Defensive and breeding behavior

Time: 3:30-5pm
Date: 4/21
Location: Walk starting at house in Stow, MA then through conservation lands leading to a cemetery in Maynard MA.
Weather: 50 or so and sunny with intermittent cloudiness
Habitat: Varied habitat, starting at a suburban feeder, then through thick old wood/coniferous forest, finally into a very groomed cemetery with some old or dying trees.

What behaviors (visual and aural) are you seeing that are related to mate selection, nest selection, or territory selection?

I am seeing a lot of breeding pairs already joined up, they tend to be present together, and will sing back and forth when in the trees, I see this a lot with the Goldfinch pair that we have on our property. I am also hearing a lot of males performing song or displaying. The downy's that were observed fighting over territory were a clear sign of this. I have not seen much in the way of nest selection though we have some nesting boxes that some species of birds have inhabited.

Where, specifically, on the property might some of your observed species be nesting? How do these habitat requirements differ from species to species?

I know we have some birds nesting in suburban nest boxes, such as our Eastern Bluebirds. Other suburban birds like the House Finches are choosing to nest in eaves and gutters on horses. On the other hand, I have seen woodpeckers and crows preparing nests in tree tops of cavities for young. These are mostly old wood trees that can be hollowed out easily or have already been hollowed out by another animal.

Find a bird that may be defending a territory (i.e. singing). Is it defending a prime or poor territory compared to other members of its species? What might this indicate about that birds’ fitness?

I have seen a few male downy woodpeckers defending territory against other males. Much of this is done through song or physical attacks. The one bird I have been watching particularly has chosen a beautiful stand of trees near-ish to a small pond and is surrounded by older/dead trees that are perfect for bugs. I would assume that this bird is a very fit individual and should produce good offspring.

Pick a different bird and describe what it may be using to build or line its nest. Where, specifically, would it have to go to acquire these materials?

Tufted Titmouse' are commonly cavity builders. I would assume that they would line it with soft things such as animal hair, dry leaves, and moss. I think they in comparison to where I live, they're probably going to peoples lawns for animal hair and moss, and just down near their trees to acquire leaves. I also live in an area with a lot of farms, so I would not be surprised if birds used horse hair or wool for their nests as well.

Publicado el 23 de abril de 2020 a las 12:37 AM por rrhender