Hauling field gear up Gothic Mountain…
This study is a long-term investigation into the life histories (e.g., reproduction, behavioral ecology, age, sex) of mountain white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha; MWCS) and Lincoln's sparrows (Melospiza lincolnii; LISP). Lincoln's sparrows are being included to supplement reproductive data given their highly similar nesting ecology to the MWCS. This study aims to elucidate the extent and the nature of life-history tradeoffs associated with endoparasite loads, elevation-based weather and climate patterns, habitat quality, and landscape context. Reproductive metrics of interest include nest success, clutch size, and number of young fledged. We are also interested in gaining insight of the breeding behaviors of MWCS, including nestling provisioning rates and incubation on-off bouts. This will be tested observationally using field sites at different elevations and of varying habitat structure. Methodologies include bird capture, measuring and banding as well as nest searching and monitoring and video camera recording during the nestling stage.