This study is based on an analysis of nest-histories of 652 Collared Flycatcher nests found in natural tree cavities in the Białowieża National Park in 1988–1999. The secondary-cavity-nester Collared Flycatcher constitutes migratory single-brooded population breeding in high density in the primeval oak-lime-hornbeam (Querco/TillioCarpinetum) stands. Nest predation was the main reason of the breeding losses (240 nests) accounting for 91% (82%–100%) of them. Local production of fledglings was affected by nest predation caused by rodents, mustelids and Great Spotted Woodpecker. In this study a link between forest rodent cycles and the Collared Flycatcher fluctuations in number was documented. Number of produced fledglings depended on both, positively the number of the Collared Flycatcher breeding pairs in year N and negatively on the Yellow-necked Mouse density in year N. Rate of nest destruction is related to the density of the Yellow-necked Mouse recorded in BNP, while independent on the Collared Flycatcher density (nest predation limiting but not regulating). The predation pressure in some years keeps the Collared Flycatcher density at a level well below that of the potential the habitat resources (nest-sites, food). Local breeding density was shaped by fledglings productivity (breeding success) of the previous year. Earlier hypotheses concerning the Collared Flycatcher and other birds population limitation were also discussed.
REFERENCES
R. V. Alatalo
,
A. Lundberg
,
M. Björklund
1982. Can the song of male birds attract other males? An experiment with the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Bird Behaviour 4: 42–45. Google Scholar
R. V. Alatalo
,
A. Lundberg
,
S. Ulfstrand
1985. Habitat selection in the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca.
In:
M. L. Cody
(ed.).
Habitat Selection in Birds. Academic Press, New York, pp. 59–83. Google Scholar
P. Angelstam
1983. Population dynamics of tetraonids, especially the Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L. in boreal forests. Ph. D. thesis, Uppsala University, Sweden. Google Scholar
F. C. Bellrose
,
K. L. Johnstone
,
T. C. Meyers
1964. Relative value use of natural cavities and nesting houses for Wood Ducks. J. Wildl. Manage. 28: 661–676. Google Scholar
E. Bolen
1967. Nesting boxes for Black-bellied Tree Ducks. J. Wildl. Manage. 31: 794–797. Google Scholar
S. Borowski
1963.
Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) in the tops of tall trees. Acta Theriol. 6: 314. Google Scholar
J. D. Brawn
1987. Density effects on reproduction of cavity nesters in northern Arizona. Auk 104: 783–787. Google Scholar
J. L. Brown
1969. Territorial behavior and population regulation in birds. Wilson Bull. 81: 293–329. Google Scholar
M. G. Bulmer
,
C. M. Perrins
1973. Mortality in the great tit (Parus major). Ibis 115: 277–281. Google Scholar
D. Czeszczewik
2001. [Breeding ecology of Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca in natural and managed woods]. Ph. D. thesis, Wrocław University, Poland. Google Scholar
D. Czeszczewik
,
W. Walankiewicz
1999. Nest-cavity inspections by male Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca under natural conditions in the Bialowieza National Park. Vogelwelt 120, Suppl.: 367–369. Google Scholar
D. Czeszczewik
,
W. Walankiewicz
,
C. Mitrus
,
W. K. Nowakowski
1999. Nest-box data of Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca may lead to erroneous generalizations. Vogelwelt 120, Suppl.: 361–365. Google Scholar
B. Doligez
,
E. Danchin
,
J. Clobert
2002. Public information and breeding habitat selection in a wild bird population. Science 297: 1168–1170. Google Scholar
N. C. Drilling
,
C. F. Thompson
1988. Natal and breeding dispersal in house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). Auk 105: 480–491. Google Scholar
E. K. Dunn
