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Higher nest predation risk in association with a top predator: mesopredator attraction?

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Abstract

Breeding close to top predators is a widespread reproductive strategy. Breeding animals may gain indirect benefits if proximity to top predators results in a reduction of predation due to suppression of mesopredators. We tested if passerine birds gain protection from mesopredators by nesting within territories of a top predator, the Ural owl (Strix uralensis). We placed nest boxes for pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) in Ural owl nest sites and in control sites (currently unoccupied by owls). The nest boxes were designed so that nest predation risk could be altered (experimentally increased) after flycatcher settlement; we considered predation rate as a proxy of mesopredator abundance. Overall, we found higher nest predation rates in treatment than in control sites. Flycatcher laying date did not differ between sites, but smaller clutches were laid in treatment sites compared to controls, suggesting a response to perceived predation risk. Relative nest predation rate varied between years, being higher in owl nest sites in 2 years but similar in another; this variation might be indirectly influenced by vole abundance. Proximity to Ural owl nests might represent a risky habitat for passerines. High predation rates within owl territories could be because small mesopredators that do not directly threaten owl nests are attracted to owl nest sites. This could be explained if some mesopredators use owl territories to gain protection from their own predators, or if top predators and mesopredators independently seek similar habitats.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Mari Laine, Eric Le Tortorec, Jorma Nurmi, Stefan Siivonen, Rauno Varjonen and Ville Vasko for extensive help with the field work. We are also grateful to Janne-Tuomas Seppänen for the help with statistical analyses and Alexandre Villers for useful comments on the manuscript. This project was supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, South Ostrobothnia Regional fund, The Turku University Foundation, the Ella and Georg Ehrnrooth foundation and the Biological Interactions Graduate School (personal grants to C.M.), the Kone foundation and Academy of Finland (Project No. 138049 to R.L.T.), and the Academy of Finland (to E.K.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland

    Chiara Morosinotto, Robert L. Thomson & Erkki Korpimäki

  2. Alakyläntie 490, 62220, Pernaa, Finland

    Mikko Hänninen

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  1. Chiara Morosinotto
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  2. Robert L. Thomson
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  3. Mikko Hänninen
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  4. Erkki Korpimäki
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Correspondence to Chiara Morosinotto.

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Communicated by Christopher Johnson.

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Morosinotto, C., Thomson, R.L., Hänninen, M. et al. Higher nest predation risk in association with a top predator: mesopredator attraction?. Oecologia 170, 507–515 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-012-2320-1

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