖生态研究中的一项重要内容。确定鸟类的主要巢捕食者及影响巢捕食的因素对于了解鸟类繁殖成功率、种群增长率及种群数量等具有重要意义。2009—2012年,对辽宁仙人洞国家级自然保护区人工巢箱中繁殖的杂色山雀(Parus varius)、沼泽山雀(P.palustris)、大山雀(P.major)和白眉姬鹟(Ficedula zanthopygia)四种鸟类的巢捕食率及影响巢捕食的因素进行了研究。研究共记录到238个繁殖巢(杂色山雀74巢、沼泽山雀21巢、大山雀118巢、白眉姬鹟25巢),其中35巢被捕食,捕食率为14.7%,雏鸟期被捕食占91.4%。巢捕食率在4种鸟类之间无差异(x~2=0.429,df=3,P=0.934)。以锦蛇(Elaphe spp.)为代表的蛇类是该地区小型森林洞巣鸟类繁殖期主要捕食者,占总捕食率的94.3%。对影响巢捕食的22个相关因子进行二元逻辑斯蒂回归分析发现,坡度、地面裸露率、草本盖度对巢捕食具有显著性影响;出雏时间、坡位、距碎石块距离对巢捕食的影响接近显著水平;而巢高、树粗、巢箱年龄、窝卵数、距路距离等对巢捕食无显著影响。因此,处于坡度较陡,坡位较高,草本覆盖率较高,地面裸露率较低,距碎石块距离较近,且出雏时间较晚的巢更容易被捕食。     

基于红外相机技术和人工巢试验分析白冠长尾雉巢潜在捕食者

为了了解保护区内外的白冠长尾雉繁殖生态,2014年3—7月在河南董寨国家级自然保护区和保护区外湖北平靖关村利用人工巢试验(以鸡蛋为诱饵)、红外相机技术和栖息地样方调查搜集巢捕食信息,对其巢捕食率、巢潜在捕食者和影响巢捕食的栖息地因子进行研究.两轮试验分别为繁殖期前期3—4月和繁殖期中期5—6月.试验共放置巢149个,其中红外相机监测62个,累计相机日1315个,拍摄照片7776张,视频6950个.结果表明: 保护区外(平靖关)巢捕食率高于保护区内(董寨),繁殖期前期和繁殖期中期保护区内外差异均极显著.平靖关捕食者种类数(11和6种)在繁殖期前期和中期均高于董寨(7和5种),平靖关捕食者比例较高的是啮齿类和鸦科鸟类,董寨捕食比例较高的是貉.平靖关坡度和乔木盖度对巢捕食影响显著,而董寨的落叶盖度对其影响显著.在红外监测的人工巢中共发现野生白冠长尾雉访问人工巢13巢18次.     

营巢植物影响红头长尾山雀的巢被捕食风险

巢址选择对鸟类的巢捕食率具有重要影响,研究鸟类的巢址特征与巢捕食率之间的关系有利于揭示不同巢址特征对鸟类成功繁殖的作用。本研究以2014至2017年在河南董寨国家级自然保护区观察的红头长尾山雀(Aegithalos concinnus)为研究对象,分析了红头长尾山雀在卵期(产卵及孵卵期)(n = 124巢)及育雏期(n = 119巢)被捕食巢和成功巢的日存活率与发现巢的时间和营巢植物种类之间的关系,同时还根据其巢址的总体特征对其巢址安全性进行评级,以探究研究者评估的巢址安全等级对预测巢存活率的有效性。结果显示：在卵期,营巢于竹类植物(如箬竹Indocalamus tessellatus和刚竹属Phyllostachys sp.植物)、茶(Camellia sinensis)、灌草类植物(如蔷薇Rosa spp.和禾本科Gramineae植物)和杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)上的红头长尾山雀巢的日存活率皆显著高于在松柏类植物(如油松Pinus massoniana、侧柏Platycladus orientalis和圆柏Juniperus chinensis)上的巢;在育雏期,营巢于灌草类植物上巢的日存活率显著低于竹类、杉木和茶树上巢的日存活率。卵期巢的日存活率随巢日龄的增加而显著降低,但育雏期巢的日存活率不随巢日龄显著变化。此外,巢的日存活率与发现巢的日期之间没有显著关系,研究者评估为巢址安全等级不同的巢,其日存活率也无显著差异。综上所述,本研究的结果表明,营巢于某些特定植物有助于降低红头长尾山雀面临的巢捕食风险,说明营巢植物种类对鸟类的繁殖成功率具有重要影响。     

