I have changed the location of my field study as my original location was too far away from my house to gather multiple data reps over a duration of time. I have switched the location to the front yard of my house, which contains two mature Green Ash trees and a 5 ft high Privet hedge. The remaining landscape of the yard is covered in 2 ft of snow and will likely remain this way throughout my field study.
I will study the feeding choices of the Black-Capped Chickadee. Throughout this winter, Black-Capped Chickadees have been taking shelter in the Privet Hedge. I will place identical bird feeders on each Green Ash tree, with the same bird feed. The first Green Ash is closer to the Privet Hedge, being 6ft away. While the second Green Ash tree is 20ft away.
Area 1: Privet Hedge
Area 2: Green Ash Tree 1 with Bird Feeder 1
Area 3: Green Ash Tree 2 with Bird Feeder 2
Hypothesis: Black-Capped Chickadees will prefer the bird feeder closer to the Privet Hedge, as this saves energy to obtain feed and reduces the risk of predation.
Prediction: The frequency of birds feeding at each feeder will be observed. Based on the hypothesis, bird frequency of feeding will be higher on Bird Feeder 1 as it is closer to the Privet Hedge. The hedge provides shelter and protection for the birds which will reduce the risk of predation from hawks or domestic cats. As well, feeding at the closer feeder will exhaust less energy than flying to the farther feeder. Saving energy is an essential requirement in the winter months as the birds do not want to reduce their body fat which keeps them warm.
- Response Variable: The frequency of visits the Black-Capped Chickadee visits at each bird feed that is placed at different distances from the Privet Hedge. This is a continuous response as a value is being measured over a range.
- Explanatory Variable: The distance the bird feeder is placed in an independent variable. This distance does not change throughout the experiment therefore is a fixed and categorical variable.
Observational Method: Each bird feeder will be placed on the same side and height as the Green Ash Trees. I will collect the frequency of feeding at each bird feed by observing the birds flying to each feeder. This will be completed every day for two weeks from 7:00 – 8:00 am.
