Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1212-782X

Advisor

Davis, J. Brian

Committee Member

Boudreau, Melanie R.

Committee Member

Wang, Guiming

Committee Member

Taylor, Eric J.

Date of Degree

8-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Abstract

Various environmental and demographic factors can influence nest site selection in cavity-nesting birds. Nest site choices may involve females’ familiarity with local habitats or resources, or information gained about the quality of a potential nest site. Common Goldeneyes (Bucephela clangula) are philopatric, yet some proportions of available nest boxes commonly remain vacant during breeding seasons throughout the birds’ range. As part of a long-term (1997-2022) study of Common Goldeneyes, I monitored 150 nest boxes in 2021 and 2022 in the Chena River State Recreation Area, Fairbanks, Alaska. I studied use of nest boxes based on box- and landscape specific habitat characteristics, and long-term trends in nest boxes, such as those used or not used by goldeneyes. Nest boxes that were more visible and proximal to wetland habitats positively influenced use, as did breeding population size, recent success, time since the last depredation event, and egg parasitism rates.

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