We provide a detailed breeding biology account for the Grey-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) and a comparison of the reproductive life history of tropical and temperate wrens using literature data. We conducted this study at Yacambú National Park in Venezuela from 2002 to 2008. Clutch size was 1.99 (SE 0.01) and fresh egg mass was 2.35 g (0.02). Females incubated the eggs for 19.74 d (0.37), and nestlings left nests at 17.37 d (0.18). Nest attentiveness (percent time spent on the nest) increased across the incubation period while brooding attentiveness decreased as nestlings aged. Brooding effort began with similar attentiveness as at the end of incubation. Food provisioning rate and feeding rate per nestling increased as nestlings aged. Growth rates (K) based on mass, tarsus, and wing chord were relatively slow at 0.375, 0.246, and 0.257, respectively. The nesting season extended from mid-March to late June for 7 years and the average nesting season length was 64.5 d (3.68) with a median of May 4. Nest success was 22%. Nest predation was the cause of 77% of nest failures with a total daily predation rate of 0.030 (0.002). Results obtained from the literature demonstrated that tropical wrens averaged smaller clutch sizes and longer incubation periods than relatives in the temperate region.

Differences in habitat associations or responses to environmental stressors among broadly co-distributed species can result in local variation in community composition. As a result, ongoing environmental change may drive shifts in community composition, especially at range peripheries. In the present study, we describe regional variation in avian community composition at the southern extent of the boreal zone. Boreal bird communities are disproportionally influenced by ongoing climate change and contain several declining species. Here we observe the habitat associations for 13 boreal bird species, and assess the link between species' habitat associations and community composition. We conducted standardized point counts at 20 boreal forest sites in northeastern United States and Canada, and quantified the vegetation structure and composition as well as the climate at each site. We found large variation in the habitat associations among co-distributed boreal birds, both in terms of the specific variables important for each species and in the breadth of habitat types occupied. These findings suggest that species within this community will vary in their responses to environmental change, potentially resulting in changes to the boreal avian community.

The Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) is a widespread and relatively common high-elevation hummingbird in the tropical Andes. Despite this, there is no comprehensive record of its natural history. In this study we present our findings on the diet and territorial behavior of Shining Sunbeam at sites in Peru and Ecuador. Using radio telemetry to track and observe individuals, we examined territory size and vegetation characteristics, activity budgets, diet composition, and territorial aggression. We found that average territory size was 0.13 ha (SD 0.05) with 100% minimum convex polygon estimation and 0.19 ha (SD 0.06) with 95% kernel density estimation. We found high variation in territory sizes, which was not explained by locality, year of data collection, or flower density. The diet of the Shining Sunbeam within our study sites was composed primarily of nectar from flowers of the tree Oreocallis grandiflora (Proteaceae), which comprised 93% (SD 9) of all nectar feeding events in Peru and 99% (SD 1) in Ecuador. Other flowering plant resources included Brachyotum, Centropogon, Fuchsia, Gaultheria, and Macleania. Insects made up 7% (SD 4) and 3% (SD 1) of observed foraging events of A. cupripennis in Ecuador and Peru, respectively. Mean activity budgets across individual birds were 68% (SD 16) perching, 28% (SD 15) foraging, 3% (SD 3) in aggressive behavior, and 2% (SD 1) in nonaggressive flight. Of the observed aggressive interactions, the majority were directed toward other hummingbirds (77% in Ecuador and 84% in Peru). When only considering interactions with hummingbirds, most aggression was intraspecific in Ecuador (71%) but interspecific in Peru (95%). We observed aggressive behavior directed toward other common, non-hummingbird nectarivores, such as Diglossa flowerpiercers, while aggression directed toward non-nectarivores was rare. Our results highlight the need for comparative studies to better understand hummingbird foraging and territorial behavior in the Andes, and the utility of radio telemetry for studying larger hummingbird species like the Shining Sunbeam.

