When should Mayfield model data be discarded?

Abstract

Much confusion exists over the proper way to handle nest-fate data collected after the fledge date when using the Mayfield method. I provide a simple numerical example showing how use of these data can bias estimates of daily survival probability, and present a likelihood function demonstrating that nest-fate data collected after the fledge date do not contribute any information for parameter estimation, except in a seldom-realized special case. Consequently, it is recommended that under the Mayfield model, nest-fate data collected after the fledge date be discarded.