1977. Predation by Weasels (Mustela nivalis) on breeding tits (Parus spp.) in relation to the density of tits and rodents. J. Anim. Ecol. 46: 633–652. Google Scholar
M. L. East
,
C. M. Perrins
1988. The effects of nestboxes on breeding populations of birds in broadleaved temperate woodlands. Ibis 130: 393–401. Google Scholar
P. L. Errington
1946. Predation and vertebrate populations. Quart. Rev. Biol. 21: 145–177. Google Scholar
J. B. Faliński
1986. Vegetation dynamics in temperate zone lowland primeval forests: Ecological studies in Bialowieza Forest. Dr W. Junk. Publ. Dordrecht. Google Scholar
M. Frantzen
,
W. Winkel
1987. Ein auch vom Trauerschnäpper (Ficedula hypoleuca) akzeptierter “Marderschutz” für künstliche Nisthöühlen vom Typ “Schwegler”. Vogelwelt 89: 176–178. Google Scholar
D. M. Finch
1989. Relationship of surrounding riparian habitat to nest-box use and reproductive outcome in house wrens. Condor 91: 848–885. Google Scholar
L. Gustafsson
1985. Fitness factors in the collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis Temm. Ph. D. thesis, Uppsala University, Sweden. Google Scholar
Haartman L. von
1971. Population dynamics. In: D. S. Farner, J. R. King (eds). Avian Biology, part I. Academic Press, New York, pp. 392–449. Google Scholar
L. Hansson
,
B. Jędrzejewska
,
W. Jędrzejewski
2000. Regional differences in dynamics of bank vole populations in Europe. Pol. J. Ecol. 48: 163–177. Google Scholar
C. J. Herlugson
1981. Nest site selection in mountain bluebirds. Condor 83: 252–255. Google Scholar
R. A. Hinde
1959. Behaviour and speciation in birds and lower vertebrates. Biological Review 34: 85–128. Google Scholar
A. Järvinen
1985. Predation causing extended low densities in relation to small rodent density in microtine cycles implications from predation on hole-nesting passerines. Oikos 45: 157:158. Google Scholar
A. Järvinen
1989. Patterns and causes of long-term variation in reproductive traits of the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca in Finnish Lapland. Ornis Fenn. 66: 24–31. Google Scholar
A. Järvinen
1990. Changes in the abundance of birds in relation to small rodent density and predation rate in Finnish Lapland. Bird Study 37: 36–39. Google Scholar
B. Jędrzejewska
,
W. Jędrzejewski
1998. Predation in Vertebrate Communities. The Białowieża Primeval Forest as a Case Study. Ecol. Studies 135, Springer. Google Scholar
W. Jędrzejewski
,
A. Zalewski
,
B. Jędrzejewska
1993. Foraging by Pine marten Martes martes in relation to food resources in Białowieża National Park, Poland. Acta Theriol. 38:405–426. Google Scholar
H. Löhrl
1951. Balz und Parrbildund beim Halsbandfligenschnäpper. J. Ornithol. 93: 41–60. Google Scholar
A. Lundberg
,
R. V. Alatalo
,
A. Carlson
,
S. Ulfstrand
1981. Biometry, habitat distribution and breeding success in the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Ornis Scand. 12: 68–79. Google Scholar
V. Marcström
,
R. E. Kenward
,
E. Engren
1988. The impact of predation on boreal tetraonids during vole cycles: an experimental study. J. Anim. Ecol. 57: 859–872. Google Scholar
T. E. Martin
1992. Interaction of nest predation and food limitation in reproductive strategies. Curr. Ornithol. 9: 163–197. Google Scholar
T. E. Martin
1993. Nest predation and nest sites — new perspectives on old patterns. BioScience 43: 523–532. Google Scholar
C. Mitrus
1998. [Effect of Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis males age on the breeding success under conditions of natural forest]. Ph. D. thesis, Wrocław University, Poland. Google Scholar
C. Mitrus
,
W. Walankiewicz
,
D. Czeszczewik
,
P. M. Jabłoński
1996. Age and arrival date of Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis males do not influence quality of natural cavities used. Acta Ornithol. 31: 101–106. Google Scholar
S. Myrberget
1984. Population dynamics of Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus on an island in north Norway. Fauna Norv. Ser. C. Cinclus 7: 95–105. Google Scholar
