학술논문
Is avoidance by black woodpeckers of old nest holes due to predators?
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
Animal Behaviour. March 1991, Vol. 41 Issue 3, p439, 3 p. table (Breeding success and nestling weights of the black woodpecker.)
Subject
Language
ISSN
0003-3472
Abstract
The breeding success of black woodpeckers, Dryocopus martius, in old and newly constructed nest cavities was compared. Young fledged in only 38% of nests in old cavities compared to 71% in new ones. This difference was mainly due to predation by pine martens, Martens martes. Mean clutch size, brood size, nestling weight and timing of breeding did not differ significantly between old and new nest holes. It is suggested that the reason black woodpeckers usually excavate a new nest cavity each year is mainly to avoid predation but that owing to time constraints some individuals may choose to nest relatively early in an old hole rather than later in a new hole.