Behavioral Observation

Using behavioral observation to understand whether birds are breeding successfully in an area provides information about bird/habitat relationships and bird response to habitat change.  By observing the breeding behavior of birds, we can determine an index to reproductive success.  Based on an individual’s behavior (e.g., nest building or carrying food), we can be assigned a breeding behavior score; the higher the score, the more likely that bird was nesting and successfully fledged young.  This method is less labor-intensive and less invasive than the more commonly used nest searching method.