Repair/support nests to support breeding

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

20%
Certainty

10%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

If nesting sites are limited then birds may use nests which are not suitable. Rather than move the nests or eggs (see ‘Translocations’), it may be more appropriate to repair or support the nests.

Study locations

Key messages

A small study from Puerto Rico found that nine Puerto Rican parrot Amazona vittata nests were repaired, resulting in no chicks dying of cold.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A small study on nest success of Puerto Rican parrots Amazona vittata in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico, between 1973 and 1989 (Lindsey 1992) found that nest guarding and repair work by volunteers and biologists/technicians prevented the failure of nine nests in nest holes that had wet cavities, which, without repair, would have resulted in the eggs becoming chilled. A total of 71 nests were guarded. This study is also discussed in ‘Guard nests to increase nest success’.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Lindsey G.D. (1992) Nest guarding from observation blinds: strategy for improving Puerto Rican parrot nest success. Journal of Field Ornithology, 63, 466-472.

Please cite as:

Williams, D.R., Child, M.F., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Pople, R.G., Showler, D.A., Walsh, J.C., zu Ermgassen, E.K.H.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Bird Conservation. Pages 137-281 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bird Conservation

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