Meeting Abstract
The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a species of conservation interest. Destruction of habitat and introduction of nesting resource competitors (bluebirds are obligate secondary cavity nesters) led to a reduction in populations across their range. Bluebird recovery has been strongly assisted by their ready adoption of artificial nesting cavities. Traditionally nesting cavities or nest boxes have been wooden in construction; this mimics what bluebirds naturally use, and non-traditional materials were feared to be potentially dangerous or damaging to the individuals using them. Here we report on the development and use of nest boxes constructed from recycled ammunition storage cases. Ammunition cases are approximately the same dimensions as a traditional wooden box and only need an opening drilled in them before use. At the study site (Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA) bluebird pairs using traditional wooden boxes were compared for a number of behavioral and physiological variables to pairs using metal nest boxes. We have found no differences in the size of offspring produced in wooden versus metal boxes and feeding rates of pairs did not differ based on whether they were using a wooden or metal box, although pairs using metal boxes tended to make more feeding trips. Analyses of nestling growth, adult incubation behavior, and the hormone corticosterone are ongoing. Tentatively we see no issues with the use of metal nest boxes, although some precautions may need to be taken with respects to placement of boxes in the environment. Additionally, future assessment of individuals using or being produced from these boxes is needed to determine if there is any longer term impact.
