Forest Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Olfactory And Visual Predators On Nest Success And Nest-Site Selection Of Waterfowl In North Dakota., Jennifer S. Borgo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Selecting a nest site is an important decision for waterfowl. Because most nest failure is due to depredation, the primary selective pressure in choosing a nest site should be to reduce depredation risk. This task is difficult because predators use differing tactics to locate nests, such as olfactory or visual cues. I investigated several components of waterfowl nest-site selection and success on sites with shelterbelts (planted tree-rows) in North Dakota, during the 2006 and 2007 nesting seasons.

I found that meteorological conditions impacted nest depredation; artificial nests were more likely to be depredated when either temperature or dew point was …