Premium
Control of invasive predators improves breeding success of an endangered alpine passerine
Author(s) -
Weston Kerry A.,
O'Donnell Colin F. J.,
van damBates Paul,
Monks Joanne M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/ibi.12617
Subject(s) - predation , passerine , endangered species , nest (protein structural motif) , fledge , biology , predator , ecology , hatching , zoology , habitat , biochemistry
Birds living in alpine environments are becoming increasingly impacted by human‐induced threats. We investigated the impacts of introduced mammalian predators on an endangered alpine species, the New Zealand Rockwren Xenicus gilviventris , and assessed whether predator control improved its breeding success. Nest monitoring revealed that the primary cause of nest failure was predation by invasive mammals, primarily Stoats Mustela erminea and House Mice Mus musculus . Daily survival rates ( DSR ) decreased with nest age, and nests were at their most vulnerable to predators just prior to fledging. DSR , egg‐hatching and fledgling rates were all improved by predator trapping, demonstrating the significant impacts that even low numbers of invasive predators can have on sensitive alpine and upland species.