人工巢箱对次级洞巢鸟类多样性及繁殖鸟类群落稳定性的作用

人工巢箱在鸟类研究与保护中的使用越来越广泛, 但是人工巢箱对鸟类群落的影响并不清楚, 人工巢箱在鸟类群落保护过程中所扮演的角色仍然值得商榷。我们于2007年3–8月, 在北京门头沟区小龙门国家森林公园选择两块海拔及植被情况相似的样地, 一块悬挂50个人工巢箱, 另一块作为对照。我们调查了巢箱利用情况、巢箱内鸟类的繁殖情况及两样地的植被群落和鸟类群落。50个巢箱中有20个分别被褐头山雀(Parus songarus)、白眉姬鹟(Ficedula zanthopygia)、普通鳾(Sitta europaea)及大山雀(Parus major)占用。通过比较分析得知, 人工巢箱使实验样地白眉姬鹟的种群密度显著增加, 使实验样地次级洞巢鸟类群落的多样性指数(H’)和群落种间相遇率(PIE)显著高于对照样地, 而优势度指数(λ)显著低于对照样地。同时, 繁殖鸟类群落的相应指数也呈现出相同变化。这种变化更多地应该归因于人工巢箱的调节作用。通过这次研究, 我们认为人工巢箱影响了一部分次级洞巢鸟的分布模式, 并通过影响鸟类多度影响了次级洞巢鸟的多样性, 增加了一部分利用巢箱鸟类的种群密度, 进而使得实验样地繁殖鸟类多样性增加, 个体数量差异降低, 而群落均匀性增加。巢箱的悬挂对次生林鸟类群落保护产生了积极的影响。     

四种同域分布洞巢鸟的巢址特征比较

洞巢鸟集团是中国东北地区温带次生林内鸟类群落的重要组成部分,对于其巢址特征的比较研究有助于深入了解鸟类群落动态的内在机制。作者于2008年4-7月,对吉林大岗林场4种主要洞巢鸟的巢址特征进行了调查,并从多尺度(巢树、巢址和活动区)比较分析,进而探讨了初级洞巢鸟与次级洞巢鸟的关系。共发现160个繁殖巢,其中初级洞巢鸟58巢,包括大斑啄木鸟(Dendrocopos major)24巢和灰头绿啄木鸟(Picus canus)21巢;次级洞巢鸟102巢,包括白眉姬鹟(Ficedula zanthopygia)38巢和普通?(Sitta europaea)45巢。初级洞巢鸟对巢树无显著选择性,而次级洞巢鸟对巢树有显著选择性,以白皮柳(Salix pierrotii)为主。灰头绿啄木鸟的洞口主要朝南,而其他3种洞巢鸟对洞口朝向没有显著的选择性。初级洞巢鸟巢址特征的差异主要表现在巢树和巢址尺度上,而次级洞巢鸟在3个尺度上均有显著差异。逻辑斯蒂回归分析表明,区分大斑啄木鸟和灰头绿啄木鸟洞巢的关键因子为洞口直径和洞巢内径,即洞巢的大小;区分白眉姬鹟和普通?洞巢的关键因子为巢树树冠高度和洞口深度。也就是说,初级洞巢鸟之间以及次级洞巢鸟之间巢址特征的最主要差异均在巢树尺度上。判别分析表明,普通?倾向于选择灰头绿啄木鸟提供的洞巢,而白眉姬鹟偏好于大斑啄木鸟提供的洞巢。由于啄木鸟所凿洞巢的大小不同,导致了次级洞巢鸟对其巢址的差异性选择。因此,洞巢的大小是影响同域分布的洞巢鸟巢址利用的最重要因素。     

悬挂巢箱对次级洞巢鸟类选择天然洞的影响

于2005～2007年3～7月采用在试验样地中添加巢位(悬挂巢箱)与对照样地比较的方法,探讨悬挂巢箱是否影响天然洞的入住率,并为次级洞巢鸟类提供巢位资源,进而增加繁殖种群的数量.结果发现,无论是试验样地还是对照样地,总的入住数量年间差异不显著,种类间差异显著;天然洞之间(无论是否悬挂巢箱)的入住率差异不显著;人工巢箱与...     

