UMA Research Colloquium Series
As part of its continuing commitment to intellectual community, the University of Maine at Augusta Research Colloquium (UMARC) series is a venue for UMA faculty, staff, and sponsored students to present completed scholarly works to their peers. The series provides a forum for the presentation of all UMA research (as defined by the Faculty Senate in 2010) including scientific investigations, innovations in education, creative works, and theoretical considerations.
The effects of human interaction on Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) behavior and nest predation
Two professors from the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) presented their research on the effects of human interaction on Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) behavior and nest predation on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the UMA Augusta campus.
Marielle Postava-Davignon and Jennifer Long, both UMA assistant professors of biology, compared jay behavior and nest predation levels in New Hampshire and Maine between sites where little human interaction has been documented, and sites located at popular recreation areas where feeding has been well documented. They captured, banded, tracked and recorded the birds’ behavior to determine if human interaction impacts important behaviors such as predation and breeding.
The Canada jay, when living near humans, can be a friendly little songbird that seems to enjoy engaging with humans and the free food we provide, whether in a feeder or out of a trash can at a scenic overlook. Known by several other names such as the gray jay, whiskey jack, and even camp robber, they might steal food from your picnic table and even eat right out of your hand. It was this bold behavior that caught the attention of Postava-Davignon, an avid hiker. “One tried to steal my lunch when I was hiking and was rather pesky about it,” she quipped. She then wondered if it was or wasn’t okay to feed them, and if doing so caused them to be so audacious. Back home and after a thorough search for information, she found nothing definitive on the subject. She invited Long to join the project, and so it began. Through their research, Drs. Long and Postava-Davignon observed that Canada jays living in more remote areas often behave differently from their more urban-dwelling counterparts.