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Influence of nest‐site and individual quality on breeding performance in Merlins Falco columbarius
Author(s) -
Espie Richard H. M.,
James P. C.,
Oliphant L. W.,
Warkentin I. G.,
Lieske D. J.
Publication year - 2004
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/j.1474-919x.2004.00294.x
Subject(s) - nest (protein structural motif) , seasonal breeder , biology , ecology , nest box , reproductive success , zoology , demography , population , biochemistry , sociology
We examined the effects of nest‐site quality and bird quality on breeding performance in male and female Merlins Falco columbarius from a long‐term study in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In addition, we tested whether nest‐site quality was associated with survival, as well as lifetime reproductive success (LRS). For females, nest‐site quality had little influence on any of the measures of breeding performance or survival. Even so, when females switched nest‐sites, they tended to move to better ones. Hatch date was repeatable for the same females occupying different nest‐sites but not for the same sites occupied by different females. Among males, birds surviving past each age category tended to occupy nest‐sites of higher quality, and LRS was positively correlated with nest‐site quality. The relationship between nest‐site quality and LRS was heavily influenced by the poorest nest‐sites. When males switched nest‐sites, they too tended to move to ones of higher quality. In addition, chick hatch date was repeatable neither for the same males occupying different sites nor for the same sites occupied by different males. As with most other raptors, male Merlins provide most of the food for the pair and their young during the breeding season, and differences in nest‐site quality may have affected the effort needed by males to secure food. Female Merlins, however, appear still to have considerable control over the timing of breeding.