First Advisor

Stanley S. Hillman

Date of Publication

1983

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology

Department

Biology

Language

English

Subjects

Western bluebird, Birds -- Breeding, Birds -- Nests, Birds -- Oregon -- Willamette River Valley

DOI

10.15760/etd.5281

Physical Description

1 online resource (116 p.)

Abstract

The lack of suitable nest sites may be a limiting factor for Western Bluebird populations inhabiting the upper Willamette Valley. Nest box trails have been established on the hills surrounding the Portland metropolitan area. Since their placement, approximately 25% of the boxes available have been used by Western Bluebirds as nest cavities. This study was undertaken to identify factors which might determine the selection of a nest box by Western Bluebirds and the subsequent nest success or failure.

The breeding biology of Western Bluebirds using the nest box trail located on Parrett Mountain, Oregon in 1979 was investigated. Breeding season, mean clutch size, average incubation and nestling periods, and level of nest success were determined.

Nest box dimensions, placement, and surrounding habitat features were quantified. Potentially important nest site characteristics were examined and tested for association with Western Bluebird nest box use and reproductive success. Western Bluebird nest box selection was random with regard to all of the characteristics studied except Solar Index and Nest Box Density. No correlation was seen between nest box characteristics and bluebird nest success.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

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Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/19259

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