Breeding Evidence Codes

OBSERVED

X Species observed during its breeding season, but NOT in suitable nesting habitat (no breeding evidence found). Note that this code is rarely used as birds tend to occupy nesting habitat during the breeding season. Do not use for species known to be migrants.


POSSIBLE

H Species observed in suitable nesting Habitat during its breeding season.
S Singing male or adult producing other sounds associated with breeding (e.g., calls or drumming) in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season.


PROBABLE

M Multiple singing/calling/drumming individuals (7 or more) heard during one visit to a single square and in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season. Use with caution to avoid counting migrants.
P Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season.
T Presumed Territory based on the presence of an adult bird (usually singing, but not necessarily so), in the same suitable nesting habitat patch on at least two visits, one week or more apart, during the species’ breeding season. Use discretion when using this code. “T” is not to be used for colonial birds, or species that might forage or loaf a long distance from their nesting site (e.g. Turkey Vulture, and male waterfowl).
D Courtship or Displays involving a male and female (e.g., courtship feeding, copulation) or antagonistic behavior between two or more individuals (e.g., territorial disputes or chases), in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season.
V Bird Visiting a probable nest site in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season.
A Agitated behavior or alarm calls of an adult in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season.
B Brood patch or cloacal protuberance on an adult in suitable nesting habitat during the species’ breeding season.
N Nest-building by wrens or nest hole excavation by woodpeckers (both may build dummy or roosting nests so nest-building alone is not enough to confirm breeding).


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CONFIRMED

NB Nest building, including the carrying of nesting material, by all species except wrens and woodpeckers.
DD Distraction Display, injury-feigning, or other displays attempting to draw attention away from a nest or young.
NU Empty Nest Used or identifiable eggshells from earlier in the same nesting season.
FY Recently Fledged Young (nidicolous species – whose young are raised in a nest) or downy young (nidifugous species – whose young leave the nest soon after hatching) incapable of sustained flight.
AE Adult Entering, occupying, or leaving a nest site (visible or not) or whose behavior suggests the presence of an occupied nest.
FS Adult carrying a Faecal Sac.
CF Adult Carrying Food for young.
NE Nest containing eggs
NY Nest with Young (seen or heard)


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© Bill McDonald

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