Here are some articles of interest in the current issue of The Wilson Journal of Ornithology (fee or subscription required):

Capsaicin as a Deterrent Against Introduced Mammalian Nest Predators
Hot pepper will keep non-native rats away from bird eggs in nests, says this study from New Zealand.

Variation in the Diet of Western Barn Owls (Tyto alba) Along an Urban-Rural Gradient
Barn owl populations are most dense in the suburbs, this Argentinian study finds. In that periurban environment, barn owls find both native rodents found in rural areas and the non-native rodents found in cities. Barn owl pops are not declining in South America as they are here, but this paper may offer tidbits for local population-boosting efforts.

Eastern Screech-Owl Responses to Suburban Sprawl, Warmer Climate, and Additional Avian Food in Central Texas
The suburbs also have benefits for screech owls in Texas — earlier nesting and higher fledgling productivity.

Simultaneous Multiple Nests of Calliope Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird   Two different species of hummingbirds in Montana were observed laying eggs in a second nest while still feeding young in the first nest of the season.

Here are some articles of interest in the current issue of The Wilson Journal of Ornithology (fee or subscription required):

Capsaicin as a Deterrent Against Introduced Mammalian Nest Predators
Hot pepper will keep non-native rats away from bird eggs in nests, says this study from New Zealand.

Variation in the Diet of Western Barn Owls (Tyto alba) Along an Urban-Rural Gradient
Barn owl populations are most dense in the suburbs, this Argentinian study finds. In that periurban environment, barn owls find both native rodents found in rural areas and the non-native rodents found in cities. Barn owl pops are not declining in South America as they are here, but this paper may offer tidbits for local population-boosting efforts.

Eastern Screech-Owl Responses to Suburban Sprawl, Warmer Climate, and Additional Avian Food in Central Texas
The suburbs also have benefits for screech owls in Texas — earlier nesting and higher fledgling productivity.

Simultaneous Multiple Nests of Calliope Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird   Two different species of hummingbirds in Montana were observed laying eggs in a second nest while still feeding young in the first nest of the season.