Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) numbers have declined throughout the western US and are considered a species of concern in most of the eleven states that are within their range. Sage-grouse habitats have been reduced by approximately 44% since European settlement of the Western United States began (Miller et al. 2011). Loss of habitat has contributed to an average decline of sage-grouse populations by 33% across the range (Connelly and Braun 1997). To expand our knowledge of this species, I monitored 16 radio-collared sage-grouse captured from four leks in Hamlin Valley, Utah, USA in 2011 and 2012 to determine habitat use. The Hamlin Valley population was primarily one-stage migratory but non-migratory behaviors were also observed. Birds from at least one of the leks used seasonal habitats in neighboring Nevada. Sage-grouse evolved in habitats where infrastructure (e.g. vertical structures) was not common. Introduction of infrastructure, such as fences in their habitat, can cause direct mortality via collision but may also indirectly influence productivity by increasing artificial perches for avian predators (e.g. golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) , red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and common ravens (Corvus corax). This research focused on collision rates and increased potential for avian predation on two small populations on the southern portion of the range of current occupied sage-grouse habitat in southwestern vi Utah. During 2011-2012, over 450 km of fences were surveyed for signs of collision and use by avian predators during all seasons (breeding, fall migration, and winter). No sage-grouse collisions were observed suggesting that management for sage-grouse in small populations may be better focused on improving habitat and reducing other causes of mortality which may be more prevalent. Fence post width (i.e. the perching surface) was the best predictor of use as perch by avian predators. Additionally, areas farther from other natural perches, with a low density of surrounding vegetation, and fences constructed along defined habitat edges were used by avian predators more frequently. Results of this study suggest that managers should construct fences with small widths to deter avian predators and care should be taken to maintain contiguous vegetation on either side of the posts while maintaining low shrub density.

Aposematic species of true bugs (Heteroptera) have multimodal signalization, which warns potential predators. This signalization consists of optical (coloration), chemical (unpalatable or repugnant substance) and acoustic (stridulation) warning signals. The aim of this thesis was to test whether the selected chemical substances have antipredatory function towards avian predators. Antipredatory function is anticipated in the chemical substances that form the majority in secretion in many taxa of true bugs (aldehydes and tridecane). In experiments with wild-caught great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) we tested if chemical substances and age of birds have influence on the latency related to the first manipulation with the prey. It was found that both species of tits reacted aversively to the mixture of aldehydes (2-decenal, 2-octenal, 2-hexenal) and to the total secretion of metathoracic glands of Graphosoma lineatum, whereas the mixture of the aldehydes with tridecane did not have any effect. The effect of age was not significant. We also tested the influence of immediate experience with striated shieldbug Graphosoma lineatum on naive great tits and their reactions to the prey with olfactoric signal of the shieldbug. Additionally, we investigated whether tested chemicals cause...

The ecological importance of introduced mammalian predators is well acknowledged in New Zealand, however, little research has focused on the ecology of native avian predators and their role in communities. This study investigated the ecology of moreporks (Ninox novaeseelandiae) on Ponui Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand between August 2007 and April 2008. The primary aim was to investigate the functional response of moreporks to availability of their prey. The contents of regurgitated morepork pellets were compared with relative abundance of prey taxa (invertebrates, small birds and rodents) over the study period. The diet consisted primarily of a range of invertebrate prey, particularly weta (Anostostomatidae and Raphidophoridae) and beetles (Coleoptera). Small numbers of vertebrate prey were recorded including rodents and birds. A positive relationship between the percentage contribution to pellet samples of certain taxa and their relative availability was found, and there were peaks in the occurrence of seasonally abundant taxa including cicadas (Cicadidae), and huhu beetles (Prionoplus reticularis). The tendency of moreporks to prey on abundant taxa indicates that they are unlikely to depress prey populations to low levels, and may have some degree of stabilising influence. A significant increase in the rodent component of the diet in April indicated that the risk to moreporks of secondary poisoning during mammalian pest control operations may vary considerably with the time of year. The secondary aims were to collect data on roost site characteristics and breeding success. Moreporks roosted at a mean height of 4m, and foliar cover at the 4-6m height tier appeared to be the most important characteristic of roost sites when compared with control sites. These findings suggested that moreporks were selecting roost sites with high overhead cover. Possible reasons for this include predator avoidance, avoidance of mobbing passerines, and the microclimate provided. None of three established pairs and two other birds were observed to establish a nest or breed successfully. Additionally, only three juvenile moreporks were sighted or heard across the 90ha study area suggesting low breeding success in 2007-08. This may have been influenced by a range of factors including 1), predation by the high densities of ship rats on Ponui, or other predators 2), a lack of suitable nest sites such as tree hollows in some areas or 3), competition for invertebrate prey with high densities of ship rats and North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli).

Alarm calls are one of the essential components of antipredator behaviour in birds. In this study I recorded and analysed alarm responses of the barred warbler (Sylvia nisoria) to different mounts of avian predators and nonpredators. The information about danger is encoded through graded structure in its unspecific alarm call type.