Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Causes of reduced clutch size in a tidal marsh endemic

  • Population Ecology - Original Paper
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We tested three hypotheses of clutch size variation in two subspecies of the swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana georgiana and M. g. nigrescens). Swamp sparrows follow the pattern of other estuarine endemics, where clutch size is smaller among tidal salt marsh populations (M. g. nigrescens) than their closest inland relatives (M. g. georgiana). Our results support predation risk and temperature, but not adult survival, as explanations of this pattern in swamp sparrows. Coastal nests were twice as likely to fail as inland nests, and parental activity around the nest site was positively related to clutch size at both sites. When brood size was controlled for, coastal adults visited nests less often and females vocalized less frequently during visits than inland birds, which may decrease nest detectability to predators. Coastal parents waited longer than inland birds to feed offspring in the presence of a model nest predator, but there was no difference in their response to models of predators of adults, as would be expected if coastal birds possessed increased longevity. Additionally, coastal females laid more eggs than inland females over a single season, following a within-season bet-hedging strategy rather than reducing within-season investment. Coastal territories experienced ambient air temperatures above the physiological zero of egg development more often, and higher temperatures during laying correlated with smaller clutches and increased egg inviability among coastal birds. Similar effects were not seen among inland nests, where laying temperatures were generally below physiological zero. Both subspecies showed an increase in hatching asynchrony and a decrease in apparent incubation length under high temperatures. Coastal individuals, however, showed less hatching asynchrony overall despite higher temperatures. Both air temperatures during laying and predation risk could potentially explain reduced clutch size in not only coastal plain swamp sparrows, but also other tidal marsh endemics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ardia DR, Cooper CB, Dhondt AA (2006) Warm temperatures lead to early onset of incubation, shorter incubation periods and greater hatching asynchrony in tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor at the extremes of their range. J Avian Biol 37:137–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashmole NP (1963) The regulation of numbers of tropical oceanic birds. Ibis 103:458–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atlantic Coast Observer Network (2006) ACON data files. The John Hopkins University applied physics laboratory. Available at: http://www.jhuapl.edu/weather/education/ACONdata.html

  • Beadell J, Greenberg R, Droege S, Royle JA (2003) Distribution, abundance, and habitat affinities of the coastal plain swamp sparrow. Wilson Bull115:38–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper CB, Hochachka WM, Butcher G, Dhondt AA (2005) Seasonal and latitudinal trends in clutch size: thermal constraints during laying and incubation. Ecology 86:2018–2031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper CB, Hochachka WM, Phillips TB, Dhondt AA (2006) Geographical and seasonal gradients in hatching failure in Eastern Bluebirds, Sialia sialis, reinforce clutch size trends. Ibis 148:221–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Deeming DC, Ferguson MWJ (1992) Physiological effects of incubation temperature on embryonic development in reptiles and birds. In: Deeming DC, Ferguson MWJ (eds) Egg incubation: its effects on embryonic development in birds and reptiles. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 143–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggers S, Griesser M, Ekman J (2005) Predator-induced plasticity in nest visitation rates in the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus). Behav Ecol 16:309–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eggers S, Griesser M, Nystrand M, Ekman J (2006) Predation risk induces changes in nest-site selection and clutch size in the Siberian jay. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 273:701–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etterson MA, Nagy LR, Robinson TR (2007) Partitioning risk among different causes of nest failure. Auk 124:432–443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fenwick GH, Boone DD (1984) The peatlands of western Maryland. In: Threatened and endangered plants and animals of Maryland. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis

  • Ferretti V, Llambias PE, Martin TE (2005) Life-history variation of a neotropical thrush challenges food limitation theory. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 272:769–773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontaine JJ, Martin TE (2006) Parent birds assess nest predation risk and adjust their reproductive strategies. Ecol Lett 9:428–434

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghalambor CK, Martin TE (2000) Parental investment strategies in two species of nuthatch vary with stage-specific predation risk and reproductive effort. Anim Behav 60:263–267

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghalambor CK, Martin TE (2001) Fecundity-survival trade-offs and parental risk-taking in birds. Science 292:494–497

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghalambor CK, Martin TE (2002) Comparative manipulation of predation risk in incubating birds reveals variability in the plasticity of responses. Behav Ecol 13:101–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gowaty PA, Plissner JH (1997) Breeding dispersal of eastern bluebirds depends on nesting success but not on removal of old nests: An experimental study. J Field Ornithol 68:323–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg R (1989) Neophobia, aversion to open space, and ecological plasticity in song and swamp sparrows. Can J Zool 67:1194–1199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg RG et al (2006) Flooding and predation: trade-offs in the nesting ecology of tidal-marsh sparrows. In: Greenberg R, Maldonado JE, Droege S, McDonald MV (eds) Terrestrial vertebrates of tidal marshes: ecology, evolution, and conservation. Studies in avian biology, vol 32. Cooper Ornithological Society, Oshkosh, pp 96–109

