NDLI: Breeding success of the Great Tit Parus major in relation to attributes of natural nest cavities in a primeval forest

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Maziarz, Marta Wesołowski, Tomasz Hebda, Grzegorz Cholewa, Marta Broughton, Richard K.
Copyright Year	2015
Abstract	An overlap in attributes of nest cavities used by Great Tit Parus major across Eurasia suggests similar nest site preferences within the geographical range, although the drivers of these preferences are unclear. To determine whether preferred cavities provide conditions enhancing successful reproduction, we investigated the breeding performance of Great Tits in relation to tree cavity characteristics using data collected during 2008–2011 in primeval conditions (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Here, tree cavities are diverse and superabundant but nesting birds are at risk from a variety of predators. According to expectations, nest losses were high (60 % of Great Tit nests failed), mostly due to predation (69 % of nest failures). The risk of nest failure varied with nest cavity attributes. Compared to successful nests, failures were situated higher above the ground and placed closer to the cavity entrance. Very deep cavities with narrow entrances and strong livings walls provided effective protection against larger predators (e.g., martens, woodpeckers), unable to enter the cavity or pull out the contents. Yet, such holes were no barrier for the smallest predators (e.g., Forest Dormouse Dryomys nitedula), which were able to enter any Great Tit nest cavity and destroyed most of the nests. Avoiding small predators would give a selective advantage to the birds, but this seems hardly possible to achieve. We conclude that tree cavities preferred by the tits show a combination of properties which are a compromise for avoiding predation (the strongest selective pressure) and providing the minimum requirements (sufficient nest illumination, microclimate, protection against nest soaking) for development and growth of young. Bruterfolg bei der Kohlmeise und ihr Zusammenhang mit Eigenschaften natürlicher Nisthöhlen in einem Urwald Überschneidungen in den Eigenschaften von Nisthöhlen von Kohlmeisen (Parus major) in ganz Eurasien legen ähnliche Präferenzen für Nistplätze innerhalb dieses geographischen Gebiets nahe, wobei allerdings die Grundlagen für diese Präferenzen unklar sind. Um festzustellen, ob bevorzugte Höhlen Bedingungen bieten, die für die Fortpflanzung förderlich sind, untersuchten wir den Bruterfolg von Kohlmeisen im Zusammenhang mit Charakteristika der Baumhöhlen anhand von Daten, die zwischen 2008 und 2011 in einem Urwald aufgenommen wurden (Białowieża National Park, Polen). Hier sind Baumhöhlen divers und mehr als genug vorhanden, aber die nistenden Vögel stehen unter dem Druck verschiedenster Prädatoren. Entsprechend der Erwartungen waren die Nestverluste hoch (60 % der Nester gingen verloren), meistens aufgrund von Prädation (69 % der Nestverluste). Das Risiko für einen Nestverlust hing zusammen mit Eigenschaften der Nisthöhlen. Im Vergleich zu erfolgreichen Nestern, lagen verlorengegangene Nester höher über Grund und näher am Eingang der Höhle. Sehr tiefe Höhlen mit schmalen Eingängen und dicken Wänden stellten einen effektiven Schutz gegen größere Prädatoren (z.B. Marder, Spechte) dar, die dort nicht in der Lage waren, in die Höhle zu gelangen oder ihren Inhalt herauszuziehen. Allerdings stellten solche Eingänge kein Hindernis dar für die kleinsten Prädatoren (z.B. den Baumschläfer Dryomys nitedula), die in der Lage waren, in jedes beliebige Kohlmeisennest einzudringen, so dass die Zerstörung der meisten Nester zu ihren Lasten geht. Die kleinen Prädatoren zu meiden, würde für die Vögel einen Selektionsvorteil bedeuten, aber das scheint kaum erreichbar zu sein. Wir schließen daraus, dass die von Kohlmeisen bevorzugten Nisthöhlen eine Kombination von Eigenschaften aufweisen, die einen Kompromiss darstellen zwischen Vermeidung von Prädation (dem stärksten selektiven Druck) und der Bereitstellung der minimalen Voraussetzungen für Entwicklung und Wachstum der Jungvögel (ausreichendes Licht im Nest, Mikroklima, Schutz gegen Überschwemmung des Nests).
Starting Page	343
Ending Page	354
Page Count	12
File Format	PDF
ISSN	21937192
Journal	Journal für Ornithologie
Volume Number	157
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	21937206
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publisher Date	2015-09-10
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Tree cavities Nest site selection Adaptations Nest predation Clutch size Białowieża National Park Zoology Ecology Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article

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