Brief Note: The Influence of Habitat Characteristics on Nestbox Selection by Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and Four Competitors

Author Institution: Department of Biology, Hiram CollegeDuring the breeding seasons of 1990-1992 and 1994, we examined how habitat characteristics surrounding nestboxes influenced nesting success of eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis} and nesting attempts by tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), house wrens (Troglodytes aedon), bluebirds, house sparrows (Passer domesticus), and deer mice (Peromyscus spp.). Using linear regression analyses, significant positive correlations were detected between both the number of nesting attempts and nesting success of eastern bluebirds and the distance to the nearest tree >3.0 m tall. The number of house sparrow nesting attempts was positively associated with the distance to the nearest tree 3.0m and