Reproductive ecology of the island scrub-jay (Aphelocoma insularis)

The small population size and limited range of the Island Scrub-Jay make it a species of conservation concern, yet its reproductive ecology is poorly known. From 2008 - 2010 I investigated factors influencing nest success, quantified annual fecundity per pair, and documented breeding behavior. Nest predation was the major factor influencing nest success, accounting for 92 percent of documented nest failures. Nests that were initiated earlier in the breeding season, nests that were higher and more concealed, and nests of breeding pairs that had smaller home ranges had higher daily nest survival. Despite a low estimated daily nest survival rate of 0.945 ± 0.004 SE, the high frequency of renesting allowed pairs to maintain a mean fecundity of 1.13 ± 0.15 SE. Island Scrub-Jays may benefit from an increase in breeding habitat and lower nest predation from the ongoing regeneration of woody vegetation and understory structure following the removal of exotic herbivores on Santa Cruz Island.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Authors dc:creator

• Caldwell, Luke, author
• Angeloni, Lisa M., advisor
• Sillett, T. Scott, committee member
• Savidge, Julie A., committee member

• nest success
• nest predation
• island scrub-jay
• habitat-specific fecundity
• Santa Cruz Island
• Island scrub jay -- California -- Santa Cruz Island -- Reproduction
• Island scrub jay -- Ecology -- California -- Santa Cruz Island
• Aphelocoma insularis

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018622

Identifier

ETDF2010300034BIOL

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/45985