Integrating methods to determine breeding and nesting status of 3 western songbirds

Determining reproductive success in birds is important to understand popula tion dynamics, habitat quality, and features necessary for breeding. We inc orporated behavioral observations, nest monitoring, and a reproductive inde x (Vickery et at. 1992a) to: 1)categorize breeding status (breeders and non breeders) of painted redstarts (Myioborus pictus), plumbeous vireos (Vireo plumbeus), and western wood-pewees (Contopus sordidulus); 2) locate their n ests; 3) monitor nest status; and 4) determine nest success and parasitism rates in 14 canyons of the Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains, Arizona durin g 1994-1995. We located 256 nests along 41.4 km of creek and correctly pred icted the reproductive state of breeding birds on 61-79% of the visits with out having to check nests. Nest success ranged from 35 to 52%, and parasiti sm rates were 25% for painted redstart and 40% for plumbeous vireo. Integra tion of multiple methods allowed us to concentrate on breeding status of sp ecific species over large areas while reducing nest visits and still obtain ing information on nest location, breeding status, and nesting success. The predictive ability of the reproductive index in a forested system will inc rease knowledge of breeding status of birds such as cavity nesters, whose n ests cannot be checked readily, rare species, and other bird species that a re sensitive to disturbance.