Steller’s jay space use and behavior in campground and non-campground sites within Redwood National and State Parks
Graduation Date
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Wildlife, 2013
Committee Chair Name
Jeffrey M. Black
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Space use, Steller’s jay, Nocturnal roost, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Wildlife, Canopy use, Human recreation, Anthropogenic food, Fledging success, Corvid, Old-growth forest, Redwood National and State Parks, Behavior, Redwood forest, Campground, Home range, Home range overlap
Abstract
Reducing corvid predation of marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) eggs and chicks near sites of human recreation has been proposed as a strategy to increase the viability of marbled murrelets nesting in California. To provide baseline information on Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) responses to campgrounds within Redwood National and State Parks, I attached radio-transmitters to adult male Steller's jays and compared space use and behavior between individuals at campground sites and non-campground sites. Home range size for jays at campground sites (16.4 ± 2.6 ha) did not differ from those at non-campground sites (15.0 ± 2.0 ha), although the distance of roost areas to campgrounds was positively associated with home range size. Additionally, home range overlap was significantly greater between adjacent individuals at campground sites (22.6%) than at non-campground sites (5.1%). During behavioral observations, proportional use of the ground, perching activity and use of anthropogenic substrates were all more frequent among individuals monitored at campground sites relative to non-campground sites. This study is the first to demonstrate that the reliability of anthropogenic food sources at recreational campgrounds directly influenced Steller's jay space use and behavior during the breeding season and emphasizes the importance of minimizing corvid exposure to supplemental food sources in marbled murrelet habitat.
Recommended Citation
Goldenberg, William Peter, "Steller’s jay space use and behavior in campground and non-campground sites within Redwood National and State Parks" (2013). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 953.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/953
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/g732dc42d