Use of materials in nest construction by Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca reflects localized habitat and geographical location

作者：Briggs Kevin B; Deeming D Charles

来源：Bird Study, 2016, 63(4): 516-524.

DOI：10.1080/00063657.2016.1238867

Capsule: Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca use different materials to construct their nests according to local availability and geographical location.Aims: This study tested the hypotheses that Pied Flycatcher nests were constructed from the leaves of different tree species in proportion to their occurrence within the breeding territories and that nest composition varied between geographical locations.Methods: In Lancashire, Pied Flycatcher nests were collected from nestboxes built in locations dominated by different tree species and were deconstructed to determine which materials were used.Results: The leaves found in nests generally reflected their availability within the locality of the territories rather than showing evidence of selective use of some leaf species. However, the use of moss was dominated by the use of one species in all but two nests. Nests from Lancashire were significantly different in composition when compared with published data for nests from north Wales and central Spain.Conclusion: Pied Flycatchers exhibit plasticity in nest construction behaviour because they were opportunistic in their choice of most leaves as nesting materials, although they may be selective in their choice of moss.

• 出版日期2016