  • Greenberg R, Droege S (1990) Adaptation to tidal marshes in breeding populations of the swamp sparrow. Condor 92:393–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood PJ, Harvey PH (1982) The natal and breeding dispersal of birds. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 13:1–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haas CA (1998) Effects of prior nesting success on site fidelity and breeding dispersal: an experimental approach. Auk 115:929–936

    Google Scholar 

  • Lack D (1948) The significance of clutch size. Part 3. Some interspecific comparisons. Ibis 90:25–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magrath RD et al (2000) Life in the slow lane: Reproductive life history of the White-browed Scrubwren, an Australian endemic. Auk 117:479–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin TE (1995) Avian life-history evolution in relation to nest sites, nest predation, and food. Ecol Monogr 65:101–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin TE (2002) A new view of avian life-history evolution tested on an incubation paradox. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 269:309–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin TE (2004) Avian life-history evolution has an eminent past: does it have a bright future? Auk 121:289–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin TE, Martin PR, Olson CR, Heidinger BJ, Fontaine JJ (2000) Parental care and clutch sizes in North and South American birds. Science 287:1482–1485

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mayfield HF (1975) Suggestions for calculating nest success. Wilson Bull 87:456–466

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald MV, Greenberg R (1991) Nest departure calls in female songbirds. Condor 93:365–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreau RE (1944) Clutch size: a comparative study with reference to African birds. Ibis 86:286–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowbray TB (1997) Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana). In: Poole A, Gill FB (eds) The birds of North America, vol 279. The Academy of Natural Sciences and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolan PM, Stoehr AM, Hill GE, McGraw KJ (2001) The number of provisioning visits by House Finches predicts the mass of food delivered. Condor 103:851–855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor RJ (1984) The growth and development of birds. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell LA, Frasch LL (2000) Can nest predation and predator type explain variation in dispersal of adult birds during the breeding season? Behav Ecol 11:437–443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricklefs RE (1967) A graphical method of fitting equations to growth curves. Ecology 48:978–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricklefs RE (1970) Clutch size in birds: outcome of opposing predator and prey adaptations. Science 168:559–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotella JJ, Dinsmore SJ, Shaffer TL (2004) Modeling nest-survival data: a comparison of recently developed methods that can be implemented in MARK and SAS. Anim Biodivers Conserv 27:187–205

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (2005) The SAS system for windows: version 9.1. SAS Institute, Cary

  • Shaffer TL (2004a) Logistic-exposure analyses of nest survival (version 25 July 2006). Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online, Jamestown. Available at: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/nestsurv/index.htm

  • Shaffer TL (2004b) A unified approach to analyzing nest success. Auk 121:526–540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skutch AF (1949) Do tropical birds rear as many young as they can nourish? Ibis 91:430–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skutch AF (1976) Parent birds and their young. University of Texas Press, Austin

    Google Scholar 

  • Slagsvold T (1982) Clutch size variation in passerine birds: the nest predation hypothesis. Oecologia 54:159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slagsvold T (1984) Clutch size variation of birds in relation to nest predation: On the cost of reproduction. J Anim Ecol 53:945–953

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoleson SH, Beissinger SR (1999) Egg viability as a constraint on hatching synchrony at high ambient temperatures. J Anim Ecol 68:951–962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb DR (1987) Thermal tolerance of avian embryos: a review. Condor 89:874–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winkler DW et al (2004) Breeding dispersal and philopatry in the tree swallow. Condor 106:768–776

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The field research was funded by grants from the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Maryland Ornithological Society, the Washington Biologists’ Field Club, the Washington Group of the Explorer’s Club, the Eastern Bird Banding Association, the Smithsonian Institution’s Abbot Fund, Virginia Tech’s Graduate Research Development Program, the Bailey Fund at Virginia Tech, and both Smithsonian Institution Graduate and Pre-doctoral Fellowships. Much thanks to Kevin Kalasz, Jennifer Wang, Meghan Powell, Kari Murabito, Jaan Kolts, Karen Callaway, Audrey Wessel, Joel Adamson, Benjamin Augustine, Benjamin Beas, Kate Heyden, and Irene Liu for help in the field. All research was compliant with current laws of the USA. Bird handling was conducted under US federal banding permit number 22665 and approved by the Conservation and Research Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park under proposal #04–10. Comments from Craig Osenberg, Blair Wolf, and an anonymous reviewer greatly improved this manuscript.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Brian J. Olsen

    Present address: School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469-5751, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA

    Brian J. Olsen & Russell Greenberg

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0406, USA

    Brian J. Olsen & Jeffrey R. Walters

  3. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0321, USA

    Joshua M. Felch

Authors
  1. Brian J. Olsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joshua M. Felch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Russell Greenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeffrey R. Walters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian J. Olsen.

Additional information

Communicated by Blair Wolf.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Olsen, B.J., Felch, J.M., Greenberg, R. et al. Causes of reduced clutch size in a tidal marsh endemic. Oecologia 158, 421–435 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-008-1148-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-008-1148-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation