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Presenters
Brittany Bailey, Senior
Kaitlin Zeigler, Senior Advisor: Megan Heberle Scientific Research Specialty Program, Islands High School, Savannah, GA |
Abstract
Nest-box Visibility Impacts Reproductive Success in Songbirds
The visibility of a nest is a crucial factor in the number of eggs per nest and the survivability of songbirds. The visibility of a nest-box can influence whether birds select that location for their reproductive event. Greater visibility can lead to increased predation and exposure to inclement weather. In this study, we observed Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) in Savannah, Georgia. The percent visibility was determined by standing five meters away from each nest-box in the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). The mean of those percentages, the number of eggs per nest, and the number fledged per nest were used for statistical analyses. Significant differences were observed between the visibility of nest-boxes that were unsuccessful compared to nest-boxes that were successful (two-sample t-Test, p=0.04233). It is important to understand beneficial nest-box placement in order to maximize reproductive success in local songbirds that may be impacted by habitat loss.
Example of pictures taken during data collection
Slide Presentation |