次级洞巢鸟对次生林天然树洞的利用

1996年 3～ 7月对吉林省左家自然保护区次生阔叶混交林中的 5种次级洞巢鸟的巢位选择进行了研究 ,所涉及的 5种次级洞巢鸟为大山雀 (Parusmajor)、沼泽山雀 (Paruspalustris)、普通 (Sittaeuropacea)、白眉姬 (Ficedulazanthopygia)、灰椋鸟 (Sturnuscineraceus)。研究表明 :5种次级洞巢鸟在位巢选择中 ,对洞口横径、洞口纵径、洞内径、洞深和洞口方向的选择具有共性。利用的洞口 ,方向在 180°～ 2 2 5°和 315°～ 36 0°分布最少 ;而未利用的洞口 ,方向在这 2个区间的分布恰好相反。利用和未利用的巢洞特征因子差异显著。人为堵塞后又打开的巢洞会迅速被再利用 ,结果说明次生林中天然树洞资源成为次级洞巢鸟巢位选择的限制因子。     

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。     

不同纬度洞巢鸟类对人工巢箱的利用及差异

迄今对洞巢鸟类生活史特征的纬度变异（特别是热带洞巢鸟类的繁殖）了解还十分有限。我们于2018年3至8月,分别在海南吊罗山（热带）、河南董寨（亚热带）和河北塞罕坝（温带）的林缘地带,悬挂相同规格的人工巢箱招引洞巢鸟类繁殖,用以比较不同地理区域的洞巢鸟类对人工巢箱的利用情况及其孵化成效和繁殖成功率。野外共悬挂577个木制巢箱,3个研究地的利用率在海南吊罗山为最低（32.6%）,河南董寨最高（92.0%）。3个地点均有大山雀（Parus cinereus）入住（占总巢数的84.3%）,其孵化成效和繁殖成功率在3个地点不存在显著差异（P > 0.05）。但在河北塞罕坝,大山雀的孵化成效（75.7%）和繁殖成功率（65.7%）显著低于同域繁殖的褐头山雀（Poecile montanus）（97.7% 和97.7%）和煤山雀（Periparus ater）（93.5%和90.3%）（P < 0.05）。研究表明,3个地理区域利用巢箱繁殖的洞巢鸟的种类、数量以及对巢箱的利用率均存在差异,但对于广布种大山雀来说,地理位置的差异并不影响其孵化成效和繁殖成功率。     

千岛湖栖息地片段化对大山雀营巢资源利用的影响

为了解栖息地片段化对次级洞巢鸟营巢资源利用的影响, 我们于2008年2-8月, 在千岛湖地区选取21个岛屿, 采用悬挂人工巢箱方法进行大山雀(Parus major)招引实验。通过测定岛屿面积、岛屿隔离度、捕食者活动率、人工巢箱周围植被盖度和人工巢箱巢向等5种参数, 分析大山雀人工巢箱利用与上述参数间的关系。实验期间, 共悬挂443个人工巢箱, 其中有72个(16.3%)被大山雀利用。大山雀倾向于选择捕食者活动率低、植被盖度低、巢口向东或向南的人工巢箱; 岛屿面积和隔离度对大山雀利用人工巢箱不存在显著的直接影响, 但岛屿面积可通过影响捕食者的活动率, 对大山雀利用人工巢箱产生间接影响。因此, 我们认为在栖息地片段化后, 应更多关注对洞巢鸟营巢资源利用有直接影响的栖息地特征因素, 以及片段化效应的间接影响。     