营巢类型、巢捕食和窝卵数对高寒草甸雀形目雏鸟生长期的影响

根据1998—2001年高寒草甸10种雀形目鸟类的窝卵数、雏期和巢捕食数据,以Logistic方程拟合雏鸟生长过程,并计算出有关生长率参数;根据营巢类型将10种雀形目鸟划分为开放或半开放类群(GOB)和全封闭穴居类群(HCB)两类,将把雏鸟的生长过程划分为3个生长期(缓增期、快增期和渐增期)。3个生长期占雏期的比例因营巢类型而异,GOB类群快增期>渐增期>缓增期;HCB类群渐增期>快增期>缓增期。分析营巢类型、巢捕食和窝卵数与各生长期之间的关系,结果表明3个生长期的体重积累占离巢时体重的比例因巢型不同而有显著差异;营巢类型和巢捕食显著影响各生长期占雏期的比例和体重积累占离巢时体重的比例;窝卵数影响快增期和渐增期长度,而不影响缓增期长度。快增期体重积累与渐增期的生长率不相关,但与渐增期长度显著相关。因此,前期的能量积累不影响后期生长率,而影响后期生长的长度。该结果进一步印证在晚成鸟中不存在补偿性生长。     

浙江淳安千岛湖发现一例白化乌鸫

黄腹角雉(Tragopan caboti)为我国特有雉类，国家一级重点保护野生动物。2010至2021年通过视频监测技术、红外相机监测与人工观察，对浙江省乌岩岭国家级自然保护区内的黄腹角雉巢卵被天敌危害情况进行了调查。基于42个黄腹角雉人工巢监测数据(36巢视频远程监控，2巢红外相机监测，4巢人工观察)，野生黄腹角雉巢被天敌破坏的比率为54.8%，其中91.3%被破坏巢中的卵为王锦蛇(Elaphe carinata)所捕食，表明王锦蛇是黄腹角雉巢卵最主要的天敌。捕食黄腹角雉卵的天敌还包括松鸦(Garrulus glandarius)与黄喉貂(Martes flavigula)，可能的天敌有灰树鹊(Dendrocitta formosae)、黄腹鼬(Mustela kathiah)及短尾猴(Macaca arctoides)等。本研究基于视频资料揭示了野生黄腹角雉种群的天敌情况，结合文献资料，我们推测黄腹角雉较长的孵卵期与离巢时间可能是造成其巢卵损失率高的主要原因，本研究结果对这一濒危物种的保护与繁育工作具有重要意义。     

高寒草甸几种雀形目鸟类的卵反射率分析

于2010~2013年的繁殖季节,在中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位站收集了9种青藏高原常见雀形目鸟类的卵,分别进行了反射率测量。测量光谱范围为可见光(400~750 nm)和短波近红外(750~1050 nm)。卵在两个波段光谱的反射率分别是0.066和0.123,二者差异极显著。在可见光范围内,除赭红尾鸲Phoenicurus ochruros的波峰在绿色光范围内,其他物种都在黄色光范围内;在短波近红外范围内,反射率明显分为3个组,以角百灵和小云雀的地面开放巢较高,黄嘴朱顶雀和黄腹柳莺的灌丛巢较低,其他种居中;开放巢及封闭巢的卵反射率在可见光范围无显著差异,但在短波近红外范围有显著差异。我们认为,在青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统中,植被郁闭度低,地面营巢环境不利于巢与卵的遮阳,造成营开放度高的地面巢的鸟卵近红外反射率相对较高,而灌丛巢和封闭巢的雀形目鸟类鸟卵相对较低,但对可见光谱的卵反射率各物种差异不显著。     

贵州宽阔水自然保护区鸟类地面巢捕食者的调查

巢捕食是导致鸟类繁殖失败的主要原因之一。2012年5—7月,在贵州宽阔水自然保护区,采用红外自动摄像机对鸟类地面巢的捕食者进行了调查。在15个自然巢中监测到7个捕食事件,包括黄鼬(Mustela sibirica)2个(28.6%),红嘴蓝鹊(Urocissa erythrorhyncha)、喜鹊(Pica pica)、果子狸(Paguma larvata)、白腹巨鼠(Rattus edwardsi)和王锦蛇(Rattus edwardsi)各1个(占14.3%)。在22个人工巢中共记录到17个捕食事件,其中果子狸11个(64.7%),白腹巨鼠5个(29.4%),红嘴蓝鹊1个(5.9%)。兽类捕食者占83.3%,是鸟类地面巢的主要捕食者。各种捕食者捕食的时间不同,兽类捕食者主要出现在黄昏到凌晨之间,而鸟类和蛇类捕食者主要出现在白天。     

