scholarly journals Nest decoration: birds exploit a fear of feathers to guard their nest from usurpation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Slagsvold ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Tree Swallow ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Structural Support ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Nest Usurpation ◽  
Nest Materials

Many species of birds incorporate feathers into their nest as structural support and to insulate the eggs or offspring. Here, we investigated the novel idea that birds reduce the risk of nest usurpation by decorating it with feathers to trigger a fear response in their rivals. We let prospecting birds choose between a dyad of nest-boxes in the wild, both containing some nest materials, but where one had a few white feathers and the other had none. All three species of cavity-nesting birds studied, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca , the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus , and the tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor , hesitated to enter boxes with white feathers. A similar avoidance of white feathers was found when the alternative nest-box of a dyad held black feathers. However, the birds readily collected white feathers that we placed in front of their nest-box, showing the fear of such feathers was context-dependent. We suggest that naive prospecting birds may perceive feathers in nests as the result of a predation event, and that owners decorate nests with bright feathers that can be seen from the opening to deter others from entering.

scholarly journals Egg covering in cavity nesting birds may prevent nest usurpation by other species

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Slagsvold ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Great Tit ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Nest Usurpation ◽  
New Hypothesis

Abstract Some birds cover their eggs with nest material when they leave to forage. It has been suggested that such egg-covering aids thermoregulation or prevents predation but here we present a new hypothesis, that secondary cavity-nesting species cover their eggs to prevent nest usurpation by other birds. When the bottom of the cavity is dark, as when eggs are covered by nest material, it may be difficult for a prospecting competitor to see whether a defending nest owner or a predator is hiding inside the cavity. Competitors may therefore hesitate to enter dark cavities. We filmed 21 great tit (Parus major) nests during the egg-laying period and found that the female spent bouts of highly variable length outside the nest box (range 0.3–250 min, n = 51), so prospecting small passerines would have difficulty predicting whether an aggressive tit owner was in the box or would soon return. We presented prospecting male pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) with a dyad of boxes (n = 93), each containing a great tit nest but only one with visible eggs. Flycatchers hesitated more to enter a nest box with no visible tit eggs than a box with exposed eggs. This was most evident for nest boxes with dark versus light interior paint, supporting the idea that better interior illumination makes prospecting birds more confident about entering an unfamiliar cavity. The usurpation and predation hypotheses are not mutually exclusive because both competitors and small predators may hesitate to enter dark, enclosed spaces if visibility is low. Significance statement Some birds deposit a layer of material on top of the eggs when they leave the nest. Several hypotheses have been proposed for such egg covering, for example that it may insulate the eggs and reduce the risk of nest predation. We propose a new hypothesis, namely that secondary hole-nesting birds cover their eggs when they leave the nest to prevent usurpation of the cavity by other birds. Great tits that we filmed at the nest during the egg-laying period could be absent for long periods. To test the hypothesis, we presented male pied flycatchers, potential nest competitors, with a dyad of nest boxes, each containing a great tit nest but only one with visible tit eggs. In support of the prediction, prospecting flycatchers hesitated to enter dark cavities with dark floors relative to boxes with exposed, reflective eggs.

A comparison of the breeding ecology of a secondary cavity nesting bird, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), in nest boxes and natural cavities

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raleigh J. Robertson ◽  
Wallace B. Rendell
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Second Year

Several studies concerned with mate choice, reproductive performance, and life history strategies have been conducted with secondary cavity nesting birds breeding in nest boxes. Although the need for comparative studies has been recognized, populations breeding in nest boxes often have not been compared with those breeding in natural cavities. We compared the ecology of Tree Swallows breeding in nest boxes and natural cavities to determine if nest box populations of Tree Swallows are accurate models of natural populations. Two nest site characteristics, nest site dispersion and cavity height, were similar for birds in both nesting environments. Greater cavity entrance area at natural cavities resulted in increased interspecific competition in natural populations, involving larger competitors, more species, and a greater abundance of each species. Clutch size was smaller in natural cavities compared with nest boxes, likely because floor area was smaller in natural cavities. Fledging success did not differ between populations. Disproportionately more after-second-year females bred in nest boxes, and more second-year females bred in natural cavities, as estimated by a model of Tree Swallow survivorship. Tree Swallows settle at nest boxes before natural cavities in our study area, perhaps as a result of the greater potential for reproductive success and reduced interspecific competition in the nest boxes as opposed to natural cavities. For some aspects of the ecology of secondary cavity nesters, nest boxes do not provide an accurate representation of natural populations. Therefore, evolutionary interpretations of nest box studies should be compared with observations of birds in natural environments.

