top of page

Cavity-Nesting Songbirds

Many insect-eating songbird populations are showing a decline throughout North America, and in most cases, this is directly related to changes in land-use or agricultural practices. Some of these species, like the Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), face multiple threats: increased competition, loss of nest sites through tree removal, reduced productivity due to use of herbicides and pesticides, or accumulation of contaminants from reclamation wetlands.

 

The Genesee landscape offers us the possibility to investigate habitat preference of cavity nesting songbirds, to monitor their productivity and breeding success, and to assess which habitat types or combinations of habitat types are suitable for placement of nest boxes as a conservation tool to augment populations. At the same time, establishing and monitoring a network of nest boxes will allow us to involve local community members, nature enthusiasts, or young professionals in field activities related to bird research and conservation.

Objectives

​

  • Assess habitat preference using nest boxes placed in various habitat types.

  • Document box occupancy, monitor productivity and breeding performance

  • Investigate nest site fidelity and recruitment

  • Build and maintain a long-term database

  • Collaborate with organizations and institutions to improve understanding of these species’ biology and ecology

  • Inform land managers, other stakeholders, and the public about the project

Nest Box Study

 

We build nest boxes that are suitable for cavity nesting songbirds such as Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), House wrens (Troglodytes aedon), or Mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides). Nest boxes are placed in five different habitat types: near forest edge, near croplands, near natural pastures or hayfields, near reclaimed sites, near wetlands, and near industrial sites/active haul roads. We survey the existing vegetation, and we try to choose locations with no natural cavities within 100 meters. First, we place a row/cluster made up of 10 boxes, with each box at least 50 meters from each other to minimize competition. Then, starting in early May, we monitor the boxes every seven to ten days to detect use/occupancy and determine the timing of nest building and clutch laying. Observations are preferably carried out in the early morning when birds are most active. In the nest building phase, boxes are monitored from a distance with the aid of a spotting scope to avoid disturbance until the clutch is completed.

​

We check the boxes again seven to ten days after the predicted hatching date, to estimate hatching success. We try to capture and band adult birds at the box two to three days after the hatch date, and the nestlings are banded 10 - 12 days after hatching. After banding, the box will be visited again seven to ten days later to confirm fledging success. Banding helps track movements, migration, longevity, and recruitment. After the breeding season ends, we clean all boxes and repair or replace damaged boxes to maintain a constant number of available nesting sites throughout the study period.

bottom of page