小杜鹃对强脚树莺的巢寄生及其卯色模拟

于1999-2009年的鸟类繁殖季(4-8月)对贵州宽阔水自然保护区内的强脚树莺(Cettia fortipes)的繁殖进行监测,并采用光纤光谱仪,通过_芏成分分析、反射光谱、罗宾逊投射等方法对强脚树莺的卵色与小杜鹃(Cuculuspoliocephalus)对其寄生的卵色模拟程度进行分析.研究结果表明,强脚树莺的繁殖成效在不同年份间均尤显著差异,但其巢被捕食率和巢被寄生率都较高,分别为49.26%和9.18%.通过反射光谱分析,表明小杜鹃卵在色调和色度上高度模拟强脚树莺的卵,但其亮度高于宿主卵,而且在人眼无法探测的紫外光部分存在差异.     

Different nest predator faunas and nest predation risk on ground and shrub nests at forest ecotones: an experiment and a review

This study examined predator faunas of artificial ground and shrub nests and whether nest predation risk was influenced by nest site, proximity to forest edge, and habitat structure in 38 grassland plots in south-central Sweden. There was a clear separation of predator faunas between shrub and ground nests as identified from marks in plasticine eggs. Corvids accounted for almost all predation on shrub nests whereas mammals mainly depredated ground nests. Nest predation risk was significantly greater for shrub than for ground nests at all distances (i.e. 0, 15 and 30 m) from the forest edge. However, nest predation risk was not significantly related to distance to forest edge, but significantly increased with decreasing distance to the nearest tree. Different corvid species robbed nests at different distances from the forest edge, with jays robbing nests closest to edges. We conclude that the relationship between the predation risk of grassland bird nests and distance to the forest edge mainly depends on the relative importance of different nest predator species and on the structure of the forest edge zone. A review of published articles on artificial shrub and ground nest predation in the temperate zone corroborated the results of our own study, namely that shrub nests experienced higher rates of depredation in open habitats close to the forest edge and that avian predators predominantly robbed shrub nests. Furthermore, the review results showed that predation rates on nests in general are highest <50 m inside the forest and lower in open as well as forest interior habitats (≥50 m from the edge). Received: 16 March 1998 / Accepted: 30 July 1998     

Compounding effects of habitat fragmentation and predation on bird nests

Habitat fragmentation and invasive species are two of the greatest threats to species diversity worldwide. This is particularly relevant for oceanic islands with vulnerable endemics. Here, we examine how habitat fragmentation influences nest predation by Rattus spp. on cup‐nesting birds in Samoan forests. We determined models for predicting predation rates by Rattus on artificial nests at two scales: (i) the position of the bird's nest within the landscape (e.g. proximity to mixed crop plantations, distance to forest edge); and (ii) the microhabitat in the immediate vicinity of the nest (e.g. nest height, ground cover, slope). Nest cameras showed only one mammal predator, the black rat (Rattus rattus), predating artificial nests. The optimal model predicting nest predation rates by black rats included a landscape variable, proximity to plantations and a local nest site variable, the percentage of low (<15 cm) ground cover surrounding the nest tree. Predation rates were 22 ± 13% higher for nests in forest edges near mixed crop plantations than in edges without plantations. In contrast, predation rates did not vary significantly between edge habitat where the matrix did not contain plantations, and interior forest sites (>1 km from the edge). As ground cover reduced, nest predation rates increased. Waxtags containing either coconut or peanut butter were used as a second method for assessing nest predation. The rates at which these were chewed followed patterns similar to the predation of the artificial nests. Rural development in Samoa will increase the proportion of forest edge near plantations. Our results suggest that this will increase the proportion of forest birds that experience nest predation from black rats. Further research is required to determine if rat control is needed to maintain even interior forest sites populations of predator‐sensitive bird species on South Pacific islands.     

Forest fragmentation and avian nest predation in forested landscapes

Summary The size of forest fragments, the use of land bordering fragments, and the distance of nests from an edge all affect the frequency of predation upon bird nests in Maine (USA), an area where the forest has been fragmented by roads, but not significantly reduced in area. We placed artificial nests containing quail eggs in forests of different sizes and at various distances from the edge to test which of these factors was most important in describing predation. Predation was greatest in small tracts surrounded completely by land. Large areas and those bordered on at least one side by a large water body had lower predation rates. This suggests that influx of predators from nearby habitats may be responsible for much of the nest predation in forest fragments.     

