Project properties

Title What determines predation risk of wild birds’ nests? – A field study in Africa
Group Behavioural Ecology
Project type thesis
Credits 30-36
Supervisor(s) Sjouke A. Kingma
Kat L. Bebbington
Examiner(s) Marc Naguib
Contact info sjouke.kingma@wur.nl
Begin date 2020/03/10
End date 2030/03/10
Description Nest predation is a major cause of reproductive failure in birds. Therefore birds are predicted to adopt behavioural strategies to avoid predation. In this project you will determine what cause predation: assessed factors include individuals’ behaviour around the nest, nest concealment, tree species and predator abundance.
The fieldwork takes place in the savanna of Eswatini in Southern Africa; an adventurous attitude is an advantage: the fieldsite is beautiful but remote and accommodation is basic.

Used skills Fieldwork, behaviour observations, nest searching and observation, bird catching
Requirements The fieldwork takes place in the savanna of Eswatini in Southern Africa; an adventurous attitude is an advantage: the fieldsite is beautiful but remote and accommodation is basic.