Patterns of nest attendance by female Greater Prairie-Chickens ( Tympanuchus cupido) in northcentral Kansas

摘要: Nest attendance behavior is a critical component of avian ecology that influences nest survival and population productivity. Birds provide uniparental care during incubation brood-rearing must balance the benefit reproductive success with costs physiological needs predation risk. We used miniature cameras to record 5904 h video footage at 33 nests Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) 2010 2011 in northcentral Kansas. quantified timing duration bouts address alternative hypotheses about requirements risk as drivers behavior. also identified predators determined events, tested for effects monitoring technique on (video vs. telemetry). Female prairie chickens exhibited high constancy per day (~95 %) typically took two ~40-min recesses day: one after sunrise before sunset. Mesocarnivores were responsible 75 % (18 24) losses, most events occurred crepuscular or overnight hours. Controlled comparisons provided no evidence surveillance attracted nests. Variation had minimal effect compared height vegetative cover site. Timing did not indicate avoidance predator activity our study system. The bimodal pattern breaks observed grouse species likely driven by female rather than pressure. appear prioritize their metabolic future potential over current survival.