Graduation Date
Fall 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources, option Wildlife
Committee Chair Name
Matthew Johnson
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Frank Fogarty
Second Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Barbara Clucas
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Public information, Prospecting, Social cues, Western Bluebirds, Agriculture, Behavior
Subject Categories
Wildlife
Abstract
Public information that provides an estimate of reproductive success, in addition to information gained through direct environmental sampling, may provide an efficient way for individuals to assess future breeding site quality. I investigated the hypothesis that prospecting Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) use post-breeding public information to select nest sites the following year across winegrape vineyards in Napa Valley. In late summer of 2023, I installed 200 nest boxes across 10 vineyards without prior box history. To simulate conspecific presence and successful breeding, boxes within 5 experimental vineyards were designated either full-treatment (boxes directly broadcasting adult song and nestling begging) or near-treatment (boxes within range of playback). Boxes within the remaining 5 vineyards functioned as silent controls. I collected footage of bluebird box visitation during playback sessions, and re-visited boxes in 2024 to assess box selection and collect local habitat data. Video analysis revealed that Western Bluebirds overwhelmingly prospected at full- and near-treatment boxes relative to controls. Visits to full-treatment boxes were also mediated by box proximity to woody vegetation, with increased prospecting activity at boxes closer to sparse tree patches. Box selection in 2024 was weakly influenced by similar habitat variables, but playback treatment had no strong effect on nest box use. These results suggest that Western bluebirds respond strongly to social cues indicative of conspecific presence and reproductive success, but retain land cover-based selectivity when prospecting, and potentially when choosing nest sites.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Jomaa, Fatime Wadad, "Use of public information for prospecting and nest site selection by Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana)" (2025). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2517.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2517
Collaboration
1