Published In
Auk
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2013
Subjects
Urban parks -- United States, Passerines, Avian biology
Abstract
Substantial offspring mortality can occur during the postfledging period of birds, but few postfledging survival studies have been conducted within the context of habitat suitability. We conducted a 2-year radiotelemetry study of Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) reproductive success and fledgling survival in a 24-ha forested park in a residential area of Lake Oswego, Oregon. In corroboration of previous research on this species, we found (1) that Spotted Towhees nested closer to the edge between the park and residential neighborhoods than expected by chance, and (2) that pairs nesting near edges produced the largest and most offspring. However, fates were reversed during the postfledging period. Thirty-six of 52 fledglings survived the 27-day tracking period, and although fledglings were more likely to be found near edges than in the interior, fledglings near edges had a far higher probability of dying. All deaths were from predation, and at least 11 of 16 predation events were attributable to Domestic Cats (Felis catus) and Western Screech-Owls (Megascops kennicottii). A stochastic model that incorporated probability of nest success, nestling production from successful nests, and fledgling survival showed that the number of independent offspring produced per nest was greatest in the park interior. Heavy use of, and apparent preference for, edge by nesting Spotted Towhees, coupled with high fledgling mortality near edges, created a severe ecological trap that was not apparent until the final stage of parental care. Hence, failure to document offspring survival in the late stages of reproduction may lead to incorrect assessment of habitat suitability and poor management decisions.
DOI
10.1525/auk.2013.12139
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12617
Citation Details
Shipley, A. A., Murphy, M. T., & Elzinga, A. H. (2013). Residential edges as ecological traps: postfledging survival of a ground-nesting passerine in a forested urban park. The Auk, 130(3), 501-511.
Description
Published as Shipley, Amy A., Michael T. Murphy, and Adam H. Elzinga. "Residential edges as ecological traps: postfledging survival of a ground-nesting passerine in a forested urban park." The Auk 130.3 (2013): 501-511. © [2013] by [the Regents of the University of California/Sponsoring Society or Association]. Copying and permissions notice: Authorization to copy this content beyond fair use (as specified in Sections 107 and 108 of the U. S. Copyright Law) for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by [the Regents of the University of California/on behalf of the Sponsoring Society] for libraries and other users, provided that they are registered with and pay the specified fee via Rightslink® on [JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/r/ucal)] or directly with the Copyright Clearance Center, http://www.copyright.com.