We provide information on all birds known to date at Ypetĩ Private Nature Reserve and Estancia Golondrina. We reviewed all ornithological records from 1997 to 2017, totaling 348 bird species for the area. Habitat preferences and relative abundance for each species are detailed. The avifauna of Ypetĩ is composed of 58 Atlantic Forest endemics. At least 4 species are threatened and 9 are near-threatened, including Celeus galeatus, Amazona vinacea, and Pteroglossus bailloni. Brief comments are provided on the records of each of these species. The avifauna of the reserve is fourth in terms of species richness in the Atlantic Forest domain of Paraguay, and sixth in presence of endemics to this threatened biome.

Riparian zones in the semi-arid West are disproportionately important habitats for both breeding birds and agricultural operations. Despite growing interest in studying avian–habitat relationships to inform land management decisions, few studies have described temporal changes in riparian bird communities. We compared indices of avian abundance and diversity from 3 streamside vegetation associations in east-central Oregon during May–June 2014 with indices from 1993–1994. Our objectives were to identify patterns of change in the avian community with a focus on riparian shrub-dependent species, re-examine previously reported relationships between avian abundance and vegetation volume, and identify possible causes of declines in bird abundance and diversity. We combined historical field protocols to survey birds and measure riparian vegetation with modern analytical techniques. We found few differences in species richness between study periods but documented approximately 30% species turnover. Increases in diversity were driven by increased detections of grassland and wetland bird species and increased evenness due to precipitous declines in detections for 2 of 3 riparian shrub–dependent focal species (i.e., Yellow Warbler [Setophaga petechia] and Willow Flycatcher [Empidonax traillii]). Detections of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), our third focal species, declined by a smaller margin. Large changes in detections of riparian shrub–dependent species did not reflect trends in mesic shrub cover or volume, which had been identified as likely drivers of obligate species abundance. Focal species' declines reflected regional Breeding Bird Survey trends, corroborating our finding that their declines were not a result of changes in local site conditions. Our findings suggest that managing lands to increase wetness and extent of riparian zones can be beneficial for grassland and wetland bird species. However, managing for riparian shrub cover or volume, important metrics of grazing intensity and riparian system health, may be insufficient to conserve riparian shrub–dependent birds because other unidentified local and/or regional factors are likely contributing to habitat suitability of riparian shrub–dependent birds.

We collected data from 10 caves (3 sites) in the North and Middle Andaman Islands to determine the spatiotemporal changes in the roosting pattern of the Andaman populations of Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus inexpectatus). This echolocating diurnal aerial forager showed temporal variation in its round-the-clock entry and exit patterns. With spatiotemporal variations (site-wise, cave-wise, hourly, and monthly), more than 98% of birds returned daily to the roosting caves between 1700 h and 2000 h. However, their daily departure time (between 0400 h and 0700 h) did not vary spatially (site-wise and cave-wise). The movements of birds at the cave openings were higher during the nestling period in April and May. The daily roosting period inside the caves (mean 525.20 min; SD 82.98) also showed spatiotemporal variation. Day length affected movement of the birds before and after sunset and sunrise. We conclude that roosting movement of the Andaman Edible-nest Swiftlet varied spatiotemporally in the Andaman Islands. This first detailed description of such variation in the roosting patterns of the species will stimulate further exploration of the various biological and environmental factors affecting movements of this cave-dwelling endemic.

We determined the effect of the seasonal distribution of summer rainfall and associated seasonal changes in vegetation on the timing of reproduction and reproductive success of the Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) in the plains of central Sonora, Mexico, and influence of exotic buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare). We monitored 302 nests twice weekly from early July to early October of 2012–2014. We fitted Bayesian logistic-exposure models for nest survival data using covariables year, nest stage, date, normalized difference vegetation index, shrub cover, buffelgrass cover, and nest height. Mean daily nest survival probability equaled 95.9% (95% CRI 95.1%–96.1%), with nest survival probability averaging 36.3% (95% CRI 30.2%–42.5%) during the nesting season.We found evidence that daily nest survival probability differed between nest stages but variation in environmental explanatory variables among nests did not explain variation in daily nest survival probability, despite suggestive evidence of a positive association between NDVI and daily nest survival probability. Daily nest survival probability seemed unaffected by the habitat alteration in buffelgrass prairies, suggesting that the Rufous-winged Sparrow may be resilient to habitat transformation in the center of its distribution.

