Reproductive failure of a human-tolerant species, the American kestrel, is associated with stress and human disturbance

摘要: Summary 1. The rapid increase of human activity in wild and developed areas presents novel challenges for wildlife. Some species may use human-dominated landscapes because favourable resources (e.g. high prey availability along roadsides); however, these exposure to anthropogenic stressors, such as disturbance or noise, which can negatively affect reproduction survival. In this case, act an ecological trap. 2. We evaluated whether American kestrel Falco sparverius reproductive failure was associated with (traffic conditions land development) other common predictors outcome, habitat clutch initiation date. Also, we examined relationships among disturbance, corticosterone (CORT) concentrations nest abandonment explore potential mechanisms stress-induced failure. 3. Twenty-six (36%) 73 nesting attempts failed 88% failures occurred during incubation. Kestrels higher were 99 times more likely fail than kestrels lower areas. Habitat date did not explain outcome. 4. Females had CORT abandon nests females There no relationship between male abandonment. spent time incubating males have stressors. Specifically, traffic noise a cavity-nesting bird’s perception the outside environment by masking auditory cues. response, birds perceive greater predation risk, vigilance behaviour, decrease parental care, both. 5. Synthesis applications. Proximity large, busy roads affected causing increased stress hormones that promoted These results demonstrate presence landscape does necessarily indicate tolerance Managers should carefully consider discourage projects juxtapose risk traps. Noise mitigation, while locally effective, protect widespread populations from pervasive threat noise. Innovative engineering decreases at its source is necessary.