I. Newton
1993. Predation and limitation of bird numbers. Curr. Ornithol. 11: 143–198. Google Scholar
I. Newton
1994a. Experiments on the limitation of bird breeding densities: a review. Ibis 136: 397–411. Google Scholar
I. Newton
1994b. The role of nest sites in limiting the numbers of hole-nesting birds: a review. Biol. Conserv. 70: 265–276. Google Scholar
S. G. Nilsson
1975. [Clutch size and breeding success of birds in nest boxes and natural cavities]. Vår Fågelvärld 34: 207–211. Google Scholar
S. G. Nilsson
1984. The evolution of nest-site selection among hole-nesting birds: the importance of nest predation and competition. Ornis Scand. 15: 167–175. Google Scholar
S. G. Nilsson
1986. Evolution of hole-nesters in birds: on balancing selection pressures. Auk 103: 432–435. Google Scholar
T. Pärt
1991. Philopatry pays: a comparison between Collared Flycatcher sisters. Am. Nat. 138: 790–796. Google Scholar
B. C. Pinkowski
1979. Nest site selection in eastern bluebirds. Condor 81: 435–436. Google Scholar
Z. Pucek
,
W. Jędrzejewski
,
B. Jędrzejewska
,
M. Pucek
1993. Rodent population dynamics in a primeval deciduous forest (Bialowieza National Park) in relation to weather, seed crop, and predation. Acta Theriol. 38: 199-232. Google Scholar
J. H. Rappole
,
M. V. McDonald
1994. Cause and effect in migratory bird population changes. Auk 111: 652–660. Google Scholar
P. Rowiński
2001. [Timing of breeding of the Nuthatch Sitta europaea in relation to natural food resources in a primeval forest]. Ph. D. thesis, Agriculture Univ. of Warsaw, Poland. Google Scholar
P. Rowiński
,
T. Wesołowski
1999. Timing of Marsh Tit (Parus palustris) and Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) breeding in relation to their caterpillar food in primeval conditions — preliminary data. Ring 21: 126. Google Scholar
U. Sandström
1992. Cavities in trees: their occurrence, formation and importance for hole-nesting birds in relation to silvicultural practise. Swedish Univ., Agriett Sci. Repport 23, Uppsala. Google Scholar
T. Slagsvold
1975. Competition between the Great Tit Parus major and the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca in the breeding season. Ornis Scand. 6: 179–190. Google Scholar
T. Storaas
,
P. Wegge
,
G. Sonerud
1982. Destruction des nids de grand tetras et cycle des petits rongeurs dans l'est de la Norvege. In:
C. Kempf
(ed.).
Actes du Colloque International sur le Grand Tetras (Tetrao urogallus major). Colmar, France. Union Nationale des Associations Ornithologiques, pp. 166. Google Scholar
L. Svensson
1984. Identification guide to European Passerines. Naturhistoriska Riksuseet, Stockholm. Google Scholar
S. Svensson
1985. Nesting density and breeding performance of the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca near the tree line in Swedish Lapland. Acta Reg. Soc. Sci. Litt. Gothoburgensis. Zool. 14: 84–94. Google Scholar
G. A. Swanson
,
R. A. Ryder
1979. Conservation and management of nongame birds. Unpublished Class syllabus. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, pp. 286. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
1980. The impact of predation on urban and rural Woodpigeon [Columba palumbus (L.)] populations. Pol. Ecol. Stud. 5: 141–220. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
1990. Characteristics of old growth in the Białowieża Forest, Poland. Natural Areas Journal 11: 7–18. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
1999. A long-term study of changing predation impact on breeding woodpigeons. In:
D. P. Cowand
,
C. J. Feare
(eds).
Advances in vertebrate pest management. Filander Verlag, Fürth, pp. 205–218. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
,
T. Wesołowski
1990. Bird communities of the primeval temperate forest of Białowieża, Poland. In:
A. Keast
(ed.).
