Plastering mud around the entrance hole affects the estimation of threat levels from nest predators in Eurasian Nuthatches

Avian Research

Jiyuan Yao¹  Jiangping Yu²  Li Zhang²  Haitao Wang³  Chao Shen⁴  Guodong Yi⁵  Jian Fang⁵  Keqin Zhang⁶ 

[1] College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, 130118, Changchun, China;Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, 130024, Changchun, China;Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, 130024, Changchun, China;Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 130024, Changchun, China;Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 130024, Changchun, China;School of Life Sciences, Jilin Normal University, 136000, Siping, China;School of Zoological Science, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, 132109, Jilin, China;

关键词: Cavity-nesting birds;    Entrance-hole size;    Eurasian Nuthatches;    Nest defence behaviour;    Nest predator;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40657-021-00294-1

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundFor cavity-nesting birds, the nest entrance plays an important role in preventing predators from accessing nests. Several species of nuthatches use mud to narrow the entrance of cavities. In theory, the smaller the entrance hole size, the more effective it is against predators; however, few studies have tested whether narrowing the entrance hole size can affect the estimation of threat levels from nest predators in cavity-nesting birds.MethodsUsing dummy experiments, we tested whether Eurasian Nuthatches (Sitta europaea, narrow the entrance hole of cavities) and Cinereous Tits (Parus cinereus, do not narrow the entrance hole, as a control) perform different nest defence behaviours against Common Chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus, small nest predator) and Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, larger nest predator).ResultsBoth nuthatches and tits exhibited stronger response behaviours (high dummy response scores) against chipmunks than against squirrels. Compared with tits, nuthatches exhibited more aggressive behaviours to chipmunks, but their responses to squirrels were similar.ConclusionsNest defence behaviours of nuthatches to chipmunks differed from tits, and the results suggested that nuthatches might estimate threat levels of nest predators according to their narrowed entrance-hole size.

【 授权许可】

CC BY