Nelson and Hamer 



Chapters 



Nesting Biology and Behavior 



to seemingly high rates of predation (see Nelson and Hamer, 

 this volume b). Predation rates on alcid nests are often 

 higher in areas where predators have been introduced, habitat 

 has been modified, or where birds are disturbed by humans 

 (Gaston 1992; Murray and others 1983; Nettleship and 

 Birkhead 1985). 



Observations of Marbled Murrelet behavior at nest sites 

 have provided us with a wealth of new information that was 

 not available prior to 1980. Their secretive behavior, rapid 

 flights in low light levels, and the inaccessibility of many of 

 their nests, however, has limited our opportunities to study 

 many aspects of their biology. The paucity of information on 

 some aspects of Marbled Murrelet breeding biology minimJ7.es 

 the accuracy with which land managers can maintain or 

 create suitable habitat for this species. In addition, their 

 secretive behaviors limit our ability to identify nesting sites, 

 especially in stands that contain few birds. Continued research 

 on the biology, demography, and habitat selection of this 



species should be conducted, in addition to determining the 

 effects of different forest management strategies on nesting 

 success of this unique seabird. 



Acknowledgments 



We are grateful to the biologists who kindly shared their 

 data with us; special thanks go to Dave Buchholz, Dave 

 Fortna, Paul Jones, Steve Kerns, Kathy Kuletz. Nancy Naslund. 

 Bill Ritchie, and Steve and Stephanie Singer for their time 

 and generosity. We also thank Dan Anderson, Toni De Santo, 

 George Hunt, Robert Peck, and C. John Ralph for reviewing 

 earlier drafts of this manuscript. Support for preparation of 

 this manuscript was provided by the Oregon Department of 

 Fish and Wildlife, USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of 

 Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This 

 is Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station 

 Technical Paper 10,536. 



USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-152. 1995. 



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