利用天然树洞繁殖的五种鸟的巢位特征及繁殖成功率

对吉林省左家自然保护区次生阔叶林中的大山雀 ( Parusmajor)、沼泽山雀 ( Paruspalustris)、普通跓( Sitta europacea)、白眉姬? ( Ficedula zanthopygia)和灰椋鸟 ( Sturnus cineraceus) 5种利用天然树洞繁殖的次级洞巢鸟进行了巢位选择和繁殖成功率研究。本研究中共发现 1 41巢。五种鸟对树洞类型的选择存在种间差异 ,普通跓不利用裂洞 ,沼泽山雀不利用啄洞 ,其它 3种鸟对 3种洞均有利用 ,但有一定的倾向性。对 5种鸟 9个巢位变量的比较中 ,只有洞口方向差异不显著 ( p >0 .0 5 ) ,其它 8个变量均差异显著 ( p<0 .0 5 ) ,该结果说明 5种次级洞巢鸟对巢位的选择具有其各自的需求。洞口横径、洞口纵径、洞处树直径、洞内径、巢距地高是巢位选择重要变量 ,它们决定不同种类对树洞的利用。巢损失多数出现在产卵之前和孵化阶段 ,44个繁殖失败的巢中有 35个在这两个阶段损失。大山雀的巢成功率最低 ,灰椋鸟的巢成功率最高。 5种鸟的孵化率都超过 90 %。人为破坏和动物捕食是繁殖失败的主要原因 ,占总数的 61 .4%。洞巢鸟巢位选择中的重要变量影响繁殖成功。普通跓繁殖是否成功受洞口横径和巢高影响 ,沼泽山雀受洞口纵径、树胸径和洞内径影响 ,大山雀受洞口横径、巢高和洞内径影响 ,灰椋鸟受洞内径和洞深影     

温带次生林破碎化对白眉姬鹟繁殖的影响

于2005～2006年鸟类繁殖季节,通过悬挂人工巢箱,探讨了次生林破碎化对白眉姬鹟Ficedula zanthopygia繁殖的影响.结果 表明:次生林破碎化对白眉姬鹟繁殖产生很大的影响,斑块面积、形状指数、隔离度均在不同程度上影响着白眉姬鹟的繁殖参数,破碎化指数不同的斑块间白眉姬鹟的窝卵数、孵化率和出飞率差异均不显著(P＞0.05);卵重变异很大,差异显著(P＜0.05);卵体积变动更大,差异达到极显著水平(P＜0.01).回归分析表明,斑块破碎化指数与白眉姬鹟繁殖参数间均存在一元二次方程关系:当窝卵数达到最大值时,卵质量降低,出雏率达到最低,雏鸟存活率反而增大,出飞率达到最大,从而提高繁殖功效;当窝卵数达到最小值时,卵质量最高,出雏率增大,出飞率也相应的增高,从而使繁殖功效增大.白眉姬鹟存在一个最优窝卵数,验证了Lack的窝卵数假说.另外,白眉姬鹟通过对自身繁殖参数的调节来适应生境破碎化,尽量提高自身的繁殖功效,从而弥补自身种群.     

云南南涧凤凰山秋季夜间迁移鸟类多样性分析

2002年9月16日至11月28日、2003年4月6日至26日、2003年9月9日至11月26日，对云南南涧凤凰山秋季夜间迁移鸟类进行了研究。共网捕迁移鸟176种6 677只，分属13目29科，其中红喉姬weng、红点颏、蓝歌鸲等雀形目鸟类数量优势度十分显著，表明该地迁移鸟类以雀形目等中小型鸟类为主。对网捕迁移鸟进行多样性分析，Shannon-Weaner指数为3.89，G指数为4.13，总的F指数为25.56，表明该地迁移鸟在种、属、科等分类阶元的多样性均较丰富。2002和2003年迁移鸟类多样性t检验结果表明，年间、月份间的多样性差异明显，即凤凰山迁移鸟类动态变化明显。     

Investigations of density interactions among breeding birds in ponderosa pine forests: correlative and experimental evidence

Summary We assessed the importance of interspecific competition among insectivorous birds breeding in northcentral Arizona's ponderosa pine forests. We examined density interactions among species using two analytic approaches; correlative and experimental. The correlative approach examined patterns of change in breeding densities over four years at the community level and within two foraging guilds; picker-gleaners and aerial feeders. The relationships between morphological and behavioral similarity with pairwise density interactions were also assessed. Our experimental approach involved placement of nest boxes on two treatment plots to increase breeding densities of secondary cavity nesting birds that were in foraging guilds with open nesting insectivores.We found little evidence of interspecific competition. Patterns of density fluctuations indicated large positive covariances among species at both the community level and within guilds. Pairwise density interactions were independent of morphological or behavioral similarity. Nest boxes significantly increased breeding densities of the secondary cavity nesters. However, these increases did not induce reprocal density changes in the open nesting species. Interspecific competition for food during the breeding season appears to be unimportant in ponderosa pine bird communities.     

