Does nest-site selection influence bobwhite nesting success in south Florida?

Context. Nest-site selection can influence nesting success, and thus population dynamics, of many species of ground-nesting birds. Despite the economic importance as a game species, populations of northern bobwhites have been declining throughout the southern United States. This paper reports the nesting ecology of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) on Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, Florida, USA, and illustrates the influence of landscape composition and structure on bobwhite nest-site selection and nest fate. Aim. To investigate nest-site selection by bobwhites, to evaluate the influence of landscape composition and structure on nest-site selection, and to identify factors influencing nesting success. Methods. We used distance-based habitat-selection methods and logistic regression to test for nest-site selection and to investigate the influence of landscape characteristics on nesting success. Key results. Bobwhites preferred to establish nests closer to food plots and farther away from water bodies than expected; other habitats were neither preferred nor avoided. Nesting success did not vary across years, differ among habitats or among burn treatments, and none of the habitat and landscape variables we measured significantly influenced the probability that a nest would be successful. Conclusions. Bobwhites preferred to place nests closer to food plots. However, habitat features of nest sites did not influence bobwhite nesting success. These results may indicate that random nest predation by meso-mammalian predators may currently determine fates of bobwhite nests in south Florida, or that population density is low enough that only suitable nesting sites are occupied. Implications. Our results suggest that increasing the density of linear food plots, and maintaining a structurally diverse pine-palmetto and dry prairie habitat that provides adequate nesting cover could contribute to augmenting bobwhite nesting habitat.