Nest predators affect spatial dynamics of breeding red-backed shrikes (Lanius collurio)

Predation may be a strong selective factor affecting individual behaviour and life histories. However, few studies have investigated whether predators affect breeding habitat selection of prey species. We tested whether breeding habitat selection and reproduction of a tropical migrant, the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio L.), was related to the presence of breeding pairs of its potential nest predators, magpie (Pica pica L.), hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix L.) and jackdaw (C. monedula L.). Only magpie and hooded crow territories were associated with an elevated risk of predation based on an artificial nest experiment with nests mimicking red-backed shrike nests. Predation risk on real red-backed shrike nests was also higher close to nests of hooded crow and magpie than elsewhere in the landscape.

Staffan Roos and Tomas Part, Journal of Animal Ecology (2004) 73, 117-127