Recording Breeding Status

The breeding status terms on these two pages represent criteria for assessing breeding activity. They are listed in order of increasing certainty. Check the box for the appropriate protocol period by the behavior listed on the Field Form. These categories and terms were adapted from state breeding bird atlas programs. The terms are classified under Possible, Probable, and Confirmed breeding categories for BFL purposes.

Possible Breeding

Adult Seen (if uncertain about which sex it is)
Male Seen
Female Seen
Call Heard
Song Heard
Drumming Heard

Probable Breeding

Pair observed in suitable habitat during breeding season
Territoriality—adult or pair engaged in territory defense (chasing individuals of same species)
Courtship/Display or copulation observed
Probable Nest Site—adults visiting probable nest site (presume there is a nest present but not seen)

Confirmed Breeding

Carrying Nest Material such as grass or sticks
Nest Building at the nest site or excavation of a nest hole
Distraction Display or feigned injury
Recently Fledged Young are incapable of sustained flight, restricted to area around nest, and dependent upon adults for food
Occupied Nest—adult seen entering or leaving nest site (usually cavity nesters or canopy nests)
Adult Carrying Fecal Sac
Begging Call Heard—young continually calling, generally with a gaping bill
Adult Carrying Food for young (make sure adults don’t eat it themselves-early in the breeding season adults sometimes carry food to feed their mate. This is called courtship feeding and should be marked as Courtship in the Probable section)
Adult Feeding Young that is recently fledged
Nest With Egg(s)
Adult On Nest (if uncertain about eggs or young)
Nest With Young seen or heard