Nest Predation and Brood Parasitism of Tallgrass Prairie Birds

Abstract

Rates of nest predation and brood parasitism on 5 bird species nesting in fragments of tallgrass prairies in Minnesota were affected by the size of the prairie fragment containing the nest, the distance from the nest to a wooded edge, and the number of growing seasons since the vegetation around the nest was last burned. Rates of nest predation for 5 species were lower (P < 0.10 in each case) for nests on large (.gtoreq. 130 ha) fragments, in areas far (.gtoreq.45 m) from a wooded edge, and in vegetation that was recently burned (.ltoreq.3 yr). Rates of brood parasitism were lower (P < 0.10 in each case) far from a wooded edge. Prairie management to maximize nest productivity should provide large, regularly burned prairies with no nearby wooded edges.