Reduce competition between species by providing nest boxes

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

0%
Certainty

16%
Harms

0%

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Background information and definitions

If several species are competing for nest sites then it might be possible to reduce this competition by providing a surplus of nesting sites. The more general effects of nest box provision are discussed in ‘General responses to small/declining populations’.

Study locations

Key messages

A replicated, controlled study from the USA found that providing extra nest boxes did not reduce the rate at which common starlings Sturnus vulgaris usurped northern flickers Colaptes auratus from nests.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated, controlled study from March-July in 1994-1996 in 40 experimental and 14 control sites of northern flicker Colaptes auratus nest cavity and nest box pairs in Ohio, USA (Ingold 1998) found that the provision of nest boxes do not deter common starlings Sturnus vulgaris from usurping flicker nest cavities. Overall, 68% of experimental flicker sites lost a total of 42 cavity-nests to starlings in spite of the presence of a nearby flicker nest box, and nine of these pairs lost two or more cavities to starlings. Flicker pairs with starlings fledged significantly less young than pairs without starlings (20% compared to 36% respectively). Flicker pairs without starlings produced significantly larger clutches than pairs with starlings (7.4 compared to 5.4 eggs / nest). Only one flicker pair nested in a nest box rather than a nest cavity. Nest boxes were installed within 0.5-2.0 m of all flicker cavities. Starlings were present in experimental but not control sites.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Ingold D.J. (1998) The influence of starlings on flicker reproduction when both naturally excavated cavities and artificial nest boxes are available. The Wilson Bulletin, 110, 218-225.

Please cite as:

Williams, D.R., Child, M.F., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Pople, R.G., Showler, D.A., Walsh, J.C., zu Ermgassen, E.K.H.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Bird Conservation. Pages 137-281 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bird Conservation

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Reduce inter-specific competition for food by removing or controlling competitor species Action Link	Likely to be beneficial	4	Synopsis Link
Reduce competition between species by providing nest boxes Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	1	Synopsis Link
Reduce inter-specific competition for nest sites of ground nesting seabirds by removing competitor species Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	7	Synopsis Link