Do changes in food and predation make the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) a winner in urban environments?

城市化是美国物种濒危的主要原因。然而，一些物种在城市栖息地繁衍生息。了解城市环境中的哪些因素允许这些城市获胜者取得成功，对于了解城市化对野生动物的影响至关重要。这项拟议的研究将探讨允许北方知更鸟在城市地区达到相对于非城市地区的高丰度的因素。2005-2006年模拟鸟巢捕食率表明，尽管鸟巢捕食者(乌鸦、黑鸟、松鸦)和至少一些哺乳动物(猫、浣熊)数量增加，但城市地区的鸟巢捕食率有所下降。这项研究将通过使用巢穴监控摄像头量化城市和非城市栖息地不同捕食者群体的捕食率来解决这一“捕食者悖论”。了解城市地区捕食者群落的变化将使研究人员能够预测其他物种将如何应对城市化。为了在社区和停车场研究嘲鸟，许多业主通过挨家挨户的方式获得许可。与市民的互动提高了他们对野生动物的认识，并培养了他们与自然的联系。这种联系对于成功保护城市地区和遥远的原始栖息地的生物多样性是必要的。PI还将与本科教育专业一起制定课程计划，让中学生接触科学和野生动物。提高市民对停车场和后院周围自然的认识，是将科学和对自然的欣赏带给每个人的第一步。

Urbanization is a leading cause of species endangerment in the US. Some species, however, thrive in urban habitats. Understanding what factors in the urban environment allow these urban winners to be successful is critical in understanding effects of urbanization on wildlife. The proposed research will address factors allowing one such species, the Northern Mockingbird, to reach high abundance in urban areas relative to non-urban areas. Nest predation rates of mockingbirds from 2005-2006 demonstrate reduced nest predation in urban areas, despite higher abundance of avian nest predators (crows, blackbirds, jays) and at least some mammals (cats, raccoons). This research will address this 'predator paradox' by quantifying predation rates from different groups of predators in urban and non-urban habitats using surveillance cameras on nests. Knowing how predator communities change in urban areas will allow researchers to make predictions about how other species will respond to urbanization. To study mockingbirds in neighborhoods and parking lots, the permission of many property owners is obtained by going door-to-door. Interactions with citizens raise their awareness of wildlife and foster a connection with nature. This connection is necessary to succeed in conserving biodiversity in both urban areas and far-away pristine habitats. The PI's will also develop lesson plans with undergraduate education majors that expose middle school students to science and wildlife. Raising awareness of citizens about the nature that surrounds them in parking lots and backyards is a first step in bringing science and an appreciation for nature to everyone.