Are avian ectoparasites more numerous in nest boxes with old nest material?

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1819-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace B. Rendell ◽  
Nicolaas A. M. Verbeek
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Winter Survival ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Ornithonyssus Sylviarum ◽  
Nest Microclimate ◽  
One Year

Researchers may reduce the numbers of haematophagous ectoparasites in nest boxes of cavity-nesting birds by removing old nests from boxes and, as a result, eliminate an important selective pressure that could influence the results from nest-box studies of birds. We recorded the numbers of parasites in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) boxes in which we manipulated the presence, amount, and quality of old nests. Bird fleas (Ceratophyllus idius) were more numerous in boxes with old nests, and there was a positive correlation between nest volume and flea numbers. In one year, there was a positive association between fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) numbers and nest volume; otherwise, fowl mites and blow flies (Protocalliphora sialia) were equally numerous in all nest types. We conclude that ectoparasites whose over-winter survival depends on old nests are more numerous in boxes with old nests, whereas parasites whose over-winter survival is independent of old nests infect nest sites randomly. Also, reinfection and nest microclimate likely contributed to variance in parasite numbers between nest types and years, respectively. We recommend caution when speculating about the possible effects of cleaning boxes on parasites that occur in nests because different species of parasites are not influenced similarly by old nests.

scholarly journals Atypical behavior of a black fly species connects cavity-nesting birds with generalist blood parasites in an arid area of Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayden Chakarov ◽  
Jesús Veiga ◽  
Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo ◽  
Francisco Valera
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Black Flies ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasite ◽  
Black Fly ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Infected Adult ◽  
In The Wild

Abstract Background The feeding behavior of bloodsucking insects determines the transmission, distribution, host spectrum and evolution of blood parasites in the wild. Conventional wisdom suggests that some vector groups (e.g. black flies, family Simuliidae) are consistently exophagous daytime biters. We aimed to understand more about the exceptions to this pattern by combining targeted trapping and molecular identification of parasites in vectors. Methods In this study, we collected black flies in nest boxes used by European rollers Coracias garrulus in southeastern Spain. We molecularly analyzed 434 individual insects, identifying the black fly species caught in the nest boxes, their potential vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages that they carried. Results Only one black fly species, Simulium rubzovianum, appeared to enter the nest boxes of rollers. Among the trapped specimens, 15% contained vertebrate DNA, which always belonged to rollers, even though only half of those specimens were visibly engorged. Furthermore, 15% of all black flies contained Leucocytozoon lineages, indicating previous feeding on avian hosts but probably not on infected adult rollers. The known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages suggested that large and/or abundant birds are their hosts. Particularly represented were cavity-nesting species breeding in the vicinity, such as pigeons, corvids and owls. Open-nesting species such as thrushes and birds of prey were also represented. Conclusions Our data strongly suggest that S. rubzovianum bites uninfected roller nestlings and infected individuals of other species, potentially incubating adults, inside nest boxes and natural cavities. This simuliid does not appear to have a strong preference for specific host clades. Contrary to the general pattern for the group, and possibly enhanced by the harsh environmental conditions in the study area, this black fly appeared to intensively use and may even have a preference for confined spaces such as cavities for feeding and resting. Preferences of vectors for atypical microhabitat niches where hosts are less mobile may enable social and within-family transmission and parasite speciation in the long term. At the same time, a lack of host preference in concentrated multispecies communities can lead to host switches. Both processes may be underappreciated driving forces in the evolution of avian blood parasites. Graphical abstract

Effects of urbanization and nest box design on reproduction vary by species in three cavity-nesting passerines in the Okanagan Valley

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Dale ◽  
Matthew W Reudink ◽  
Laurene M Ratcliffe ◽  
Ann E McKellar
Keyword(s):  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Western Bluebirds ◽  
Mountain Bluebirds ◽  
Artificial Nest Boxes ◽  
Okanagan Valley

Artificial nest boxes provide an important resource for secondary cavity-nesting passerines, whose populations may be limited by the availability of nesting sites. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the design and placement of boxes may affect the reproductive success of the birds that use them. In this study, we asked whether the habitat surrounding a nest box or the type of box influenced reproduction in three cavity-nesting passerines. We studied western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana Swainson, 1832), mountain bluebirds (S. currucoides Bechstein, 1798), and tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor Vieillot, 1808) breeding in artificial nest boxes at sites across 70 km of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Sites varied in their degree of urbanization, from relatively undisturbed ranchland, to cultivated vineyards, to frequently disturbed ‘suburban’ habitat, and boxes varied in type of entrance (slot or hole). Western bluebirds nested earlier in vineyards, and tree swallows produced significantly fewer fledglings in suburban habitat. In addition, tree swallows nested earlier and produced more fledglings in slot boxes. Our results suggest that conservation actions for cavity-nesting passerines may depend on the target species, which in turn should dictate the appropriate box type and habitat when erecting or replacing nest boxes.

