Nest structure and breeding success in two tit species: a long-term study

Abstract

One of the most critical functions of nests in parids is thermal insulation, particularly during egg incubation by females and during the first week of the hatchlings’ life when they are poikilothermic. Several avian studies reported associations between aspects of breeding success and nest parameters. In this study, we present results regarding long-term (eleven breeding seasons) impact of nest parameters on breeding characteristics in Great Tits (Parus major) and Eurasian Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in a deciduous forest and an urban parkland study area. Our findings indicate that in Great Tits and Eurasian Blue Tits the number of fledglings (and in Eurasian Blue Tits also clutch size tended to be) was positively associated with lining mass and was influenced by the study area, with higher values observed in the forest. Additionally, there was a relationship between lining mass and higher hatching success in both tit species. We also demonstrated that both clutch size and number of fledglings were higher in Great Tits in the forest and in Eurasian Blue Tits the number of fledglings was higher in the forest. The study site also impacted hatching success, with Great Tits showing higher rates in the forest, and fledging success for Eurasian Blue Tits being higher in the forest. The number of fledglings differed between years in Great Tits and hatching success and fledging success differed between years in both Great and Eurasian Blue Tit species. We conclude that avian nests play an important role during reproduction, and the materials used to construct nests contribute to various functional properties. However, further studies are needed to establish clear relationships between nest parameters and breeding performance.