Nest Box Use by Cavity-nesting Birds

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Abstract
Nest boxes were investigated for use by cavity-nesting birds at the Carey Run Sanctuary, Garrett County, Maryland [USA]. These boxes provided nesting sites for the eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), house wren (Troglodytes aedon) and tree swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor). Boxes at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Prince Georges Co., Maryland, provided sites for the eastern bluebird, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and tufted titmouse (Parus bicolor). Box and habitat variables (24) were measured at each location. Six variables were used in discriminant function analysis to segregate the boxes used by the 3 bird species at Carey Run. Bluebirds tended to use boxes where herb height was less than at boxes used by home wrens or tree swallows. Distance to nearest tree, sapling and shrub, and distance and dbh [diameter breast height] of the nearest tree in front of the box were least at boxes used by house wrens and greatest at tree swallow boxes. Bluebird boxes were intermediate. A discriminant function model developed for Carey Run was used to classify nest boxes at Beltsville. Approximately 81% of the eastern bluebird nest boxes, the species common to both sites, were classified correctly at Beltsville. Use of the nest boxes by the eastern bluebird can be enhanced by placing them in the correct habitat configuration. Discriminant function analysis could be a useful management tool for evaluating nest box locations prior to undertaking an extensive nest box program.

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