Selection of Nest Trees by Cavity‐nesting Birds in the Neotropical Atlantic Forest

One of the five most important global biodiversity hotspots, the Neotropical Atlantic forest supports a diverse community of birds that nest in tree cavities. Cavity‐nesting birds may be particularly sensitive to forestry and agricultural practices that remove potential nest trees; however, there have been few efforts to determine what constitutes a potential nest tree in Neotropical forests. We aimed to determine the characteristics of trees and cavities used in nesting by excavators (species that excavate their own nest cavity) and secondary cavity‐nesters (species that rely on existing cavities), and to identify the characteristics of trees most likely to contain suitable cavities in the Atlantic forest of Argentina. We used univariate analyses and conditional logistic regression models to compare characteristics of nest trees paired with unused trees found over three breeding seasons (2006–2008). Excavators selected dead or unhealthy trees. Secondary cavity‐nesters primarily selected cavities that were deep and high on the tree, using live and dead cavity‐bearing trees in proportion to their availability. Nonexcavated cavities suitable for birds occurred primarily in live trees. They were most likely to develop in large‐diameter trees, especially grapia Apuleia leiocarpa and trees in co‐dominant or suppressed crown classes. To conserve cavity‐nesting birds of the Atlantic forest, we recommend a combination of policies, economic assistance, environmental education, and technical support for forest managers and small‐scale farmers, to maintain large healthy and unhealthy trees in commercial logging operations and on farms.     

Experimental test of nest-site limitation in mature mixed forests of central British Columbia,Canada

Nest-site availability limits cavity-using populations in many harvested forests; however, little is known about the extent of nest-site limitation in mature forests with a full complement of excavator species and intact processes of cavity creation and loss. To examine the role of nest-site availability in limiting cavity-using populations in mature mixed conifer forests in central British Columbia, Canada, we conducted an 11-year before-after control-impact experiment in which we increased nest-site availability via nest box addition. Our 7 sites (3 treatments, 4 controls) had low cavity densities (<2/ha) prior to treatment and cavity occupation rates were also low (<10%/yr), which is a relationship often cited in the literature as evidence of non-limitation in cavity-nesting populations. Following nest box addition at our treatment sites, which tripled the availability of cavities, total density of bird and mammal nests more than tripled. Density of mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli) nests increased 9-fold on treatment sites and returned to pre-treatment levels following box removal, suggesting that chickadee populations were limited by cavity availability at our study sites. Density of red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) nests and roosts also increased significantly at treatment sites following box addition and declined following box removal. We noted little change in chickadee or squirrel nest density at control sites monitored concurrently. Squirrels preferred large-sized over small-sized boxes, and significantly enlarged the entrance areas of small boxes by chewing, suggesting that there may have been a shortage of suitable nest and roost sites for them in our study area. We contend that low cavity occupancy rates may not accurately reflect nest-site availability for cavity nesters in mature forests, and that cavity size may influence the true availability of cavities on the landscape. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Effects of nestboxes on the breeding biology of Southern House Wrens Troglodytes aedon bonariae in the southern temperate zone

Nestboxes are known to increase clutch size, enhance breeding success and affect the social mating system of several cavity nesters. Although in recent years various cavity nesters have been studied in nestboxes in South America, the effects of boxes on the biology of the study species are unknown. We evaluated the effects of nestboxes on the breeding biology and social mating system of Southern House Wrens Troglodytes aedon bonariae by comparing birds breeding in nestboxes and tree cavities in two cattle ranches in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Southern House Wrens nesting in boxes had higher breeding success but, contrary to studies on the temperate zone, we did not find differences in clutch size between Wrens breeding in nestboxes and tree cavities. The main causes of nest failure in tree cavities were nest predation and flooding of the cavity (70 and 23% of the failures, respectively) while in nestboxes predation and desertion were the most important causes of failure (38 and 34% of the failures, respectively). The social mating system of Southern House Wrens is monogamy with biparental care, and neither was affected by the boxes. Males did not attract secondary females to additional nestboxes; however, nestboxes are safer breeding sites than tree cavities, and females seemed to prefer males with nestboxes on their territory. These results suggest that nest quality alone might be not enough for secondary females to accept polygyny.     

