Keywords :
Nest predation,
Nest predators,
Open-cavity nests,
Tropical birds
บทคัดย่อ :
Nest predators are responsible for the majority of reproductive failures in birds in multiple habitats
globally. Snakes are likely one of the main nest predators, but few studies have focused on snake nest predation
patterns in the tropics where the diversity of snakes and nesting birds is highest. Here we examined nest predation
patterns of the bridle snake (Lycodon cf. davisonii), a poorly known species, but potentially a major nest predator of
understorey nesting birds in Asian tropical evergreen forests. In an ongoing, long-term study of nest survival in a dry
evergreen forest in northern Thailand, we monitored 478 natural nests of 23 bird species during breeding seasons of
2013-2019 with video cameras placed near active nests to assess nest predator species and their predation activities.
We documented 308 predation events from 15 species of nest predators. Bridle snake was the third most important
nest predator accounting for 13% of all predation events; it was exclusively nocturnal and preyed solely on eggs.
Bridle snakes, unlike the other four top nest predators in our system, which were likely generalists, appeared to
prefer open-cavity nests relative to other nest types, and was responsible for > 45% of nest failures of open-cavity
nesting birds. This preference of the bridle snake is likely to influence nest survival rates of open-cavity nesting
birds. Thus, further study of the factors influencing its predation behaviours and activity patterns, particularly its
response to human disturbance, could be useful for the management of tropical forest birds.
เอกสารอ้างอิง :
Khamcha, D., & Gale, G. A. (2020). Predation behaviour of the bridle snake (Lycodon cf. davisonii) on Asian tropical evergreen forest bird nests. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 68.