We quantified Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) site fidelity and apparent survival across a 6 year period in an area undergoing shale gas development.Waterthrush initially exhibited high site fidelity that declined over time. At the same time, the number of unpaired males defending territories increased as did natal fidelity. We identified site fidelity factors that influenced if adult males and females returned. More males returned either due to or regardless of amount of shale gas disturbance and lower riparian habitat quality. Females were less likely to return with increased number of breeding attempts. Females in shale gas disturbed areas had a higher number of breeding attempts and lower individual productivity. We saw a general nonsignificant trend in declining apparent survival over time. Overall apparent survival estimates for adult males (0.56) and females (0.44) were similar to those reported for other populations. Apparent survival candidate models suggested weak, positive relationships of increased survival with shale gas territory disturbance, disturbance with year, and year for adult males, and a positive relationship of increased survival with hydraulic fracturing runoff for adult females although regression coefficients overlapped zero for all model-supported covariates implying no statistical significance. Since waterthrush can maintain pair bonds from the previous year and females must pick a nest site within the defended male's territory, there are potential conflicts between factors that influence adult survival and site fidelity that may affect long-term population persistence. Our study adds to previous evidence that shale gas disturbed areas may serve as sink habitats.

A long-term study of annual survival, longevity, and site fidelity in the eastern coastal population of the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) during the breeding season was conducted from 1999 through 2018 in the outer coastal plain of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Painted Buntings were uniquely color-banded from 1999 through 2003 at 40 study sites paired at 20 locations from southeastern NC south to northeastern FL. Survival analysis used capture histories through 2005 for 994 birds banded as hatch-year and 2,420 birds banded as post-hatch-year (adults). Annual estimates of apparent survival (1999-2004) averaged 0.71 and 0.66 for adult males and females, respectively, and 0.33 for hatch-year birds. We did not find evidence that survival differed in relation to latitude or extent of human development near study sites, although estimates for adult females were higher for birds banded on sheltered islands compared to the mainland. Expected time in the population, based on estimated survival, was 3.9 and 3.4 years for adult males and females, respectively. The oldest observed birds were a 14-year-old male observed in June 2016 at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, GA, the site at which he had been banded in July 2003 as a second-year bird, and a 13-year-old male seen at Ft. George Island, FL, in June 2016, 2 km across a tidal estuary from the site where the bird was banded in August 2003 as hatch-year. The males were sighted at these 2 sites in 9 and 11 different years, respectively. Overall, 78% (males) and 81% (females) of resightings and recaptures of birds banded as adults occurred at the same study site where individuals were banded, compared to 59% (males) and 60% (females) of birds banded as hatch-year. Known mortalities of banded buntings included 9 birds trapped for the caged-bird trade. This study shows the potential for high survival and longevity in the eastern coastal population of the Painted Bunting, and given evidence of high site fidelity in the breeding range, the vulnerability of the population to human development along the southeastern US coast as well as to illegal trapping.

The American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) is a bird of prey that predominantly feeds on small mammals by swallowing them whole; the undigested parts are regurgitated in pellets. This study aimed to characterize the diet of the American Barn Owl in a lowland Atlantic Forest remnant in southeastern Brazil by analyzing the material contained in pellets. Prey items were quantified by counting the number of skulls or paired bones in each pellet, and the ages of the mammals (rodents) found as prey were classified based on the pattern of wear of the occlusal surface of the molars. For invertebrates, we counted the number of heads or hind legs. We analyzed 48 pellets and each one contained 1–7 depredated individuals (mean= 4.0). Two major groups of food items were identified (192 specimens in total): mammals (Mus musculus [n=179 specimens, or 93.2% of prey items; FO = 100%], Rattus rattus [n = 2, or 1.0%; FO= 4.2%], and Carollia sp. [n = 1, or 0.5%; FO= 2.1%]) and insects (n=8 samples; FO=16.7%: Orthoptera [n=6 specimens, or 3.1%; FO=12.5%], Lepidoptera [n=2, or 1.0%; FO=4.2%], and Hymenoptera [n=2, or 1.0%, FO=4.2%]). For the exotic rodent M. musculus, 142 right mandibular branches were identified, of which 8.5% were classified as Pup (n = 12 individuals), 57.0% as Adult I (n = 81), 19.0% as Adult II (n = 27), and 15.5% as Senior (n = 22). The results corroborate similarities in the diet and feeding behavior of T. furcata throughout its distribution in the Americas and with T. alba. Tyto furcata, although generally a rodent specialist, has an opportunistic foraging strategy and may respond to prey availability, possibly acting as a natural biological control agent of agricultural pests such as exotic rodents. Further studies are recommended to assess whether seasonality influences the frequency at which nonnative prey are consumed by T. furcata.

