Breeding biology of the Cyprus Coal Tit (Periparus ater cypriotes) in the coniferous Paphos Forest, Cyprus, over a 9-year period

Abstract

We studied the breeding biology of the endemic Cyprus Coal Tit (Periparus ater cypriotes) using artificial nest boxes in a coniferous forest from March through May 2010 to 2018. In total, 202 breeding pairs utilized the nest boxes, with a mean number of 22.2 pairs per year. The highest number of nests was observed in 2017, with 38 occupied nest boxes, reflecting a significant fivefold increase compared to 8 occupied nest boxes in 2011. Breeding attempts were not affected by temperature or precipitation prior to and during the breeding period. Average clutch size was 6.2±1.2 eggs and average brood size 6.1±1.2 young. Additionally, 51 pairs of Great Tit (Parus major aphrodite) bred in the nest boxes with a mean number of 5.7±1.66 pairs per year. Nest composition of the two species was similar, although Cyprus Coal Tits built heavier nests, composed of double the percentage of wool and feathers (60%) compared to Great Tits (33%).