Factors affecting the nesting success of Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) along an elevational gradient.

ABSTRACT: Montane birds experience a range of challenges that may limit their breeding success, including nest predation and severe climactic conditions. The continuing effects of climate change are causing shifts in biotic and abiotic factors that may compound these threats to montane bird species. In northeastern montane forests, many bird species are shifting downslope, potentially as the result of increased precipitation and temperature at higher elevations. Although lower elevations might be more favorable in terms of climactic conditions, nest predation is higher at lower elevations. Thus, montane birds might be faced with the opposing pressures of adverse climactic conditions at higher elevations and increased predation at lower elevations. We monitored nests of Swainson's Thrush (Catharus

SUBMITTER: Deckel SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10792399 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature