Abstract Bird nests, in particular those located in areas of low density vegetation have a higher degree of predation than those located in areas of high density vegetation. Such nests in these locations are preyed upon by many species. In the following experiment bird’s eggs made of white plasticine to emulate that of a real bird egg were placed in bird nests made of tennis balls that had been cut in half which were then covered with coconut fibers that was glued to them, two of these artificial eggs were then placed in each nest- a total of two nests were created. One of the two bird nests was placed in an area of low density vegetation and the other was placed in an area of high density vegetation to test the hypothesis that there is a …show more content…
Nests located in these areas of high density, often attract little to no predators as the nest becomes harder to see and hence the likelihood of predation is decreased. If predators are present in these areas, they are often small in size and take a relatively long time to predate the nest. However, nests located in areas of low density, almost certainty attract predators as they are more visible and easier to access thus decreasing the time taken until predation and also the size of the predators will increase. Hence concluding those nests locatedin areas of high density vegeatation will have a better survivial rate and hence reproduction will be more …show more content…
Angelstam (1986) discovered throughout his studies that species of bird were the most common predators of nests, while Major (1996) found the currawong to be a threat to both nests and smaller birds throughout Australian Urban environments due to their pied coloration. Nest predation in fragmented forest has been found to affect nests that are built above the ground more than nests that are built on the ground (Yahner & Scott, 1988). Nests that can be detected from a distance have also been found to be more preyed upon than those that cannot be (Angelstam, 1986), hence suggesting that nests located in low density vegetation areas are more at risk at predation than nests in high density vegetation. In this study, nest predation in low density vegetation and also in high density vegetated areas was examined and the predators of the bird nests were identified. It is hence hypothesized that there is a difference in predation rate in low dense and high dense vegetated areas and that birds are the major predators in both low and high vegetated areas.
The theme of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird is the existence of racism and prejudice in the 1930 – 40's. Harper Lee succeeds in presenting the topic in a manner that is not overly simplistic and thus achieves the task of allowing the reader to fully appreciate the complex nature of unjust discrimination. Harper Lee's inclusion of characters such as Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, Dolphus Raymond and many others, aid the reader to grasp the concept of racism and its central role in the town of Maycomb.
“I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after the birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mocking bird.” Atticus Finch recites these lines to his two children, Jem and Scout after he gives them air-rifles for Christmas. Scout is curious, as this is the first time that she has ever heard her father refer to anything as a sin, Scout asks Miss Maude what Atticus meant by this. Miss Maude tells Scout that mocking birds don’t rip up people’s garden’s or annoy them in any way, all they do is play beautiful music for us to listen to.
I have chosen to do research on the Northern Spotted Owl for my keystone lab. Many factors can influence the life of this species. The Northern Spotted Owl is said to be located in the Old Growth Forests of Northern California, Oregon, Washington and some small areas in British Columbia, and Canada. The northern spotted owl has inhabited these areas for hundreds of years, yet was only found as a species in the early 1900’s. We are all aware the Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a keystone species, but it is also known as an indicator species of Old Growth Forests. Thanks to the constant need for lumber from timber companies, the Northern Spotted Owl has been steadily moving towards an eventual extinction. ("Northern Spotted Owl.")
Many people believe that ostriches bury their heads in the sand in the belief that if they can’t see a predator, it cannot see them and that lemmings often commit mass suicide to avoid overpopulation. These examples show confirmation bias, anchoring, and the halo effect. Neither “fact” is true. According to National Geographic, Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. If a predator threatens its nest, an ostrich will flop to the ground and remain still, laying its head against the sand to try to blend in with it. With only its body visible, from a distance, it looks like the ostrich has buried its head in the sand.
Taborsky, Skubic, and Bruinties conducted a qualitative experiment on the effects of female N. pulcher egg size and clutch volume to the amount of helpers present (2007). In a given period, N. pulcher females reproduce around 100-300 eggs at a single time. Neolamprologus pulcher, which aid in protecting N. pulcher offspring’s, defend on average 36 offspring’s and in return are given an area to live for security. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate how fertile N. pulcher females react to intraspecific competition, the changes of egg size in the presence of increased Neolamprologus pulcher as well as how the young adapt to the environment they are raised in.
