Predation on the Eggs and Nestlings of Florida Scrub-Jays
Schaub R, Mumme RL, Woolfenden GE. 1992. Predation on the Eggs and Nestlings of Florida Scrub-Jays. The Auk. 109(3):585-593
We investigated nest predation in a population of Florida Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma c. coerulescens) at Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida. Frequency of nest visits by investigators did not influence predation rates. Nest predation increased as the breeding season progressed and occurred most often during daylight hours. When seasonal effects were held constant, nestlings were depredated more often than eggs, and young nestlings were depredated more often than old nestlings. Several lines of evidence indicated that, for Florida Scrub Jays, diurnal snakes and birds were the most important nest predators, while nocturnal mammals were relatively less important. Late in the breeding season, pairs with helpers experienced less nest predation than pairs without helpers. This effect was primarily the result of reduced predation on nestlings. Received 17 June 1991, accepted 13 January 1992.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Schaub, Ron; Mumme, R; Woolfenden, G
- Units
- CANA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Birds (Aves), Florida scrub jay ( Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens)