Caldwell, Luke, authorAngeloni, Lisa M., advisorSillett, T. Scott, committee memberSavidge, Julie A., committee member2007-01-032007-01-032010http://hdl.handle.net/10217/45985The small population size and limited range of the Island Scrub-Jay make it a species of conservation concern, yet its reproductive ecology is poorly known. From 2008 - 2010 I investigated factors influencing nest success, quantified annual fecundity per pair, and documented breeding behavior. Nest predation was the major factor influencing nest success, accounting for 92 percent of documented nest failures. Nests that were initiated earlier in the breeding season, nests that were higher and more concealed, and nests of breeding pairs that had smaller home ranges had higher daily nest survival. Despite a low estimated daily nest survival rate of 0.945 ± 0.004 SE, the high frequency of renesting allowed pairs to maintain a mean fecundity of 1.13 ± 0.15 SE. Island Scrub-Jays may benefit from an increase in breeding habitat and lower nest predation from the ongoing regeneration of woody vegetation and understory structure following the removal of exotic herbivores on Santa Cruz Island.masters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.nest successnest predationisland scrub-jayhabitat-specific fecunditySanta Cruz IslandIsland scrub jay -- California -- Santa Cruz Island -- ReproductionIsland scrub jay -- Ecology -- California -- Santa Cruz IslandAphelocoma insularisText