Nestlings of some aerial insectivores experience pre-fledging mass recession, possibly to achieve optimum wing loading at fledging. However, studies to date where mass recession was linked to wing loading at fledging have been limited to 2 species of swifts (Apodidae), and additional studies are needed to determine if factors contributing to prefledging mass recession vary among species. We examined factors contributing to pre-fledging mass recession by nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). During the 2015 breeding season in Kentucky, nestling Tree Swallows in 29 broods were divided into half-weighted, full-weighted, and control treatment groups. Lead weights weighing either 2.5% (0.6 g) or 5% (1.2 g) of nestling mass were glued to the back feathers of half-weighted and full-weighted nestlings, respectively, between 9 and 11 days post-hatching. Video recordings were used to monitor provisioning and begging behavior. Treatment groups did not differ in mass at fledging, amount of mass lost, or wing loading at fledging, and adult provisioning rates and time spent begging by nestlings did not vary from day 11 to day 19 post-hatching. Thus, mass loss by nestling Tree Swallows prior to fledging was not due to changes in either parental or nestling behavior, but likely resulted from loss of water from maturing feathers and other tissues. In contrast, studies of 2 species of swifts (Apodidae) revealed that changes in nestling behavior influenced pre-fledging mass recession, with weighted nestlings losing more mass than control nestlings, apparently to optimize wing loading at fledging. This difference between swifts and Tree Swallows may be due to differences in the duration of nestling periods (longer for swifts) and wing loading (higher in swifts). With greater wing loading, optimum mass at fledging may be more critical for swifts than Tree Swallows.

Beak abnormalities have been reported in a wide range of species but typically affect only a small portion (<1%) of wild bird populations. Most research has focused on the prevalence, morphology, and causes of beak deformities, resulting in relatively little information on the consequences of these deformities for individual birds. Birds with abnormal beaks likely struggle to feed themselves, a situation that can only be exacerbated during the breeding season when they must provide food for not only themselves but also their offspring. We captured a female House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) with abnormal mandibles during the 2016 breeding season. The female was lighter and smaller than normal, and her clutch size smaller and incubation and nestling periods slightly longer than normal. Using video recordings at the nest, we found that early in the nestling period the female's provisioning rate was lower and her time spent brooding greater than normal, yet she succeeded in rearing a brood, albeit smaller in number than average. We conclude that the female's abnormal beak was a severe handicap negatively affecting both her condition and her provisioning ability; however, it did not preclude her from raising a brood of nestlings.

Heat is generated by the body volume and lost across its surface. Therefore larger homeotherms with their proportionately larger volume and smaller surface area will withstand cold better than small homeotherms, which has been addressed in some basic ecological principles. Bergmann's Rule indicates that organisms at higher latitudes (and therefore lower temperatures) will be larger than those at lower latitudes, and Allen's Rule indicates that appendage size is generally smaller in cooler temperatures. Both Bergmann's and Allen's rules relate body size to latitude and/or temperature, but environmental temperature also changes with altitude. We tested the possible relationship between body size and altitude in Rufous-collared Sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis), which are abundant and range from sea level to the snow line in the Andes in a narrow latitudinal range in Peru. Due to the range of temperatures, we expected a similar change in body size with altitude as described for latitude by Bergmann's Rule and decreased appendage size at higher altitudes, consistent with Allen's Rule. To estimate the change in size, we measured the tarsometatarsus and took the weight of 198 museum specimens from the Peruvian Andes. Our results supported Bergmann's Rule: an ANCOVA demonstrated that tarsometatarsus length increased significantly with altitude, but did not differ significantly between males and females, nor was there an interaction between sex and altitude. However, we did not find support for Allen's Rule because a similar analysis of the ratio of tarsometatarsus to body mass did not yield any significant relationships. Thus, while the size of birds may be affected by altitude, and thus temperature, size is also affected by other competing selective pressures.

Yuma Ridgway's Rails (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) are federally endangered birds endemic to wetlands throughout the Lower Colorado River Basin in Nevada, California, Arizona, and Mexico. The U.S. population has declined in recent years for unknown reasons. We documented a novel and severe chigger mite infestation in the Yuma Ridgway's Rails in southwestern Arizona in 2017. Prevalence of the infestation was spatially heterogeneous: 92% (48 of 52) of the Yuma Ridgway's Rails that we captured at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge were infested, whereas only 11% (2 of 18) of the Yuma Ridgway's Rails at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge were chigger infested. We know little about the origin of this infestation or the impacts of the parasites on the behavior and fitness of Yuma Ridgway's Rails. However, ectoparasite infestations in other species have caused population declines and the intensity and novelty of this ectoparasite infestation, combined with population status of this species, warrants immediate attention to this issue and further study of these ectoparasites.

Ornithologists have long been fascinated by an apparent disjunction in the breeding distribution of the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), with previous studies reporting a 550 km gap between a coastal population along the south Atlantic and an interior population in the southcentral United States. However, these studies have overlooked breeders in the Black Belt Ecoregion of central Alabama and eastern Mississippi. Using data from our own fieldwork, the North American Breeding Bird Survey, eBird, and breeding bird atlas projects, we document that the Painted Bunting occurs within the gap described in previous publications. The presence of these birds raises further questions regarding the status of the Painted Bunting in the Southeast and may be relevant to future research and conservation efforts targeting this species.

Populations of Leach's Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) are in decline globally, but causes of these declines are unclear. One possibility is predation at breeding colonies. To estimate effects of one pair of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) on a Leach's Storm-Petrel colony, we analyzed owl pellets collected from Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, over 5 consecutive breeding seasons (2011–2015). Great Horned Owl diets were mainly Leach's Storm-Petrels by number (79%) and by mass (66%). Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), and masked shrews (Sorex cinereus) completed the diet. This is, to our knowledge, one of the most specialized diets reported for this species of owl. We estimate that this specialized diet reduced by at most 1% annually the population of Leach's Storm-Petrels on this island.

The southern capuchino seedeaters constitute a rapid radiation of finch-like birds that inhabit Neotropical grasslands in continental South America. While capuchinos are highly sympatric, the mechanisms allowing them to breed in sympatry, such as patterns of microhabitat use, remain largely unknown. We provide the first nesting account of the Iberá Seedeater (Sporophila iberaensis), a recently discovered capuchino species that breeds exclusively in the Iberá wetlands of northeastern Argentina, and compare its nesting habits to those of other members of the capuchino radiation. From November 2016 to January 2017, we located and monitored 25 Iberá Seedeater nests. The Iberá Seedeater constructs open-cup nests in clumps of grass on the margins of flooded habitat and lays an average of 2 eggs per clutch. Like other capuchino species, females participate in nest construction and incubation, while both sexes provision offspring. Despite similarities in nest architecture, the Iberá Seedeater differs in nesting habitat from the Tawny-bellied Seedeater (S. hypoxantha), its most abundant congener, and other members of the radiation. Many capuchino species, including the Iberá Seedeater, have been classified as endangered or threatened because of habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. Further information on the breeding biology and habitat requirements of capuchinos will provide insight into the mechanisms that maintain their coexistence in sympatry and inform conservation efforts to protect this enigmatic group.

