Nithee Patel, Senior Scientific Research Program Islands High School Savannah, Georgia
Abstract Nest temperature is a crucial factor to the survival of fledglings. Temperature fluctuation can negatively impact the growth and development of songbird nestlings. Inner nest cup diameter is also an essential component to the number of nestlings successfully fledged. These factors impact the success of songbird nests and vary depending on the weather and placement of nest boxes. We recorded temperatures inside the nest cup of a Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) for 32 days using a thermocouple and data logger (Lascar ELUSBTC). Time from hatching to fledging was divided into two groups based on feather growth: 06 days and 7 days fledging. Significant differences were detected when comparing daytime and nighttime nest temperatures between developmental stages (twosample tTests; p=0.000007 and p=0.00069, respectively). In Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), nest cup diameter and the number of nestlings fledged were strongly positively correlated (Pearson’s correlation; r=0.6298, p=0.02817). A better understanding of nest microclimate and nestling development can be established with the knowledge this study provides. Future studies can use these results for further experimentation and additional knowledge on avian developmental stages