Utilization of artificial nesting substrate by doves and robins

Published source details Calhoun J.B. (1948) Utilization of artificial nesting substrate by doves and robins. Journal of Wildlife Management, 12, 136-142.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds Action Link
	Provide artificial nesting sites for pigeons Action Link
	Use differently-coloured artificial nests Action Link

Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

A replicated study in 1945-6 in garden habitats in Ohio, USA (Calhoun 1948), found that American robins Turdus migratorius nesting in artificial nests had lower success rates than those natural nests (33% success for 24 nesting attempts in artificial nests vs. 50% of 48 in natural nests). Fourteen pairs of robins used the nests, but only seven successfully raised chicks. Nests consisted of cones of black or green roofing paper 17.8 cm at the widest and 5.1 cm deep. This study also examines nest use by mourning doves Zenaida macroura (formerly Zenaidura macroura), and the effect of different coloured nests in ‘Use differently-coloured artificial nests’.
Provide artificial nesting sites for pigeons

A replicated study in 1945-6 in garden habitats in Ohio, USA (Calhoun 1948), found that 63% of 31 mourning dove Zenaida macroura (formerly Zenaidura macroura) nesting attempts in artificial nests were successful. It was not possible to compare this success with natural nests, because the author was not confident they had found all unsuccessful natural nests. Nests consisted of cones of black or green roofing paper 17.8 cm at the widest and 5.1 cm deep. This study also examines nest use by American robins Turdus migratorius, and the effect of different coloured nests in ‘Use differently-coloured artificial nests’.
Use differently-coloured artificial nests

A replicated study in 1945-6 in garden habitats in Ohio, USA (Calhoun 1948), found that American robins Turdus migratorius made more nesting attempts in 62 green nests (16) than 59 black nests (eight), but there were an equal number of successes (four successful attempts in each: 25% success in green nests vs. 50% success in black). Mourning doves Zenaida macroura (formerly Zenaidura macroura) made 18 nesting attempts in 59 black nests compared to nine in 62 green nests, but there were four successful attempts in each colour (i.e. 22% success for black nests and 44% for green). The use of the nests (cones of black or green roofing paper 17.8 cm at the widest and 5.1 cm deep) by both species is discussed further in ‘Provide artificial nest sites’.