Response to nestling throat ligatures by three songbirds
Wilson Journal of Ornithology
By: G.L. Robinson, C.J. Conway, C. Kirkpatrick, and D.D. Laroche
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Abstract
We attempted to collect diet samples using throat ligatures from nestlings of three songbird species in a riparian woodland in southeastern Arizona from May to August 2009. We had success with Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), observed adult Yellow-breasted Chats (Icteria virens) reclaim food from nestlings, and discontinued the use of throat ligatures when we observed an adult Abert's Towhee (Pipilo aberti) remove two, 34-day-old ligatured nestlings from its nest. Previous studies have reported problems (e.g., aggression toward nestlings by adults) with throat ligatures, but we are the first to document removal (and subsequent nestling mortality) in response to this technique. We urge investigators to exercise caution when using throat ligatures on species for which evidence of the safety and efficacy of this method are lacking, especially when nestlings are small in size relative to adults. ?? 2010 by the Wilson Ornithological Society.
Suggested Citation
Robinson, G., Conway, C., Kirkpatrick, C., and Laroche, D., 2010, Response to nestling throat ligatures by three songbirds: Wilson Journal of Ornithology, v. 122, no. 4, p. 806-809, https://doi.org/10.1676/10-026.1.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Response to nestling throat ligatures by three songbirds |
| Series title | Wilson Journal of Ornithology |
| DOI | 10.1676/10-026.1 |
| Volume | 122 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2010 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wilson Journal of Ornithology |
| First page | 806 |
| Last page | 809 |