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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2021, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (12): 99-107.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20211210

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Selection of Artificial Nest Boxes in Different Habitats by Secondary Cavity-Nesting Birds

Yeqin Wang1,Lu Li1,Haiyue Yu1,Xinyuan Zhao2,Nan Zhang2,Jing An2,Changqing Ding1,*   

  1. 1. School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083
    2. Beijing Songshan National Nature Reserve Administration Beijing 102115
  • Received:2020-04-16 Online:2021-12-25 Published:2022-01-26
  • Contact: Changqing Ding

Abstract:

Objective: Based on the survey of utilization of artificial nest boxes in different habitats in Beijing Songshan National Nature Reserve by secondary cavity-nesting birds, the attraction effect of various bird species and selection preference of ecological factors were analyzed, and the habitat requirements of secondary cavity-nesting birds during breeding were revealed, so as to provide reference for selecting sites to hang the artificial nest boxes. Method: The 10 m×10 m experimental plots were set up respectively around occupied nest boxes and non-occupied nest boxes, and in the plots, sixteen ecological factors, such as slope aspect and number of trees were recorded. Kruskal-Wallis H was used to test the selection differences of ecological factors between nest-boxes of different species. The generalized linear model (GLM) was used to choose the best model of artificial nest box selection for secondary cavity-nesting birds in different habitats. Result: In 2017 and 2019, six species of birds were attracted by artificial nest boxes in Beijing Songshan National Nature Reserve, including cinereous tit (Parus cinereus), willow tit (Poecile montanus), daurian redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus), Chinese nuthatch (Sitta villosa), Eurasian nuthatch (S. europaea) and yellow-rumped flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia). The success rate of attraction was 52.9% and its number of being used by cinereous tits was the largest (n=81). The cinereous tits, willow tits and daurian redstarts had significantly different preference of height of nest boxes set out (P=0.009) and average tree height (P=0.017). The hanging height of nest boxes used by daurian redstarts was the lowest and was significantly lower than that used by cinereous tits (P=0.015) and willow tits (P=0.024). The average tree height in the plots where the nest boxes were used by cinereous tits was the lowest and significantly lower than that of willow tits (P=0.013). The best model showed that the probability of nest boxes being used by cinereous tits was positively correlated to the number of trees (P=0.003), and negatively correlated to the DBH of trees (P=0.016) and the number of dead trees (P=0.007). The probability of nest boxes being used by willow tits was positively correlated to the average tree height (P < 0.001), and negatively correlated to the DBH of trees (P < 0.001). The probability of nest boxes being used by daurian redstarts was negatively correlated to the height of nest boxes set out (P=0.024), the DBH of nest boxes fixed trees (P < 0.001), the number of dead trees (P=0.009) and understory canopy density at 3 m from the ground (P=0.013). Conclusion: Artificial nest boxes have the best attraction effect on cinereous tits. Cinereous tits and willow tits prefer more vegetation coverage to hide while daurian redstarts prefer more vegetation coverage and illumination during breeding period. We suggest to set out artificial nest boxes in the dense forest with tall trees, and make the nest entrance toward sun to have more solar radiation. The distance between nest boxes can be set to 50 m apart in order to improve utilization rate.

Key words: artificial nest box, secondary cavity-nesting birds, breeding habitat selection, general linear model(GLM)

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