An ecological paradox: More woodland predators and less artificial nest predation in landscapes colonized by noisy miners

Many passerine bird populations, particularly those that have open‐cup nests, are in decline in agricultural landscapes. Current theory suggests that an increase in habitat generalist predators in response to landscape change is partially responsible for these declines. However, empirical tests have failed to reach a consensus on how and through what mechanisms landscape change affects nest predation. We tested one hypothesis, the Additive Predation Model, with an artificial nest experiment in fragmented landscapes in southern Queensland, Australia. We employed structural equation modelling of the influence of the relative density of woodland and habitat generalist predators and landscape features at the nest, site, patch and landscape scales on the probability of nest predation. We found little support for the Additive Predation Model, with no significant influence of the density of woodland predators on the probability of nest predation, although landscape features at different spatial scales were important. Within woodlands fragmented by agriculture in eastern Australia, the presence of noisy miner colonies appears to influence ecological processes important for nest predation such that the Additive Predation Model does not hold. In the absence of colonies of the aggressive native bird, the noisy miner, the influence of woodland predators on the risk of artificial nest predation was low compared with that of habitat generalist predators. Outside noisy miner colonies, we found significant edge effects with greater predation rates for artificial nests within woodland patches located closer to the agricultural matrix. Furthermore, the density of habitat generalist predators increased with the extent of irrigated land‐use, suggesting that in the absence of noisy miner colonies, nest predation increases with land‐use intensity at the landscape scale.     

Nest position and type affect predation rates of artificial avian nests in the tropical lowland forest on Mount Cameroon

Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and thus it shapes their life history strategies. Intensities of nest predation appear to differ among nest locations and types in both temperate and tropical regions. However, there is limited knowledge of factors influencing susceptibility of avian nests to predation in Africa. The aim of our study was to investigate artificial nest predation rates of different ground and shrub nests located at different heights in the rainforest undergrowth. We placed artificial avian nests within a homogeneous lowland forest interior with sparse forest undergrowth in the Mount Cameroon National Park, Cameroon. We exposed three sets of nests: 50 bare-ground, 50 cup-ground and 50 cup-shrub nests, for 10 d. Predation was higher for cup-ground nests compared to cup-shrub nests, and bare-ground nests were more depredated than cup-ground nests. We concluded that the presence of a cup as well as higher nest position significantly increased probability of artificial nest survival. The results of this study suggest a potential selection pressure on nest type and placement in lowland forest birds for a poorly known tropical region.     

Tropical forest fragmentation and nest predation – an experimental study in an Eastern Arc montane forest, Tanzania

When a habitat becomes fragmented and surrounded by another habitat this generally causes an increase in predation pressure at habitat transitions, often referred to as an edge effect. Edge effect in the form of enhanced nest predation intensities is one of the most cited explanations for bird population declines in fragmented landscapes. Here, we report results from a nest predation experiment conducted in a tropical montane forest landscape in the Uzungwa Mts., Tanzania. Using artificial nests with chicken eggs, we determined predation rates across a fragmentation gradient. The proportion of indigenous forest in four landscapes used in the study were 0.29, 0.58, 0.75 to 1.0. Nest predation intensities on artificial nests were about 19% higher inside intact forest than at edges in fragmented forest landscapes. Furthermore, predation intensities were relatively constant across a forest fragmentation gradient. Our results thus challenge the applicability and generality of the edge effect, derived from studies almost exclusively conducted in temperate regions rather than tropical forest ecosystems. Nest predation levels differences between tropical montane forest and that reported in other forest ecosystems are discussed.     

Predation as a landscape effect: the trading off by prey species between predation risks and protection benefits

1. Predators impose costs on their prey but may also provide benefits such as protection against other (e.g. nest) predators. The optimal breeding location in relation to the distance from a nesting raptor varies so as to minimize the sum of costs of adult and nest predation. We provide a conceptual model to account for variation in the relative predation risks and derive qualitative predictions for how different prey species should respond to the distance from goshawk Accipiter gentilis nests. 2. We test the model predictions using a comprehensive collection of data from northern Finland and central Norway. First, we carried out a series of experiments with artificial bird nests to test if goshawks may provide protection against nest predation. Second, we conducted standard bird censuses and nest-box experiments to detect how the density or territory occupancy of several prey species varies with distance from the nearest goshawk nest. 3. Nest predation rate increased with distance from goshawk nest indicating that goshawks may provide protection for birds' nests against nest predation. Abundance (or probability of presence) of the main prey species of goshawks peaked at intermediate distances from goshawk nests, reflecting the trade-off. The abundance of small songbird species decreased with distance from goshawk nests. The goshawk poses little risk to small songbirds and they may benefit from goshawk proximity in protection against nest predation. Finally, no pattern with distance in pied flycatcher territory (nest box) occupation rate or the onset of egg-laying was detected. This is expected, as flycatchers neither suffer from marked nest predation risk nor are favoured goshawk prey. 4. Our results suggest that territory location in relation to the nest of a predator is a trade-off situation where adult birds weigh the risk of themselves being predated against the benefits accrued from increased nest survival. Prey species appear able to detect and measure alternative predation risks, and respond adaptively. From the prey perspective, the landscape is a mosaic of habitat patches the quality of which varies according to structural and floristic features, but also to the spatial distribution of predators.     

