Potential impact of mammalian nest predators on endemic forest birds of western Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Author:

Amarasekare, Priyanga

Title:

Potential impact of mammalian nest predators on endemic forest birds of western Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Periodical:

Conservation Biology

Year:

1993

Volume:

7

Pages:

316-324

Subject:

Palila Loxioides bailleui Predatory animals Mammalian predation Feral cats Endangered species birds Nest predators Rats Rattus rattus

Summary:

The author investigated the role of nest predation by introduced mammals using dummy nest experiments, which is a significant limiting factor for the endangered Palila (Loxioides bailleui) and other endemic birds on the western slope of Mauna Kea. Overall predation rates on dummy nests were comparable to those on actual Palila nests. The black rat (Rattus rattus) was the only important predator. Feral cats (Felis catus) played only a minor role, and there was no evidence to implicate house mice (Mus musculus) as nest predators. The low nest predation rates may be due to these factors: (1) only back rat is involved; (2) rat densities are extremely low on Mauna Kea; (3) low prey (nest) densities, and (4) rats have alternative foods that are more abundant and accessible.

Label:

Birds - General

URL:

http://cletus.uhh.hawaii.edu:2075/stable/2386429

Date:

1993

Collection:

Periodicals