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1 December 2009 Nest Box Temperature and Hatching Success of American Kestrels Varies with Nest Box Orientation
Michael W. Butler, Buddy A. Whitman, Alfred M. Dufty
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Abstract

We studied orientation-dependent differences in nest box microclimate and American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) reproductive parameters in Idaho, USA. Unoccupied nest boxes facing west were ∼0.6° C cooler than boxes that faced south or east and had ∼20% lower relative humidity levels than boxes facing all other cardinal directions. Clutches in occupied boxes that faced southwest had a proportionately lower chance of hatching success (12 of 21 nests were successful), defined as having at least one egg hatch, than boxes that faced northwest (9 of 9 nests) or southeast (9 of 12 nests). The possible link between orientation-dependent differences in microclimate and hatching success, and the question of whether American Kestrels may select for orientation adaptively requires further investigation.

Michael W. Butler, Buddy A. Whitman, and Alfred M. Dufty "Nest Box Temperature and Hatching Success of American Kestrels Varies with Nest Box Orientation," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121(4), 778-782, (1 December 2009). https://doi.org/10.1676/08-124.1
Received: 25 September 2008; Accepted: 1 June 2009; Published: 1 December 2009
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