Hybridization events have long interested biologists because of their implications for species concepts and taxonomy. Documenting hybridization events is important because hybridization rates are commonly used as support for accepted taxonomic divisions. In July 2017, we observed a nest where a male Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) and a female Blackthroated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) were feeding nestlings. The Cerulean Warbler and Blackthroated Blue Warbler communicated with each other using song (male) and calls (female), similar to a nonhybrid pair of either parent species, and the pair was not observed to engage in aggressive behaviors toward each other. Interestingly, the Black-throated Blue Warbler is not known to breed in Indiana, although it is a regular migrant in the spring and fall. We describe the behaviors of the hybrid pair at the nest, provide photographs and audio recordings for documentation, and hypothesize that this instance of hybrid pairing may have occurred due to mate scarcity.

Natural catastrophes are known to impact wildlife populations, however opportunities to directly measure the demographic effects associated with such events are rare. Given the projected increase in severe storms due to climate change, understanding how these weather events influence small wildlife populations will become increasingly important for conservation. During the spring 2017 nesting season, we observed a severe localized hailstorm that afforded us an opportunity to measure the immediate demographic effects on a small breeding aggregation of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera). The hailstorm produced approximately 2.5 cm diameter hail and apparently caused the failure of 89% (8/9) of monitored Golden-winged Warbler nests in a patch of early-successional forest in north-central Pennsylvania. Seven of the 8 failed nests contained broken eggs and all nests at the site showed signs of nest cup damage. Two dead Goldenwinged Warbler females were found within 0.5 m of their nests. We suspect that additional mortalities of female and male Golden-winged Warblers occurred because several thorough searches of the early-successional patch revealed little territorial or renesting behavior in the following weeks. We noted hail-caused vegetation damage across the site characterized by varying levels of defoliation and destruction to herbaceous vegetation, Rubus, and even saplings and canopy trees. Storm events such as the one described here are well known to cause mortality in grassland species; however, events that result in forest-dependent passerine mortality are notably less common. We consider here the potential longterm implications of extreme weather events on bird populations, particularly those of conservation concern.

A unique foraging behavior of the Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) was observed in south Florida on 4 June 2016. A Great White Heron was observed foraging in a marina using a stick as an artificial lure to attract prey. While wading in shallow water, the heron used its bill to drop sticks (10–15 cm in length) into the water, followed quickly by the heron striking the water near the stick. The Great White Heron was not observed capturing prey while using this technique; however, a plausible explanation for this behavior is prey attraction as the heron was actively foraging without a lure prior to the bait-fishing behavior. This first recorded use of artificial lures by a Great White Heron individual supports the welldocumented flexibility in prey use and foraging behavior by the species, Ardea herodias.

Animal space-use patterns can vary widely with age, sex, and stage of the annual cycle, but the factors that drive pattern shifts are poorly understood. Here, we provide preliminary evidence that mating strategy (i.e., polygamy) influences movements of parents attending recently fledged young. We monitored the space use during the post-fledging period for Vermivora spp. broods led by a male and female with a split brood in 2014 and the same male with 2 fledglings in 2015. We observed contextand sex-specific space-use patterns that seemed to be driven by the male's attention to a secondary polygamous nest in 2014. When attending his secondary nest, the male restricted his primary brood's movements to within the nesting habitat close to his secondary nest until the nest failed. This pattern was distinct from movements of both the 2014 female and the same male in 2015 when he lacked a secondary nest. These observations may explain some reports from other studies that female-led broods disperse farther than male-led broods. Future work should explicitly consider the potential impacts of facultative polygamy on post-fledging space use, especially in species traditionally considered monogamous.