Nest sites as limiting resources for cavity‐nesting birds in mature forest ecosystems: a review of the evidence

ABSTRACT Assumptions that populations of cavity‐nesting birds are limited by access to nest sites have largely been based on anecdotal reports or correlative data. Nest‐box‐addition experiments or tree‐cavity‐blocking experiments are potentially rigorous ways to investigate how densities of breeding birds are affected by access to nest cavities. Experimental evidence indicates that natural tree holes are limited in human‐altered landscapes, but the possibility that cavity nests are limited in old growth (unmanaged) forests is less clear. I reviewed 31 nest‐cavity‐removal or addition experiments conducted with 20 species of cavity‐nesting birds in mature forests. Of these 31 experiments conducted with a variety of different species of birds, only 19% reported statistically significant changes in breeding densities. However, none of these studies included data about the reproductive history of individuals colonizing the boxes (i.e., whether birds using the boxes would have otherwise been floaters or that birds excluded from blocked cavities on the plots did not simply move elsewhere), so they provided no strong evidence that the number of breeding pairs was limited by availability of nest sites at the population scale. Although some studies indicate that nest sites are limited at local (plot) scales in old growth forests, there is still little empirical evidence for nest‐site limitation at the population‐ and landscape‐level in mature, unmanaged forests. I review the challenges in designing and interpreting box‐addition experiments and highlight the main gaps in knowledge that should be targeted in the future.     

Egg concealment is an antipredatory strategy in a cavity‐nesting bird

Birds have developed different behavioural strategies to reduce the risk of predation during the breeding period. Bird species that nest in the open often cover their eggs to decrease the risk of predators detecting the clutches. However, in cavity nesters, the potential functions of egg covering have not been explored despite some bird species that nest in cavities also covering their eggs as open nesters do. We analysed whether egg covering is an antipredatory behaviour in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We simulated an increase in the perceived risk of predation at experimental nests by adding predator scent inside the nest boxes during the egg‐laying period, whilst adding lemon essence or water to control nest boxes. Birds exposed to predator chemical cues in the nest of experimental pairs more frequently covered their eggs than birds exposed to an odorous control. These results suggest that egg covering may have evolved as an antipredatory behaviour also in cavity nesters to reduce the risk of egg predation and thus increase reproductive success in birds.     

Insect outbreaks increase populations and facilitate reproduction in a cavity‐dependent songbird,the Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli

Large‐scale insect outbreaks, typical of temperate ecosystems, may increase food availability and influence species interactions in insectivorous bird communities. We assessed how population densities of a secondary cavity nester, the Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli, varied with densities of avian cavity excavators, potential competitors and nest predators, during two large‐scale insect outbreaks of Western Spruce Budworm Choristoneura occidentalis and Mountain Pine Beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae. At the regional level, Mountain Chickadee densities doubled with increases in budworm and beetle availability, then declined with decreases in beetle availability, despite high budworm supply. At the site level, densities of excavators were the best predictor of site‐level variation in Chickadee densities in the following year. During and after the beetle outbreak, Mountain Chickadees used more cavities excavated by Red‐breasted Nuthatches Sitta canadensis and Downy Woodpeckers Picoides pubescens, both of which are bark insectivores that increased in densities concomitantly with the beetle outbreak and whose foraging activities may have facilitated the Mountain Chickadees' access to bark beetles. Thus, Mountain Chickadees showed a numerical response to the food pulse at the regional level, but a functional response to the pulse of nesting cavities at the site level. Plasticity in resource selection and heterospecific attraction may allow Mountain Chickadees to respond to resource pulses in highly variable environments.     

