Consequences of Parental Care: Male and Female Eastern Bluebird Delivery of Food to Chicks India Peek Jensen: REACH Program Spring Lake High School Mentors: Dr. Kathy Winnett-Murray and Dr. Greg Fraley animals.nationalgeographic.com/.../bluebird.html

Introduction From a scientific standpoint –Parental effort is a large part of understanding how the environment influences the social and mating systems of animals. From a wildlife management standpoint –We want to know how changes in the environment are influencing the sustainability of this population through behaviors like parental care.

Background Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) –1970s-80s EB population in MI plummeted. Reproductive Habits –Typically monogamous –4-6 eggs –Primarily insectivorous J.H. Campbell Complex, Consumers Energy

Bird Composition in Nest Boxes Since

Research Questions Difference between sexes in food delivery? Do differences affect reproductive success? How is this related to nest defense?

Male and Female Eastern Bluebird MaleFemale

What I did… Behavior Observations Nest Checks

Example of Behavior Data Sheet

Wilcoxon z= , df=1, P=0.8753, no significant difference between males and females in delivery trips per minute Delivery of Food to Chicks by Male and Female

Wilcoxon z= , df=1, P= , no significant difference between male and female load sizes Proportion of Deliveries That Were Large Insects

Wilcoxon z= , df=1, P= , significant difference between males and females in brood time per minute Brood Time by Male and Female

Delivery Rates to Young and Old Chicks by Male and Female Mann Whitney U (Females)= 12.50, df=1, P=0.1227; Mann Whitney U (Males)= 33.00, df=1, P=0.2764, no significant difference between male and female delivery rates to young and old chicks

Energetic Tradeoff in Parental Care High 0 Energy available for self- maintenance, reproduction Energy spent in nest defense, vigilance Energy Spent 100 Energy Cost

Conclusion Males and females exhibit similar effort in feeding chicks, both in the number of deliveries to the nest and the relative size of those food loads. Although responsibilities may differ at different stages of chick development (e.g. brooding vs. feeding) the overall effort appears to be similar, just as in the equal effort males and females show in nest defense.

Acknowledgements REACH Program Dean of the Natural Sciences Division at Hope College, Dr. Moses Lee Mentors, Dr. Winnett-Murray and Dr. Fraley Fellow Research Students: Joel Evenhouse, Jillian Greshel, Jacquelyn Randolet, Tim Paver, Brian Puls, Joel Evenhouse Mrs. Schanhals, Spring Lake High School Consumer’s Energy