Distance from riparian edge reduces brood parasitism of southwestern willow flycatchers,whereas parasitism increases nest predation risk

The southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) is a federally endangered subspecies that breeds in increasingly fragmented and threatened habitat. We examined whether temporal and habitat characteristics were associated with risk of predation and probability of brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on flycatcher nests at 6 sites in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, USA. For nest predation, we found the most support for a model that included date and an interaction between parasitism status and nesting stage. Daily nest survival decreased from 0.87 (95% CI = 0.81–0.93) to 0.78 (95% CI = 0.72–0.84) through the season for parasitized nests but remained relatively constant for unparasitized nests (0.93, 95% CI = 0.91–0.95 to 0.92, 95% CI = 0.91–93). Parasitized nests had lower survival than non-parasitized nests during the incubation (0.85, 95% CI = 0.84–0.86 vs. 0.92, CI = 0.91–0.93) and nestling (0.79, 95% CI = 0.77–0.81 vs. 0.91, 95% CI = 0.90–0.92) stages. Of the variables included in our parasitism candidate models, model-averaged coefficients and odds ratios supported only distance to habitat edge; odds of parasitism decreased 1% for every 1 m from the habitat edge. Nests greater than 100 m from an edge were 50% less likely to be parasitized as those on an edge, however, only 52 of 233 nests (22%) were found at this distance. Where management and conservation goals include reducing nest losses due to parasitism, we recommend restoration of habitat patches that minimize edge and maximize breeding habitat further from edges. At sites where cowbirds have been documented as important nest predators, controlling cowbirds may be one option, but further study of the link between parasitism and nest predation and the identification of major nest predators at specific sites is warranted. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Cropland edge,forest succession,and landscape affect shrubland bird nest predation

The effects of habitat edges on nest survival of shrubland birds, many of which have experienced significant declines in the eastern United States, have not been thoroughly studied. In 2007 and 2008, we collected data on nests of 5 shrubland passerine species in 12 early successional forest patches in North Carolina, USA. We used model selection methods to assess the effect of distance to cropland and mature forest edge on nest predation rates and additionally accounted for temporal trends, nest stage, vegetation structure, and landscape context. For nests of all species combined, nest predation decreased with increasing distance to cropland edge, by nearly 50% at 250 m from the cropland edge. Nest predation of all species combined also was higher in patches with taller saplings and less understory vegetation, especially in the second year of our study when trees were 4–6 m tall. Predation of field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) nests was lower in landscapes with higher agricultural landcover. Nest predation risk for shrubland birds appears to be greater near agricultural edges than mature forest edges, and natural forest succession may drive patterns of local extirpation of shrubland birds in early successional forest patches. Thus, we suggest that habitat patches managed for shrubland bird populations should be considerably large or wide (>250 m) when adjacent to crop fields and maintained in structurally diverse early seral stages. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Habitat edges affect patterns of artificial nest predation along a wetland-meadow boundary

Wetland habitats are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world. However, little is known about factors affecting the nesting success of birds in pristine grass-dominated wetlands. During three breeding periods we conducted an experiment with artificial ground nests to test two basic mechanisms (the matrix and ecotonal effects) that may result in edge effects on nest predation in grass-dominated wetland habitats. Whereas the matrix effect model supposes that predator penetrate from habitat of higher predator density to habitat of lower predator density, thus causing an edge effect in the latter, according to the ecotonal effect model predators preferentially use edge habitats over habitat interiors. In addition, we tested the edge effect in a wetland habitat using artificial shrub nests that simulated the real nests of small open-cup nesting passerines. In our study area, the lowest predation rates on ground nests were found in wetland interiors and were substantially higher along the edges of both wetland and meadow habitat. However, predation was not significantly different between meadow and wetland interiors, indicating that both mechanisms can be responsible for the edge effect in wetland edges. An increased predation rate along wetland edges was also observed for shrub nests, and resembled the predation pattern of real shrub nests in the same study area. Though we are not able to distinguish between the two mechanisms of the edge effect found, our results demonstrate that species nesting in wetland edges bordering arable land may be exposed to higher predation. Therefore, an increase in the size of wetland patches that would lead to a reduced proportion of edge areas might be a suitable management practice to protect wetland bird species in cultural European landscapes.