The flocks split in the later part of winter, so the pair is left with the responsibility of defending their nesting territory. The nest sites are usually holes in trees, hollow parts in rotten stumps, or abandoned nests of other birds. Both the male and female work until the hole or nest suitable for living. The male bird has the job of making sure the female is well fed during the spring while the female takes care of the nest which consists of usually 1 to 7 eggs per season. Unlike many other species of birds, both the male and the female play an equal part in taking care of the nest and their
The red-cockaded woodpeckers feed off of insects such as beetles, roaches, ants, and spiders found in or around pine trees, the woodpecker makes its nest in an open cavity of the Longleaf Pine which is the dominant type of pine tree in my area. These birds are territorial and non-migrating, they live in groups so if there is one nest, there are sure to be others close by. The main predator of the red-cockaded woodpecker is the rat snake; they can easily slither their way up the tree
Varricchio, David J., Frankie Jackson, and Clive N. Trueman. “A Nesting Trace with Eggs for
Other factors that influence the distribution of species and interspecific competition are weather, predation, intraspecific competition, disturbances and the characteristics of the competing species themselves (Connell 1983). The aim of this study was to see how the characteristics of competing species affect the outcomes of competitive interaction. What happens when values for initial abundance and alpha values are increased?
Red-tailed black-cockatoos usually form a lifelong bond with their mating partner (Del Hoyo et al., 1997). They typically nest in large hollows of eucalyptus trees where they rear their young, generally one egg per clutch. Parental care is shared between the two mates; however, the female does most of the incubating and the male does most of the feeding (Higgins, 1997).
... of nesting beaches that produce a large proportion of males to try to maintain the sex ratio; planting native vegetation to provide shade to the beaches; move nests to other suitable areas or artificial nesting sites; and manipulate the temperature by adding beach sprinklers (Fuentes et al., 2011). The implications of all these strategies however would need to be extensively considered as for example, planting vegetation or creating artificial beaches could have detrimental effects on the existing flora and fauna. Additionally, areas that are suitable now, may not be suitable in years to come therefore many different obstacles need to be considered before implementing these strategies. Also creating shade may not be suitable as it is unknown whether it will create the correct temperature, and lots of tests would need to be done to keep temperature at the optimum.
An important feature of green roofs is their potential to provide habitation for urban wildlife, therefore many animal species such as rats and ants would benefit from green roofs. Coffman and Waites, (2008) explains that the urban development practices recognised as roof greening offers habitat for wild species within the towns and it also helps rise the home-grown natural diversity. However, roof greening is not a method restoration ecology, but it is method of reconciliation ecology, where entirely new habitation is formed for non-human species. In addition Green roofs certainly delivers some form of habitat, it is also possible that the properties of the roof could harm the wildlife diversity.
Bluebirds are extremely picky when it comes to deciding where they choose the location of their nesting area and the type of nest to live in. At first, this seems to be a very odd trait, but it turns out to be a thoughtful and helpful one. Bluebirds like their nests facing a certain direction for a variety of complicated and interconnected reasons. They will pick the cardinal direction of the opening of their nest depending on the area and the surrounding environment. This unique decision making process involves the direction of the blue bird’s house, the landscape surrounding the bird house, and the food and resources available around the blue bird‘s possible habitat.
The way they raise their young is that by females by nursing the young and collecting grass for their nest. The males play there part by defending their territory and young. The young spends six weeks in the burrow.After six week they go out of the burrow.
A Mottled Owl and a Screech Owl and some snakes were on display at World Bird Sanctuary’s visitors center which was the first stop on my tour. In the visitors center I was fascinated by the educational displays which included a touch table replica eggs and a skull display. It amazes me to see the differences in size, shape, and color of the different eggs from the, chicken egg size, brown, mottled peregrine falcon eggs to the large Andean Condor eggs whi...