Nest predators of a woodland bird community in south-east Australia

Nest predation is the most common source of nest failure in most passerines, yet the identity of the predators is generally poorly known. Recent advances in surveillance cameras have made the identification of nest predators much easier. We used this technology to investigate the nest predators of a woodland bird community in south-east Australia, for which nest predation averaged 59% per annum over four years. Despite the loss of more than 240 clutches or broods during this period, only one predation event was witnessed prior to the use of cameras, and the identity of predators remained virtually unknown. During the 2012/13 breeding season, cameras recorded 17 acts of nest predation involving seven species of nesting birds, and we identified seven species of predator (four birds and three mammals). For two of the avian predators, we recorded hitherto unknown behaviour.