Nest predator identity and nest predation rates of 3 songbirds in the central Andes of south temperate Argentina.

JEFFERIES, MARÍA M.; GARRIDO, PAULA S.; LLAMBIAS PE

WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Año: 2021 p. 117 - 124

1559-4491

Nest predation is the primary cause of nest failure in passerines. In order to contributeto our understanding of how nest predators shape avian nesting ecology and lifehistories traits, we report nest predator identity and nest predation rates for 3 speciesof passerines in the central Andes of south temperate Argentina. We used videocameras and opportunistic observations with photographic documentation to identifynest predators of Grass Wrens (Cistothorus platensis) breeding in a riparian grassland,as well as House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and House Sparrows (Passerdomesticus) breeding in nest boxes in a tree plantation. From 13 nest predation eventswe were able to identify 3 nest predator species: mousehole snake (Philodryastrilineata), South American gray fox (Lycalopex griseus), and American Kestrel (Falcosparverius). Field observations also suggested fire ants (genera Solenopsis) as apossible nest predator. Mousehole snakes were identified at both grassland and forestplantation, representing 76.9% of the identified predation events. House Sparrows hadthe highest nest predation rate (43.1%), followed by Grass Wrens (30.8%) and HouseWrens (29.3%). Egg predation was more frequent for House Wrens (64.2%) andHouse Sparrows (50.0%) than for Grass Wrens (22.10 %). In contrast, nestlingpredation was considerable higher for Grass Wrens (77.9%) than for House Wrens andHouse Sparrows (34.7 and 50.0% respectively). Knowledge of the nest predatorcommunity and information of nest predation rates of different species in temperateSouth America, will contribute to understand nest predation effects on patterns andprocess of nesting success, life history traits and future management decisions in thisregion.