Tree swallow (Photo: Nur Ritter)
The Uehling Lab at West Chester University studies cavity-nesting songbirds in the West Chester region. We monitor a network of over 60 boxes! The main species that use these nest boxes are tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and Eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis). However, occasionally, we will see other species use the boxes, like Carolina chickadees, house wrens, and house sparrows.
Tree swallows and Eastern bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, which means that they nest in cavities that have already been excavated. For example, they might nest in an old woodpecker hole in a tree. Luckily for us, they will also nest in human-provided nest boxes!
If you see these nest boxes, please observe them at a distance. We want to ensure that these birds have the space they need to successfully raise their young. Too much human activity near nest boxes can cause the birds to abandon their eggs or nestlings.
Tree swallows and Eastern bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, which means that they nest in cavities that have already been excavated. For example, they might nest in an old woodpecker hole in a tree. Luckily for us, they will also nest in human-provided nest boxes!
If you see these nest boxes, please observe them at a distance. We want to ensure that these birds have the space they need to successfully raise their young. Too much human activity near nest boxes can cause the birds to abandon their eggs or nestlings.
Eastern bluebirds (Photo: Nur Ritter)
Our lab's research centers on avian ecology and behavior. We are especially interested in understanding how birds decide what to eat and how their diets affect their health and survival. We are also collecting data to understand how the timing of breeding, survival, and breeding success for these species change from year to year.
Please check out the rest of this website for more information! You can also contact Dr. Jenny Uehling (juehling[at]wcupa.edu) if you would like to learn more.