Biogeography and ecology of forest bird communities. The Hague, pp. 141–165. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
,
T. Wesołowski
1994. Die Stabilität der Vogelmeinschaft in einem Urwald der gemässigten Zone: Ergebnisse einer 15 jährigen Studie aus dem Nationalpark von Białowieża (Polen). Ornithol. Beob. 91: 73–110. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
,
T. Wesołowski
1996. Structure of a primeval forest bird community during 1970s and 1990s (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Acta Ornithol. 31: 133–154. Google Scholar
L. Tomiałojć
,
T. Wesołowski
,
W. Walankiewicz
1984. Breeding bird community of a primeval temperate forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Acta Ornithol. 20: 241–310. Google Scholar
L. G. Underhill
,
R. P. Prys-Jones
,
E. E. Syroechowski Jr
,
N. M. Groen
,
V. Karpov
,
H. G. Lappo
,
M. V. J. Van Roomen
,
A. Rybkin
,
H. Schekkerman
,
H. Spiekman
and
R. W. Summers
1993. Breeding of waders (Charadrii) and Brend Geese Branta bernicla at Prochishcheva Lake, northeastern Taimyr, Russia, in a peak and a decreasing lemming year. Ibis 135: 277–292. Google Scholar
W. Walankiewicz
1991. Do secondary cavity-nesting birds suffer more from competition for cavities or from predation in a primeval deciduous forest? Natural Areas Journal 11: 203–211. Google Scholar
W. Walankiewicz
2002. Breeding losses in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis caused by nest predators in the Białowieża National park (Poland). Acta Ornithol. 37: 21–26. Google Scholar
W. Walankiewicz
,
C. Mitrus
1997. How nest-box data have led to erroneous generalizations: the case of the competition between Great Tit Parus major and Ficedula flycatchers. Acta Ornithol. 32: 209–212. Google Scholar
W. Walankiewicz
,
D. Czeszczewik
,
C. Mitrus
A. Szymura
1997a. How the territory mapping technique reflects yearly fluctuations in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis numbers? Acta Ornithol. 32: 201–207. Google Scholar
W. Walankiewicz
,
C. Mitrus
,
D. Czeszczewik
,
P. M. Jabłoński
1997b. Is the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca overcompeted by the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis in the natural forest of Białowieża? Acta Ornithol. 32: 213–217. Google Scholar
J. R. Waters
,
B. R. Noon
,
J. Verner
1990. Lack of nest site limitation in a cavity-nesting bird community. J. Wildl. Manage. 54: 239–245. Google Scholar
A. Watson
,
R. Moss
1979. Population cycles in the Tetraonidae. Ornis Fenn. 56: 87–109. Google Scholar
T. Wesołowski
1985. The breeding ecology of the Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in primeval forest. Ornis Scand. 16: 49–60. Google Scholar
T. Wesołowski
2002. Anti-predator adaptations in nesting Marsh Tits Parus palustris: the role of nest-site security. Ibis 144: 593–601. Google Scholar
T. Wesołowski
,
T. Stawarczyk
1991. Survival and population dynamics of Nuthatches Sitta europaea breeding in natural cavities in a primeval temperate forest. Ornis Scand. 22: 143–154. Google Scholar
T. Wesołowski
,
L. Tomiałojć
1997. Breeding bird dynamics in a primeval temperate forest: long-term trends in Bialowieza National Park (Poland). Ecography 20: 432–453. Google Scholar
T. Wesołowski
,
L. Tomiałojć
,
C. Mitrus
,
P. Rowiński
,
D. Czeszczewik
2002. The breeding bird community of a primeval temperate forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland) at the end of the 20th century. Acta Ornithol. 37: 27–45. Google Scholar
T. Wesołowski
,
L. Tomiałojć
,
T. Stawarczyk
1987. Why low numbers of Parus major in Białowieża Forest — removal experiments. Acta Ornithol. 23: 303–316. Google Scholar
T. Willebrand
1988. Demography and ecology of a Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix L.) population. Ph. D. thesis, Uppsala University, , Sweden. Google Scholar
W. Winkel
1989. Langfristige Bestandsentwicklung von Kohlmeise (Parus major) und Trauerschnäpper (Ficedula hypoleuca): Ergebnisse aus Niedersachsen. J. Ornithol. 130: 335–343. Google Scholar
J. Withgott
2002. Birds spy on neighbors to choose nest sites. Science 297: 1107. Google Scholar
A. Zalewski
,
W. Jędrzejewski
,
B. Jędrzejewska
1995. Pine marten home ranges, numbers and predation on vertebrates in a deciduous forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Ann. Zool. Fennici 32: 131–144. Google Scholar
