Factors associated with nest survival of Black-throated Sparrows, desert-breeding nest-site generalists

Black-throated Sparrows (Amphispiza bilineata) are common breeding birds throughout the desert regions of North America and can be considered nest-site generalists. Information about how spatial (e.g., vegetation) and temporal factors influence nest survival of these sparrows is lacking throughout t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of field ornithology 2017-09, Vol.88 (3), p.274-287
Main Authors: Kozma, Jeffrey M., Burkett, Laura M., Kroll, Andrew J., Thornton, Jamie, Mathews, Nancy E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ambient temperature
Amphispiza bilineata
Avian Behavior and Ecology
Bayesian analysis
Bayesian framework
Birds
Breeding
Breeding seasons
Chihuahuan Desert
Deserts
Egg laying
Frameworks
Habitat selection
Incubation
Incubation period
Interspecific relationships
logistic‐exposure model
Nesting
Nests
New Mexico
Predation
Predators
Probability theory
Site selection
Survival
temporal factors
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Summary:Black-throated Sparrows (Amphispiza bilineata) are common breeding birds throughout the desert regions of North America and can be considered nest-site generalists. Information about how spatial (e.g., vegetation) and temporal factors influence nest survival of these sparrows is lacking throughout their range. Our objective was to examine the spatial and temporal factors associated with nest survival of Blackthroated Sparrows at the nest and nest-patch scales in the predator-rich environment of the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. We used a logistic-exposure model fit within a Bayesian framework to model the daily survival probability of Black-throated Sparrow nests. Prédation was the leading cause of nest failure, accounting for 86% of failed nests. We found evidence of negative associations between nest survival and both vegetative cover above nests and shrub density within 5 m of nests. We found no support for other habitat covariates, but did find strong evidence that daily survival rate was higher earlier in the breeding season and during the egg-laying stage. A decline in nest survival later in the breeding period may be due to increased predator activity due to warmer ambient temperatures, whereas lower survival during the incubation and nestling stages could be a result of increased activity at nests. A generalist approach to nest-site selection may be an adaptive response to the presence of a diverse assemblage of nest predators that results in the reduced influence of spatial factors on nest survival for Black-throated Sparrows. Los Zacatoneros Garganta Negra (Amphispiza bilineata) son aves que crían comúnmente a lo largo de regiones desérticas de Norte América y que pueden ser considerados generalistas de sitio de nidada. Se carece de informatión de cómo factores espaciales (e. g. vegetación) y temporales influencian la supervivencia de nido en estos gorriones a lo largo de su rango de distributión. Nuestro objetivo fue examinar los factores espaciales y temporales asociados a la supervivencia de nido de los Zacatoneros Garganta Negra a escala del nido y del parche de nidada en un ambiente rico en depredadores del norte del desierto de Chihuahua en Nuevo México. Usamos un modelo de expositión logística en un contexto Bayesiano a fin de modelar la probabilidad de supervivencia diaria de los nidos del Zacatonero Garganta Negra. La depredatión fue la principal causa de fracaso en nidos, explicando el 86% de los nidos que fracasaron. Encont
ISSN:0273-8570
1557-9263
DOI:10.1111/jofo.12209