scholarly journals Old nest material functions as an informative cue in making nest-site selection decisions in the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingju E ◽  
Tuo Wang ◽  
Shangyu Wang ◽  
Ye Gong ◽  
Jiangping Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Falco Tinnunculus ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Nest Materials ◽  
Organic Remains

Abstract Background For secondary cavity-nesting bird species that do not add lining materials to nests, the presence of old nest material or organic remains that have accumulated within nest cavities from previous breeding events may be a cue of nest-site quality. These materials potentially contain information about past breeding success in con- and heterospecifics and may improve the thermal insulation of eggs during incubation. However, few studies have addressed whether the presence of old nest materials serves as a cue for cavity-nesting raptors when choosing specific nest sites. Methods We conducted a 9-year nest box experiment to test whether old nest materials from con- and heterospecifics serve as informative cues to the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) when making nest selection decisions, as this species uses nest boxes without adding nesting material. Results The presence of old nest materials and entrance size best discriminated nest boxes occupied by European Kestrels from unoccupied boxes. Nest boxes containing conspecific organic remains, artificial dry leaf and branch material, and material left behind by Great Tits (Parus major) were reused at higher rates, especially those containing conspecific nest material, than nest boxes containing true or simulated nest materials from predators. In 2010, no single nest box was occupied by the same banded individual that occupied the box in the previous year (10 females and 2 males were banded in 2009). Conclusions European Kestrels preferred nest boxes containing old nest material over empty boxes, which is consistent with previous findings that they exploit con- and heterospecific cues when deciding where to settle and breed, as old nest or organic material provides substrate for incubating females. Kestrels may be able to assess the predation risks associated with a specific nest site based on experience or the presence of prey remains. The repeated use of nest boxes across breeding seasons by kestrels cannot be entirely ascribed to philopatry. This study provides evidence that old nest materials are potentially used as informative cues when making nest-site selection decisions in European Kestrels.

scholarly journals Can eggs in a cavity be a female secondary sexual signal? Male nest visits and modelling of egg visual discrimination in blue tits

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Jeanne Holveck ◽  
Claire Doutrelant ◽  
Romain Guerreiro ◽  
Philippe Perret ◽  
Doris Gomez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Discrimination ◽  
Colour Vision ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Secondary Sexual Trait ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Dim Light ◽  
Female Specific ◽  
Blue Tits ◽  
Secondary Sexual

Eggshell colouration is thought to function as a female-specific secondary sexual trait. While tests of this idea are rapidly accumulating in cavity-nesting birds, some fundamental underlying assumptions remain rarely investigated: namely, can males see eggshell coloration and perceive colour differences between the eggs of different females? We tested these two key assumptions in a natural population of blue tits ( Cyanistes caeruleus ). Using transponders, we tracked male nest visits and found that all males visited their nest-boxes while eggs were present and often visually accessible. Interestingly, some males also visited neighbouring nests. We then tested whether birds could detect eggshell coloration using models of avian colour vision; models were performed with and without limitations on visual performance owing to dim light. Both models found that differences in eggshell brightness were often easier to discriminate than differences in colour; there was more contrast in white eggshell background between clutches than within and its contrast against nest background was repeatable within clutches, suggesting these features could act as signals. Yet, the detectability of these contrasts depended entirely on model assumptions of visual limitations. Consequently, we need a better understanding of underlying visual mechanisms in dim-light environments and behavioural discrimination experiments before confirming the signalling potential of eggshell coloration.

scholarly journals Experimental manipulation of nocturnal nest cavity temperature in wild blue tits

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily G. Simmonds ◽  
Ben C. Sheldon ◽  
Tim Coulson ◽  
Ella F. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Nest Temperature ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Blue Tits

