Effects of the risk of competition and predation on large secondary cavity breeders

Published source details Charter M., Izhaki I. & Leshem Y. (2010) Effects of the risk of competition and predation on large secondary cavity breeders. Journal of Ornithology, 151, 791-795.
Share Tweet Email

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide artificial nesting sites for owls Action Link
	Provide artificial nesting sites for falcons Action Link

Provide artificial nesting sites for owls

A replicated study in eucalyptus stands in farmland in Lower Galilee, Israel (Charter et al. 2010), in 2008-9, found that barn owls Tyto alba nested in 67% of 51 nest boxes with large (15 x 30 cm) entrance holes, but none of 49 nest boxes with small (7.5 cm diameter) entrances. In contrast, common scops owls Otus scops only nested in boxes with small entrances, using approximately 10% of 49 small entrance boxes, but no large entrance ones, possibly due to competition with the larger barn owls. Boxes were attached to shaded parts of eucalyptus trees and the positions of large and small-entranced boxes were exchanged between years. This study also investigates nest box use by kestrels and songbirds.
Provide artificial nesting sites for falcons

A replicated study in eucalyptus stands in farmland in Lower Galilee, Israel (Charter et al. 2010), in 2008-9, found that Eurasian kestrels Falco tinnunculus nested more frequently in nest boxes with large entrance holes than in boxes with small holes (17% of 51 large-entrance nest boxes occupied vs. approximately 8% of 49 small-entrance boxes). Breeding success of kestrels did not vary between nest box types although 22% of kestrels in boxes with large holes abandoned them because of barn owl Tyto alba interference. There was no such interference in small nest boxes. Nest boxes were 50 x 75 x 50 cm with either 15 x 30 cm (large) or 7.5 cm diameter (small) entrances. In 2008, 27 large and 25 small boxes were erected, with 24 of each in 2009. The positions of large and small boxes were exchanged between years. This study also discusses nest box use by owls and songbirds.