scholarly journals Site-Specific Variation in Bacterial Loads of Wooden Nest Boxes in the Pre-Breeding Period

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Zabłotni ◽  
Adam Kaliński ◽  
Mirosława Bańbura ◽  
Michał Glądalski ◽  
Marcin Markowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract Among environmental factors affecting life - history traits of birds breeding in nest boxes, an influence of microbial communities is relatively poorly understood. In this study, nest boxes used for breeding by great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) were sampled before the start of the breeding season to assess the bacterial loads of the nest box. Samples from the entrance hole and the interior of the nest box were taken at two different study sites: an urban parkland and a natural forest. Nest boxes were sampled to check if their bacterial loads differed between habitats. The second objective of this study was to check whether the occupancy of the nest boxes during the previous season would influence the bacterial load of the nest box. To verify this prediction, two categories of nest boxes were sampled at both study sites: nest boxes occupied by any of the two tit species in the previous season for breeding and nest boxes that had remained empty that year. The bacterial load of the nest box was significantly higher in the forest study area in both the occupied and unoccupied nest boxes. The nest boxes used for breeding in the previous season had significantly higher bacterial loads, but only in the forest area. Our results suggest that the bacterial load of the nest box can vary between habitats and may be positively related to the presence of the nests in the previous breeding season.

Seasonal feeding activity of the tree-hole tick, Ixodes arboricola

Parasitology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 141 (8) ◽  
pp. 1044-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. A. HEYLEN ◽  
A. R. VAN OOSTEN ◽  
N. DEVRIENDT ◽  
J. ELST ◽  
L. DE BRUYN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Random Pattern ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Hole ◽  
Fast Development ◽  
Tick Transmission ◽  
Ixodes Arboricola

SUMMARYBird-specific ticks do not infest humans and livestock, but these ticks often share their avian hosts with generalist ticks that do. Therefore, their feeding activity may have an impact on the transmission of pathogens outside bird–tick transmission cycles. Here we examined the seasonal feeding activity of the tree-hole tick (Ixodes arboricola) in relation to the activity of its hole-breeding hosts (Parus major and Cyanistes caeruleus). We analysed data on ticks derived from birds, on the abundance of engorged ticks inside nest boxes, and on bird nests that were experimentally exposed to ticks. We observed a non-random pattern of feeding associated with the tick instar and host age. The majority of adult ticks fed on nestlings, while nymphs and larvae fed on both free-flying birds and nestlings. Due to their fast development, some ticks were able to feed twice within the same breeding season. The highest infestation rates in free-flying birds were found during the pre-breeding period and during autumn and winter when birds roost inside cavities. Except during winter, feeding of I. arboricola overlapped in time with the generalist Ixodes ricinus, implying that tick-borne microorganisms that are maintained by I. arboricola and birds could be bridged by I. ricinus to other hosts.

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 The Use Of Nest-Boxes By Two Species Of Sparrows (Passer Domesticus And P. Montanus) With Opposite Trends Of Abundance – The Study In Warsaw

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Węgrzynowicz
Keyword(s):  
House Sparrow ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Specific Rate ◽  
Tree Sparrow ◽  
Urbanization Gradient ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Housing Estates

Abstract The occupation of nest-boxes by House- and Tree Sparrow in Warsaw was investigated in 2005-2009 and in 2012. Riparian forests, younger and older parks in downtown, and housing estates were included in the study as 4 types of habitats corresponding to the urbanization gradient of Warsaw. 1035 inspections of nest-boxes suitable for both species (type A) were carried out during the breeding period and 345 nest-boxes of other types were inspected after the breeding period. In order to determine the importance of nest-boxes for both species on different plots, obtained data were analyzed using Nest-box Importance Coefficient (NIC). This coefficient describes species-specific rate of occupation of nest-boxes as well as the contribution of the pairs nesting in them. Tree Sparrow occupied a total of 33% of A-type nest-boxes, its densities were positively correlated with the number of nest-boxes, and seasonal differences in occupation rate were low for this species. The NIC and the rate of nest-box occupation for Tree Sparrow decreased along an urbanization gradient. House Sparrow used nest-boxes very rarely, only in older parks and some housing estates. Total rate of nest-box occupation for House Sparrow in studied plots was 4%, and NIC was relatively low. However, locally, installation of nest-boxes limited House Sparrow decline caused by reduced availability of its typical nest sites. Both species used only A-type nest boxes. The rate of nest-box occupation by House Sparrow decreased sharply since 1980s, and opposite trend was observed for Tree Sparrow. These alterations are consistent with the general changes in both species populations in Warsaw in recent decades: decrease in House Sparrow and increase in Tree Sparrow number. The presented results suggest that loss of nest sites may not be the main reason of decrease in House Sparrow population in Warsaw. Additionally, House Sparrow decline leads to increase in nest sites (including nest-boxes) available for Tree Sparrow, what may contribute to the expansion of the latter species.

