Blowfly Parasitism of Eastern Bluebirds in Natural and Artificial Nest Sites

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Abstract
Parasitism of eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) nests by blowflies (Apaulina sp.) was studied for natural and artificial nest sites in Michigan [USA] from 1970-1974. Nearly equal percentages of nests in natural and artificial cavities were parasitized (82% and 85%, respectively). The mean number of parasites per parasitized nest was significantly greater (P < 0.02) in artificial (.hivin.x = 91.4) than natural sites (.hivin.x = 51.5), possibly because artificial cavities were larger and contained more nesting material than natural cavities. Among parasitized nests in artificial sites, more parasites were recorded in summer than spring, number of parasites was positively correlated (P < 0.02) with number of nestlings, and significantly (P < 0.05) more parasites were found in nests where young were deprived of food compared with controls.

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