Abstract
This study was designed to compare habitat selection and nest survival of Saltmarsh Sparrows
(Ammospiza caudacutus), Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritimus) and Willets (Tringa
semipalmata) among three sites varying in levels of urbanization in New York City and Long
Island, NY. Habitat selection and nest survival were modeled as a function of vegetation
composition and structure, tidal flow, and elevation in urban and island marshes. Results
highlighted the importance of vegetation height and structure. Tall vegetation appeared to
provide be important for nest survival, especially in urban marshes with high water levels and
presumably dense predator communities. We observed potential variations in vegetation
preferences of the highly specialized sparrow species, however, nest survival rates were still low
at our highly urbanized site. Even with selection shifts, the adaptive capacity of specialized tidal
marsh birds may be reached soon and survival will continue to decline without habitat
restoration.