scholarly journals Talgoxens Parus major antal och häckningsbiologi – resultat av 25 års holkstudier

Ornis Svecica ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2–4) ◽  
pp. 123-132
Author(s):  
Jan Eric Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Recent Trend ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Significant Positive Trend ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Minimum Number

A nest-box population of Great Tits Parus major was followed in 1986–2010. Maximum number of breeding attempts was three times higher than the minimum number but there was no significant trend through 2005. The number of nest-boxes declined from 94 to 55 during the last five years making it difficult to interpret the recent trend but most likely there was an increase. 17% of the first breeding attempts failed and resulted in replacement clutches. The number of second clutches was 13% of the number of first clutches. There was no correlation between population size and winter temperature. There was no significant advancement of laying date in spite of the fact laying date was correlated with April temperature and that local April temperature showed a significant positive trend during the study period. Mean clutch size was 9.2 eggs. The number of fledglings was 4.65, which is low compared to other studies. Replacement and second clutches produced 4.37 fledglings. Both clutch size and number of fledglings declined during the study period.

scholarly journals No relationship between female emergence time from the roosting place and extrapair paternity

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 650-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotte Schlicht ◽  
Mihai Valcu ◽  
Peter Loës ◽  
Alexander Girg ◽  
Bart Kempenaers
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Emergence Time ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Extrapair Paternity ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract In several bird species, the period around dawn seems important for extrapair behavior. For example, a study on great tits (Parus major) showed that females that emerged earlier from their roosting place during the peak of their fertile period were more likely to have extrapair young in their brood. We investigated the potential effect of female emergence times on extrapair behavior in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). First, we tested the relationship between natural female emergence times from the nest-box and the presence or frequency of extrapair offspring in the brood, using 4 years of data. Females progressively emerged earlier from the nest-box as egg laying approached, with the earliest emergence 2 days before the start of laying. However, we found no relationship between female emergence time and the occurrence of extrapair young in the brood. Secondly, in 2 breeding seasons, we experimentally advanced female emergence times by supplying the roosting females with additional light in the early morning. Although the experiment had inconsistent effects on the occurrence of extrapair young in the brood, we found no evidence that female emergence time during peak fertility is directly linked to extrapair paternity. Interestingly, females exposed to artificial light were more likely to return to breed in the next year.

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 Use of landmarks for nest site choice and small-scale navigation to the nest in birds

Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 158 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 705-726
Author(s):  
Tore Slagsvold ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Ficedula Hypoleuca ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cyanistes Caeruleus ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Cavity Opening ◽  
Nest Site Choice ◽  
Blue Tits

Abstract Nest sites of animals are often concealed to keep vulnerable offspring from being detected by predators. Parents may use landmarks near the nest to relocate it quickly. We allowed blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) to choose between two nest boxes fixed on the same tree with either none, the same, or different white painted markings. Surprisingly, the female brought material to both boxes and sometimes laid eggs in both. In a second experiment, we let pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) and great tits (Parus major) become familiar with a marking on the initial nest box and then let them choose between two new nest boxes erected on different, nearby trees. Neither species preferred the box with the matching mark. In nature, the birds may locate the correct entrance of a cavity using other landmarks near the nest opening, like branches and the height of the cavity opening above the ground.

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.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of the Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) in Sardinia explained by land use and climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianpasquale Chiatante ◽  
Marta Giordano ◽  
Anna Vidus Rosin ◽  
Oreste Sacchi ◽  
Alberto Meriggi
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
European Population ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Study Sites

AbstractMore than half of the European population of the Barbary Partridge is in Sardinia; nonetheless, the researches concerning this species are very scarce, and its conservation status is not defined because of a deficiency of data. This research aimed to analyse the habitat selection and the factors affecting the abundance and the density of the Barbary Partridge in Sardinia. We used the data collected over 8 years (between 2004 and 2013) by spring call counts in 67 study sites spread on the whole island. We used GLMM to define the relationships between the environment (topography, land use, climate) both the occurrence and the abundance of the species. Moreover, we estimated population densities by distance sampling. The Barbary Partridge occurred in areas at low altitude with garrigue and pastures, avoiding woodlands and sparsely vegetated areas. We found a strong relationship between the occurrence probability and the climate, in particular, a positive relation with temperature and a negative effect of precipitation, especially in April–May, during brood rearing. Furthermore, dry crops positively affected the abundance of the species. We estimated a density of 14.1 partridges per km2, similar to other known estimates. Our findings are important both because they increase the knowledge concerning this species, which is considered data deficient in Italy, and because they are useful to plan management actions aimed to maintain viable populations if necessary.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document