[CT Birds] Starlings House Sparrows and Native Caviity Nesting Species Populations

[streatham2003 at aol.com]

Hi Paul et al,



I remember on another forum when this whole topic came up with
reference to Purple Martins and Eastern Bluebirds that actually the
research that could be accrued didn't back up the often held belief
that these introduced species were a disaster for native cavity nesters. The study by WD Koenig - European Starlings and Their 
                                  Effect on Native Cavity-Nesting Birds", 
                                  Conservation Biology, August 2003, vol. 17, 
                                  no. 4, pp. 1134-1140 basically
seems to mainly contradict that belief. apart from possibly having a negative effect in the case of a
couple of sapsucker species:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2003.02262.x/abs/
Also there wasn't much research seemingly available on the effects of
house sparrows either apart from some anecdotal evidence. Anyway
I'd be interested to hear if any of the ornithologists on here have a
point of view or some other research online they know about on the
issue that I could look at as it interests me (and maybe others).



I
don't want to kick off the whole cowbird issue again but interestingly
with regard to the Kirtland's Warbler although nest parasitism was high
(70% of nests) before the USFWS started their control program, they
apparently soon had it down to 6% of nests but there wasn't a
corresponding increase in numbers of singing males until the late 80's
when the Mack Lake Burn (which went out of control) created suitable
habitat. It seems to me, and I'd happily be enlightened on this if I am
wrong but habitat loss, pesticide use etc probably play a more
important role than invasive or parasitic bird species.



Luke Tiller

Wilton
________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com