Comparison of success between actual northern bobwhite and wild turkey nests and simulated nests

Many studies have used simulated nests to infer patterns of predation of actual nests. However, most studies have used eggs of a different species or different clutch size, which could bias estimates of nest predation. We tested the validity of using simulated nests with varying clutch characteristics to infer nest success of actual bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) nests. Nest success was similar between actual and simulated nests regardless of clutch or egg size for bobwhite (P=0.22) and wild turkey (P=0.99). Timing of depredation also did not differ between actual and simulated nests for bobwhite (P=0.59) or wild turkey (P=0.40). However, more simulated nests of bobwhites contained eggshell evidence after depredation than did actual nests (P=0.001). Our data suggest that dummy nests provide a reasonable index of nest success of actual bobwhite and wild turkey nests.

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