Timing of songbird nest predation as revealed by video surveillance

The use of video to monitor nests has increased in frequency over the past 25 years and new research using this technology has shed light on many aspects of the interactions between predators and nesting birds. We used video cameras to describe the timing of nest predation events for Acadian Flycatchers (Empidonax virescens), Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), and other forest-dwelling songbird species. Seventy-four percent (111 of 151) of nest predation events occurred during diurnal hours for both focal species. Although some of our observations were unexpected (e.g., Barred Owls [Strix varia] were primarily diurnal nest predators), many of the predator-specific temporal patterns we observed were consistent with prior knowledge. Understanding diel patterns of nest predation in conjunction with identification of the suite of predators that contribute to overall predation rates will improve our understanding of how birds recognize and respond to the risk of nest predation across ecological and evolutionary time scales. Received 27 February 2015. Accepted 25 July 2015. Key words: nest predation, nest predator ecology, nest visitation, songbird ecology, video surveillance.
Predation is the primary source of nest failure for many species of songbirds (Ricklefs 1969, Martin 1992) and has received much attention from ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Until recently, however, [...]