AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Predation on an Inland Heronry in Eastern Texas

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1971
Authors:Taylor, RJ, Michael, ED
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:83
Issue:2
Date Published:1971
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Ardeidae, Corvidae, Corvus, Corvus corone, Egretta, Egretta caerulea, Egretta sacra, Florida, Florida caerulea, Hydranassa, Hydranassa caerulea
Abstract:An inland heronry consisting mainly of Little Blue Herons was studied in detail during the summer of 1969 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. Behavior associated with nesting was observed from an observation tower and nest success was followed by tagging each nest. Nesting occurred primarily in buttonbush, which was the most abundant woody plant in the heronry pond. Time of arrival, courtship, and nest building were similar to that for heronries in other southeastern states. Predation, however, was one of the most extensive ever reported. A total of 140 nests were located during the first nesting attempt but no young were produced due primarily to predators. Renesting was initiated one month later and 181 nests were located. Predators also caused the failure of this attempt although 24 young survived for a few days. Crude estimates indicate that crows destroyed the majority of the eggs and young although raccoons, snakes, and mink perhaps destroyed a few. Nesting has occurred in the pond every year for at least 10 years but detailed observations were not made prior to this study. No explanation for the total nest destruction is available although increased human activity may have been partially responsible.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4160071
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
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