Golden-cheeked warbler nest success and nest predators in urban and rural landscapes

Abstract

We studied nesting success of Golden-cheeked Warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia) from 2005-2006 in urban and rural landscapes in central Texas. We used an information-theoretic approach to evaluate models representing hypotheses about effects of temporal, nest-site, nest-patch, edge, landscape, and urban factors on nest success. We found the most support for the model with temporal and edge effects and little support for other effects. The 25-day period nest survival was 0.374. We monitored 61 nests with cameras to identify urban nest predators. The period predation rate was 0.541. Eight nests were depredated by Texas rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri), four by Western Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma californica) and two by Cooper's Hawks (Accipter cooperii), three by fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), and one by fire ants (Solenopsis sp.). We recorded three predations on adult females by snakes. The predation rate and predator composition were similar between the two landscapes.