EFFECTS OF WEATHER AND LAND USE ON REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS IN A POPULATION OF EASTERN BLUEBIRDS (SIALIA SIALIS)

Weather and Land Use impact all aspects of a species’ life history. Here, I tested the hypothesis that weather (during both the winter and breeding seasons) as well as land use influence the reproductive success and growth of eastern bluebirds. Using a 14-year data set, these findings revealed that both winter- and breeding-season weather impacted nest success and nestling growth, whereas land use only predicted nest success. Winter weather was generally a better predictor of reproductive success than was breeding-season weather and patterns of precipitation were generally more important than temperature. Patterns of breeding season weather on nestling growth also changed from early to late season. Early season precipitation led to reduced growth—likely driven by reduced parental provisioning and nestling thermoregulation. Finally, I found that late season bluebirds experienced reduced nest success in territories closer to tree lines. Although eastern bluebirds are a common species, these relationships serve as a model for how avian species in the Southern Appalachian may respond to future climatic conditions.<p></p>