Area utilization, evidence of cooperative breeding, sex ratio bias and nest-site selection in black and white warblers (Mniotilta varia)

The primary goal of my thesis project was to gain a basic understanding of the breeding biology and habitat use of Black and White Warblers, and to lay a foundation for future research on the species. The introductory part of my thesis paints a picture of their natural history and outlines behavioural observations recorded during my initial field season. My most significant discovery was a single observation of cooperative breeding with two males feeding nestlings at a single nest. Black and White Warblers were previously thought to be entirely socially monogamous like most other New World warbler species; but my confirmed observation coupled with a limited number of other suspected, but unconfirmed cases suggest that though Black and White Warblers are primarily socially monogamous, there is some evidence that cooperative breeding may occur with some regularity.;Topics covered in my first manuscript include home range size, patterns in area utilization, cooperative breeding and sex ratio bias. The second manuscript deals solely with nest-site selection by females. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).