城市化对杭州市鸟类营巢集团的影响

为了了解城市化对鸟类营巢集团的影响,2007年3月至2007年8月,沿城市化梯度在杭州地区的城区、城乡结合区、农田区、农林交错区和自然林区等类型栖息地内设置3 000 m长、100 m宽的样线各18条,共计90条;并对其鸟类物种与群落营巢集团进行调查。调查共记录到繁殖鸟类96种,根据鸟类营巢位置可将其分为林冠枝干营巢集团、灌草丛营巢集团、林冠枝干/灌草丛营巢集团、自然洞穴营巢集团、人工建筑营巢集团、自然洞穴/人工建筑营巢集团地面营巢集团、水面营巢集团和寄生集团共9种。进一步分析显示,随城市化程度提高,鸟类营巢集团的数目呈整体下降趋势,而各集团的物种数也基本呈下降趋势。但是,不同的营巢集团对城市化的反应存在差异,导致其物种组成在群落中比例的明显变化。城市化程度的提高使树冠筑巢鸟、灌丛筑巢鸟、地面筑巢鸟及自然洞穴筑巢鸟在群落中所占的比例明显下降,其中地面筑巢鸟最为敏感,灌丛筑巢鸟次之。同时,自然洞穴/人工建筑集团的鸟类在群落中的比例却随着城市化程度的提高明显上升。各营巢集团之所以对城市化做出不同反应,是因为它们对筑巢地资源利用方式不同。此外,还发现植被盖度、人工设施面积、至市中心距离以及人为干扰等因素均可对鸟类营巢集团结构产生影响,但不同类型的营巢集团对上述因素的反应各异。     

Assessing the effects of selective logging on birds in Neotropical piedmont and cloud montane forests

In tropical and subtropical forests there is limited information about how to integrate sustainable timber management with the conservation of biodiversity. We examined the effect of selective logging on the bird community to help develop management guidelines to assure the conservation of biodiversity in forests managed for timber production. The study design consisted of control and harvested plots in piedmont and cloud forests of the subtropical montane forests of the Andes in northwestern Argentina. We conducted bird point-count surveys combined with distance estimation. Breeding season bird community composition was more similar between control and logged forest in both the cloud forest and piedmont, than between the two elevations, probably because Neotropical bird communities change dramatically along elevational gradients. Within each elevation zone, community composition changed significantly between harvested and control forests. Both between and within each elevation zone no significant differences in bird density were detected. Similarly, when we analyzed bird density according to diet guilds no general pattern could be extracted. However, we found a significantly greater density of cavity nesters and lower of non-cavity nesters in control plots, probably because most trees that can develop suitable cavities were extracted in logged plots and these plots had a greater structural diversity enabling more nesting resources. Grouping species according to their nesting habitat requirements has rarely been used in the neotropics and other tropical and subtropical forests, but focusing management attention on cavity nesters might address the most sensitive portion of the avian community as well as other species dependent on trees likely to hold cavities.     

Co-occurrence patterns of cavity-nesting birds in cottonwood-willow communities

Summary We studied the covariation of six species of cavity-nesting birds to determine the extent to which species' co-occurrence patterns were attributable to interspecific relations. We tested two null hypotheses: (1) inverse relations did not exist among potential competitors for nest trees or nest cavities, and (2) there were no positive relations among potential commensals for nest cavities. Statistical power analyses, and simple, partial, and multiple partial correlation and regression analyses provided little evidence of species-species or higher-order inverse or positive relations. Most of the variation in co-occurrence patterns was associated with stand characteristics. Collectively, an abundance of nest trees and nest cavities, differences among species in acceptable nest-tree and nest-cavity dimensions, and different periods of peak nesting activity appear to be responsible for the lack of negative relations among potential competitors. Positive relations among potential commensals were weak presumably because (1) secondary cavity nesters (SCNs) frequently used cavities that originated from wind-, lightning-, and/or disease-damaged limbs and were thus not dependent completely on primary cavity nesters for cavities, and (2) the lag time for cavity use by SCNs is often two or more seasons. Interspecific relations were apparently not major determinants of community structure during our investigation; assemblages of cavity nesters appeared instead to be influenced more by independent species-specific habitat responses.