Cavity Nesting Birds

Dr. Hauber with a tree swallow.

Reproductive Biology of Cavity Nesting Birds Along an Urban-Rural Gradient

Dr. Mark Hauber and Javier Alvarez (MA Candidate) of the Program in Animal Behavior and Conservation, Department of Psychology, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York are conducting research on man made nest-box usage by cavity-breeding bird species (birds that make a home to breed inside a hole such as a hollow tree) throughout the City of New York and nearby rural areas.

Nesting boxes set up for research

Nesting boxes set up for research

Collecting samples from the nesting boxes

Swallow eggs found in the nesting boxes

Baby birds from the nesting boxes at Freshkills Park

Research team and staff checking the boxes

Tagging the birds

Collecting samples from the nesting boxes

At Freshkills Park, they have established and monitored a trail of 80+ nest boxes suitable for breeding by bluebirds, tree swallows, and house wrens (but not starlings). They are comparing breeding success on an annual basis with plans to formulate future conservation plans for generating breeding habitats for protected migratory birds. See more on Dr. Hauber’s website.

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