Document Type
Article
Publication Title
American Naturalist
Publication Date
12-2006
Volume
186
Disciplines
Life Sciences
Abstract
The ability of nest predation to influence habitat settlement decisions in birds is widely debated, despite its importance in limiting fitness. Here, we experimentally manipulated nest predation risk across a landscape and asked the question, do migratory birds assess and respond to variation in nest predation risk when choosing breeding habitats? We examined habitat preference by quantifying the density and settlement date of eight species of migratory passerines breeding in areas with and without intact nest predator communities. We found consistently more individuals nesting in areas with reduced nest predation than in areas with intact predator assemblages, although predation risk had no influence on settlement or breeding phenology. Additionally, those individuals occupying safer nesting habitats exhibited increased singing activity. These findings support a causal relationship between habitat choice and nest predation risk and suggest the importance of nest predation risk in shaping avian community structure and breeding activity.
DOI
10.1086/508297
Recommended Citation
Fontaine, Joseph J. and Martin, Thomas E., "Habitat Selection Responses of Parents to Offspring Predation Risk: An Experimental Test" (2006). Wildlife Biology Faculty Publications. 30.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/wildbio_pubs/30