Study

Effects of nestboxes on the breeding biology of southern house wrens Troglodytes aedon bonariae in the southern temperate zone

  • Published source details Llambias P.E. & Fernandez G.J. (2009) Effects of nestboxes on the breeding biology of southern house wrens Troglodytes aedon bonariae in the southern temperate zone. Ibis, 151, 113-121.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

    A small replicated, controlled study from October-January in 2003-6 in two cattle ranches with predominantly Celtis tala woodlots in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (Llambias & Fernandez 2009) found the southern house wrens Troglodytes aedon bonariae had higher reproductive rates in four nest box sites than in five natural cavity sites (72% of nest box nests produced at least one fledgling vs. 41%  of natural cavities). The overall probability that at least one chick would fledge from nests was 66% in nest boxes and 25% in cavities. Nest box breeding pairs produced more nestlings in each attempt (3 nestlings/nest for nest boxes vs. 1 for natural cavities). The main cause of nest failure was predation. There was no difference between clutch size, brood size, or fledglings produced. The social mating system was unaffected by nest boxes. Nestboxes were wood (30.5 × 16.5 × 12.7 cm) with an entrance-hole 38 mm in diameter.

     

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