Cheyenne Smith, “The Changing Environmental Factors Affecting Hatching Success in Tree Swallows”
Mentor: Peter Dunn, Biological Sciences
Birds that eat flying insects (aerial insectivores), such as swallows, are declining at the fastest rates in North America. One prominent hypothesis for this decline is that climate change is leading to declines in their food supply (aerial insects) and this is resulting in lower reproductive success. We examined this hypothesis using long-term data on the reproductive success of tree swallows at the UWM Field Station from 2000-2020. Data on weather and food abundance were also collected daily. Two different traps were used to catch insects: 1) malaise trap, a large tent-like structure that funnels insects into a collecting vessel, and 2) a suction trap. We predicted that rain and cold temperatures would lead to lower food supply and reduced hatching success of eggs, however they did not have a significant effect. Rather, female mass was the most significant factor in chick mortality. Chicks hatched earlier in the season had a higher success rate of later fledging and the overall hatching success had increased since this study began, as has average female body mass.
Click the thumbnail below to open the full sized poster in a new tab.
Hello everyone,
My name is Cheyenne Smith and I have spent the last year working as a research assistant with Dr. Peter Dunn on his long-term study on Tree Swallows at the UWM Field Station. Starting in May 2020, Dr. Dunn, another student, and myself began surveying Tree Swallow nest boxes. This involved weighing and taking various other body measurements on the adult birds. After the breeding season had begun, we counted how many eggs were laid in each box and later weighed the hatchling chicks for further data on body condition. Over the summer, we also collected daily insect samples to organize and sort in order to learn about food supply and insect abundance.
My focus with this research was to examine whether or not food supply (the insects we had been collecting all summer) were a significant factor in the hatching success of these birds.
This spring, I will be a graduate of the Conservation & Environmental Sciences Department. I have also spent the last year as a Raptor Intern with the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, and will be continuing on as an Ornithology Research Assistant at Riveredge Nature Center this summer.
I am incredibly grateful to my mentor, Peter Dunn, and to the Undergraduate Research program for helping me in this endeavor!
Sincerely,
Cheyenne R. Smith
Very nice poster!
Congratulations on your research, and graduation soon! Nice presentation of your work and clear conclusions! So it’s not all about the food, but what you do with it!? Great Job!
A clear presentation of your research and results, good job!
Thank you for the feedback, everyone! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!