Does nest concealment in Wood Thrushes predict predation risk and female stress levels?

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dc.contributor.advisorStutchbury, Bridget J.
dc.contributor.authorIsrael, Alexandra May Alice Helen
dc.date.accessioned2021-07-06T12:54:13Z
dc.date.available2021-07-06T12:54:13Z
dc.date.copyright2021-04
dc.date.issued2021-07-06
dc.date.updated2021-07-06T12:54:13Z
dc.degree.disciplineBiology
dc.degree.levelMaster's
dc.degree.nameMSc - Master of Science
dc.description.abstractThe Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) is a long-distance migrant that has declined severely in the last 50 years and is currently listed as a Species at Risk in Canada. This study investigated whether nest concealment from nest predators and brood-parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds had an influence on the success of Wood Thrush nests. Through visual estimates of concealment in 186 nests over 3 years, results show that Wood Thrushes experience high nest predation (53.2%) and moderate cowbird parasitism (25.3%) in southwestern Ontario. However, nest concealment does not predict probability of having a successful nest or evading parasitism. We also tested if nest concealment impacts an incubating females flight initiation distance (FID) or corticosterone level (a measure of stress). Although we found no correlation between these variables, this is the first step in understanding if nest site selection affects the female directly, and not just her immediate nesting success.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10315/38497
dc.languageen
dc.rightsAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.
dc.subjectBiology
dc.subject.keywordsWood Thrush
dc.subject.keywordsconcealment
dc.subject.keywordsnest concealment
dc.subject.keywordsnest success
dc.subject.keywordsnest predation
dc.subject.keywordsBrown-headed cowbirds
dc.subject.keywordsbrood parasitism
dc.subject.keywordscorticosterone
dc.subject.keywordsstress
dc.subject.keywordsFID
dc.subject.keywordsanimal behaviour
dc.subject.keywordsnesting behaviour
dc.titleDoes nest concealment in Wood Thrushes predict predation risk and female stress levels?
dc.typeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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