The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a medium-sized wading bird found in peninsular Florida and Central and South America, whose distribution is strongly tied to the presence of apple snails (genus Pomacea). Historically, Limpkins have been infrequently observed in the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) watershed, including Lake Seminole, the most downstream reservoir in the system. In the past decade in Lake Seminole, a rapid increase in the nonnative P. maculata has been documented. In 2016, a Limpkin was observed in the lake, and we made efforts to document all subsequent Limpkin observations there. In the following year, we observed Limpkins (including several mating pairs) each month from February to July 2017. Limpkins were only observed in the Flint River section of the reservoir, the same area where the greatest abundance of P. maculata has been documented. We hypothesize the rapid increase of P. maculata is responsible for the recent regular Limpkin observations at the lake because observations of Limpkins prior to the recent expansion of P. maculata were rare and infrequent. Apple snails are likely to expand within the southeastern United States in the future, thereby creating additional suitable habitat for Limpkins and other specialist avian predators of apple snails.

We report an observation of a juvenile Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) on the north slope of Pico de Orizaba, the highest mountain in Mexico. To our knowledge, this is the southernmost record of the species. Furthermore, our observation is possibly the highest recorded elevation for the species.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) are insectivores that consume mainly insects found within trees but may also feed on seeds and small vertebrates. On rare, isolated occasions, Red-bellied Woodpeckers opportunistically scavenge carcasses or carrion. Here we document the first recorded instances of repeated and sustained visits by Red-bellied Woodpeckers to a deer carcass presumably for the supplementation of diet via scavenging. Between December 2016 and March 2017, a tree-mounted, motion sensor trail camera directed toward a deer carcass, on a site in Winona, Minnesota, captured 1,815 photos of Red-bellied Woodpeckers from 381 separate visits. We analyzed the photos to determine if time of day or month affected the frequency of pictures of Red-bellied Woodpeckers at the carcass. The timing of Red-bellied Woodpecker visits was not uniformly distributed with more pictures being taken during the middle of the day; however, the frequency of photographs did not differ by survey month. Results of this study are useful for expanding our understanding of Red-bellied Woodpecker diets and the role that scavenging may play in diet supplementation during winter.

Orb-weaver spiders weave large webs that are capable of entrapping various species of birds. We report a case of a male Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) caught in the web of a giant lichen orb-weaver (Araneus bicentenarius). Most cases of bird entrapment in spider webs involve spiders with larger webs (often Nephila sp.) and very small birds, usually hummingbirds. Our case is noteworthy because we report a relatively large bird caught in a relatively small web. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of A. bicentenarius extends beyond the tropics and subtropics, which is where most reported cases of bird entrapment occur. This observation suggests that even small orb-weaver webs may pose a threat to relatively large birds, and that this risk may extend well beyond the regions most commonly associated with entrapment.

We report the case of a Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis) chick injured by a Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) during the breeding season of 2013 in the La Malinche National Park in Mexico. On 17 May, a pair of owls was nesting in a mature Pinus montezumae with one owlet between 14 and 21 d old. On 21 May a flicker began to use the same cavity, apparently preparing the interior for nesting; on 27 May the owlet showed injuries that might have caused its death later, in early June.

I describe a White-banded Swallow (Atticora fasciata) diving under water to avoid predation by a Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis) in Madre de Dios River, Peru. On 3 September 2006 I observed a White-banded Swallow plunge-diving under water for a distance of ~30 cm (6 times) with ∼1 m flights close to the water surface in between (5 times) before reaching a safe spot on the river bank.

The materials used for nesting have important structural and nonstructural functions in bird nests. A number of bird species incorporate anthropogenic debris in their nests, but there are few systematic studies about such use by terrestrial birds. Here, we test whether the prevalence and amount of plastic twine differs among nests of Neotropical birds in an orange orchard. We found 78 nests, of which 21 (27%) contained plastic. The nests with plastic belonged to 5 species (Columbina talpacoti, Thamnophilus doliatus, Turdus amaurochalinus, Coryphospingus cucullatus, and Zonotrichia capensis), which differed by both the prevalence and amount of plastic in their nests. The prevalence of plastic was higher in T. doliatus nests than in Z. capensis nests, and the amount of plastic was greater in T. doliatus nests than in those of C. cucullatus and of Z. capensis. Our results suggest that the use of anthropogenic material in nest construction may depend on the suitability of its properties to specific nest characteristics.