Humans aren’t the only species who fight with their siblings, but for one species, sibling rivalries have much higher consequences. Sibling rivalries in Canada jays have lifetime benefits for the dominant juvenile, but potentially deadly consequences for the others. 

Canada jay fledglings fight with their siblings when they are just six weeks old. The winner of the fight, or the “family bully,” forces the other fledglings to leave the territory and remains in the nest with its parents for a year. Those that were forced to flee must find another home territory or join an unrelated pair of Canada jays nearby. Banished jays have a mortality rate of 80 per cent in their first year, as they often die of starvation or predation.

Researchers in the College of Biological Science at the University of Guelph examined 58 years of data on Canada jays in Algonquin Park. They found that dominant juveniles were more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce if they forced their siblings out of the nest as fledglings. 

The number of occupied jay territories in Algonquin Provincial Park has fallen approximately 75 per cent compared to record highs. Therefore, understanding Canada jay behaviour is becoming increasingly important as climate change threatens their populations. 

A new hope

Recent reintroduction efforts by the Wilder Institute have given critically imperiled northern leopard frogs in B.C. new hope. Currently, only one population of northern leopard frogs remains in the province, due to habitat loss, invasive species and disease.

However, the species is showing early signs of success at a new reintroduction site in Cherry Meadows Conservation Area and Sparrowhawk Farm wetland complex in B.C. Their survival rate from tadpole to young-of-year frogs was higher than other true frogs and young-of-year frogs have reached sizes expected of a two-year-old northern leopard frog. 

Researchers plan to return to the site in the summer to determine how many frogs have survived the winter. During winter, northern leopard frogs are particularly vulnerable to predators and disease and only 10 per cent survive their first year of winter.

When choosing this reintroduction site researchers ensured that waterbodies in the wetland had ideal temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels for winter survival.  If the rate of overwinter survival is promising and there is evidence of breeding in the wild, these efforts may result in the successful establishment of a second population of northern leopard frogs in B.C. 

Duck, no cover

The Prairie Pothole Region of North America has been the traditional breeding grounds of approximately 10 million waterfowl, for thousands of years. The landscape of the region, which spans parts of Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, has changed significantly due to weather patterns and agricultural practices. This evolving landscape has impacted waterfowl breeding, with some populations proliferating while others decline.

A new study led by a Pennsylvania State University research team found that when waterfowl nest is a key factor in determining the success of a population. Early-nesting ducks face increased risk due to changes in climate and land use.

When early nesting ducks arrive, many fields are covered in leftover debris from the previous harvest, primarily stubble from cereal grains. While the stubble looks good from the air, it doesn’t offer the same protections. The eventual replanting of these fields often results in agricultural activities destroying their nests. This leaves the ducks vulnerable to predators and leads to lower reproductive success.

These findings will help future targeting efforts for waterfowl species of concern and areas of conservation priority.

Gotta See ‘em All!