Effects of Nest-Site Selection on Depredation of Artificial Nests

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Abstract
We compared depredation of artificial arboreal nests between nests placed at nest sites used by birds in the previous season (actual nests) and those located at random nest sites (random nests) on a ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) management area in central Pennsylvania [USA] from May to July 1987. Ninety-eight (65%) actual nests and 109 (73%) random nests were disturbed to predators. The number of actual and random nests disturbed did not differ (P = 0.74) from expected. Fate (undisturbed vs. disturbed by predators) of actual and random nests was not related (P > 0.05) to time of nest placement during the study or to plot age, nest height, nesting substrate, and woody stem densities at ground level or at nest height. Because nesting substrate and, hence, degree of nest conspicuousness varies among bird species in nature, we suggest that results obtained from studies of predation on artifical nests be used with caution.