Intra- and Interspecif is Relationships for Cavities among Cavity-nesting Birds, Particularly on Studies with Natural Cavities

Abstract

We review intra- and interspecific relationships among cavity-nesting birds using natural cavities. Nest boxes have been widely used on studies of cavitynesting birds, because they have several advantages. They are, for example, easily checked, making it possible to readily check the nest contents and hence to measure breeding success. It is also possible to conduct various kinds of experiments by manipulating the number and contents of nest boxes. The use of nest-boxes, however, also has several disadvantages. For example, the breeding density of cavitynesting birds increases as a result of the introduction of nest-boxes, and the species composition differs greatly from that under natural conditions. A number of studies have now been carried out without using nest-boxes since the study of van Balen et al. (1982). Thus, outlines of availability of natural cavities, their occupation rates, their frequency of reuse, and the importance of competition and predation on nest-site selection among cavity-nesting birds are discussed. Finally, the concept of"nest webs" by Martin & Eadie (1999), a new approach to the management and conservation of cavity-nesting birds is introduced.