Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) nest phenology influenced by drought on nonbreeding grounds
Authors/Creators
- 1. New Mexico State University
- 2. Colorado State University
- 3. EBSCO Industries (United States)
- 4. United States Fish and Wildlife Service
- 5. US Forest Service
- 6. University of Nebraska System
Description
Migratory birds are demonstrating changes in phenology linked to climate change. Understanding these changes requires connecting events that occur over the multiple regions occupied during their annual cycle. The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a species of concern in North America, with pronounced declines in regions of the Great Plains. Using a dataset that spanned ten breeding sites from South Dakota to northern Mexico in various years during 1989-2017, we observed both advances and delays in nesting along with increasing variation in nest initiation dates. We examined the effects of a large-scale climate system (El Niño Southern Oscillation), drought, and local weather patterns throughout the annual cycle as potential predictors of early and late nesting. Moisture conditions during the winter and spring migratory period had the greatest influence on nest phenology. Years with more intense drought on winter and migratory grounds increased the probability of nests initiating late relative to early. Correspondingly, wet conditions were associated with an increased probability of early nest initiation. Drought likely has cascading ecological effects that negatively influence food abundance for Burrowing Owls, resulting in delays in the ability of individuals to meet energetic demands required for migration. How climate change will impact Burrowing Owl phenology is important considering a projected increase in magnitude and frequency of drought and declining owl population trends.
Notes
The second tab of the excel file has the code description for each heading across the datafile
Funding provided by: USDA National Institute of Food and Agricuture, Hispanic Serving Institutions
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Award Number: 2011--2670
Funding provided by: USDA National Institute of Food and Agricuture, Hispanic Serving Institutions
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Award Number: 2015-38422
Funding provided by: USDA National Institute of Food and Agricuture, Managed Ecosystem Program
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Award Number: 2008-00771
Funding provided by: Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico State University
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011499
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Funding provided by: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
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Funding provided by: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010229
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Funding provided by: U.S. Forest Service
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100006959
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Funding provided by: US Department of Defense
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000005
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Funding provided by: City of Las Cruces
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Funding provided by: Wildcat Hills Audubon Society
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Funding provided by: Sigma Xi
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011084
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Funding provided by: University of Nebraska
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Funding provided by: New Mexico Ornithological Society
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Funding provided by: Turner Armendaris Ranch
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Funding provided by: T& E Inc
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Funding provided by: Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100016215
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