AbstractAdvances in the timing of reproduction in temperate species are some of the most well documented biotic responses to increasing global temperatures. However, the magnitude and rate of these advances in timing are not equal across all taxonomic groups. These differences can lead to disruption of interspecific relationships if species respond differently to temperature changes. Understanding the relationship between temperature and phenology is a key step in predicting future population trends for species living in seasonal environments. However, experimentally manipulating temperature in the wild is logistically challenging and has consequently rarely been attempted. In this study we experimentally test whether in-nest temperatures in early spring act as a cue for breeding phenology in a population of wild blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We split nests into three treatments; heated, cooled, and control. In-nest temperature in the heated and cooled boxes was manipulated by an average of ± 0.6 °C from control temperatures using heating devices and ice packs respectively. We assessed the impact of our experimental manipulation on box occupancy and reproductive timing. We found trends towards earlier phenology in heated nest boxes in addition to a higher occupancy rate in cooled boxes, however neither of these trends was found to be statistically significant. Our ability to distinguish statistical signals was hampered by unexpectedly low occupancy rates across all experimental treatments. Based on the results we cannot say if nocturnal in-nest temperature is an important cue for nest box choice or the timing of laying.

scholarly journals How big is best? Various nest box sizes and their acceptance by Muscardinus avellanarius (Rodentia: Gliridae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42
Author(s):  
Carina Heberer ◽  
Bettina Koppmann-Rumpf ◽  
Karl-Heinz Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Internal Space ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Entrance Hole ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Hazel Dormouse ◽  
Muscardinus Avellanarius

Abstract The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) can be found in nest boxes intended for birds and dormice throughout its distributional range. To minimize competition with other potential nest box inhabitants such as the edible dormouse (Glis glis) and hole-nesting passerines like the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), we successfully tested nest boxes with a 21 mm entrance hole in previous studies. The only competing species still able to pass through the entrance hole were the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and possibly the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). To further optimize the nest boxes we tested whether their internal space might be important for selection by the hazel dormouse. Starting in 2015, we set up groups of four wooden nest boxes varying in base area (50×50 mm, 60×60 mm, 70×70 mm and 80×80 mm, respectively) with 21 mm entrance holes. The nest boxes were placed in an identical array at 15 stations spaced at intervals of 30 m along a hedgerow. By doing regular nest box checks and documenting all species found we investigated which nest box types were used most often by the hazel dormouse in order to detect possible preferences. So far, the data show a more intensive use of the nest boxes that provided the largest internal space, i.e. 80×80 mm.

scholarly journals Preference of rabbit does among different nest materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.P. Farkas ◽  
Zs. Szendrő ◽  
Zs. Matics ◽  
I. Radnai ◽  
I. Nagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Wood Shavings ◽  
Nest Materials ◽  
Nest Quality

Nest quality is important for the survival of new-born rabbits. Nesting material in rabbit farms generally consists of wood shavings, which is completely different from the dry grass used by the European wild rabbit (<em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em>). The aim of the experiments was to examine which nest materials are preferred by rabbit does when building their nest. In experiment 1, the choice of multiparous rabbit does (n=37) among nest boxes bedded with different nesting materials was monitored. In each pen (1.0×1.83 m) 1 doe and 4 nest boxes (0.37×0.23×0.31 m) with different nest materials (meadow hay [H], wheat straw [S], fine fibre material [Lignocel<sup>®</sup>, L] or wood shavings [W]) were placed 3 days before the expected parturition (gestation length is about 31 d in the Pannon White breed). Some 48.6% of the does kindled in nest boxes that contained pure materials (L: 40.5%, S: 5.4%, H: 2.7%), and 51.3% of the does kindled in nest boxes where the nest materials of different nest boxes were mixed by the does (S with L: 21.5%, S with L and H: 5.4%, W with L: 8.1%, L with H and S: 5.4%). Does preferred kindling in the nest box bedded with L, and most of them refused the nest box with W. In experiment 2/a (n=32 does) and 2/b (n=25 does), each pen (1×0.91 m) was equipped with 3 and 2 hay racks and filled with H, S or L, and H or S, respectively. The experiments lasted from the 27<sup>th</sup> day of pregnancy until the day of parturition and 24-h video recordings (10 does/experiment) were evaluated throughout the experiment. The events of carrying the nest materials from the hay racks were registered. In experiment 2/a, the frequency of nest material carrying was highest on the day of parturition. The preferred nest material was L (compared to H and S) on each experimental day except day 30 of pregnancy. At the day of kindling, 87.5, 6.3 and 6.3% of the nests contained pure L, mixed L-H and L-S, respectively. In experiment 2/b, the frequency of nest material carrying (mostly S) was highest on the day of parturition, and on days 27 and 30 of pregnancy. More does built nests with only S (72%) than H (16%), and in 12% of the cases the S and H were mixed. For the purpose of nest building, material S was the most frequently used (72%) compared to other possibilities (H: 16%, S-H: 12%). It can be concluded that rabbit does showed the following clear preferences for specific nest building materials: L&gt;S&gt;H&gt;W.

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