A quantitative approach to identifying predators from nest remains
Journal of Field Ornithology
By: R. Michael Anthony, J.B. Grand, T.F. Fondell, and B.F. Manly
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Abstract
Nesting success of Dusky Canada Geese (Branta canadensis occidentalis) has declined greatly since a major earthquake affected southern Alaska in 1964. To identify nest predators, we collected predation data at goose nests and photographs of predators at natural nests containing artificial eggs in 1997-2000. To document feeding behavior by nest predators, we compiled the evidence from destroyed nests with known predators on our
study site and from previous studies. We constructed a profile for each predator group and compared the evidence from 895 nests with unknown predators to our predator profiles using mixture-model analysis. This analysis indicated that 72% of destroyed nests were depredated by Bald Eagles and 13% by brown bears, and also yielded
the probability that each nest was correctly assigned to a predator group based on model fit. Model testing using simulations indicated that the proportion estimated for eagle predation was unbiased and the proportion for bear predation was slightly overestimated. This approach may have application whenever there are adequate data on nests destroyed by known predators and predators exhibit different feeding behavior at nests.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | A quantitative approach to identifying predators from nest remains |
| Series title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| DOI | 10.1648/0273-8570-75.1.40 |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Biological Science Center |
| Description | pp. 40-48 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| First page | 40 |
| Last page | 48 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |