NEST SITE SELECTION BY THE WESTERN YELLOW ROBIN Eopsaltria griseogularis IN WANDOO WOODLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
| Posted: |
10/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Jarrad A. Cousin |
Nest site selection by the Western Yellow Robin Eopsaltria griseogularis was examined during the 2000 and 2001
breeding seasons in Dryandra Woodland, Western Australia. The average nest height measured 4.1 metres and was
found in trees with an average height of 8.2 metres. Nest position generally corresponded to the basal crown height,
suggesting an ‘intermediate concealment’ trade-off represented by concealment by above canopy cover while
maintaining some view of the nest surroundings. Nest tree height was not different from that of surrounding trees,
although nest trees were generally smaller than all nearest surrounding trees, emphasising the additional concealment
and security provided from avian predators by taller surrounding trees. Western Yellow Robins have previously been
shown to exhibit strong selection for foraging microhabitat at the same 10 metre x 10 metre scale examined in the
present study. The absence of any microhabitat selection at nest sites in the present study indicates that foraging
opportunity does not appear to influence selection of nest sites, instead suggesting that detectability of predators may
drive selection by affording a view of nest surroundings.
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