Study

Artificial nest site preferences of black-capped chickadees

  • Published source details Cooper C. & Bonter D. (2008) Artificial nest site preferences of black-capped chickadees. Journal of Field Ornithology, 79, 193-197.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

    A replicated study in the summers of 2005-7 in an area of swamp forest in New York State, USA (Cooper & Bonter 2008), found that black-capped chickadees Parus atricapillus (also Poecile atricapillus) nested in a higher proportion of artificial snags than nest boxes filled with wood shavings (60-70% of 20 snags excavated by chickadees each year and 25-30% used for nests vs. 40-50% and 15% for filled boxes). Chickadees also used more nest boxes filled with wood shavings than unfilled boxes. Nests in artificial snags were less likely to be usurped by mice and no more likely to be usurped by house wrens Troglodytes aedon than nest boxes. Twenty sites were used, 12 with snags and filled boxes and eight with unfilled boxes as well. Snags consisted on 10.2 cm diameter PVC pipes with a 2.8 cm entrance hole and filled with wood shavings.

     

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust