Breeding microhabitat selection by great tits Parus major in a deciduous primeval forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland)

Maziarz, Marta ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2921-5713; Broughton, Richard K.. 2015 Breeding microhabitat selection by great tits Parus major in a deciduous primeval forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Bird Study, 62 (3). 358-367. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2015.1050994

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Abstract/Summary

Capsule: Great Tits breeding in natural cavities in a primeval forest occupied microhabitats containing larger trees, but small differences between ‘breeding’ and ‘non-breeding’ locations indicated the minor importance of microhabitat selection in nest-placement decisions. Aims: We tested whether Great Tits breeding in primeval conditions used vegetation composition to choose breeding patches. Methods: Great Tit territories and nest-trees were mapped in two study areas in deciduous, old-growth forest. We compared tree species composition, tree girth and condition between ‘breeding’ and ‘non-breeding’ plots. Results: Great Tit territories were tightly packed, filling most of the available area. Vegetation composition in ‘breeding’ and ‘non-breeding’ plots differed only for trees that could potentially harbour Great Tit nest-cavities; ‘breeding’ plots contained larger trees. The distribution of Great Tit nests varied between years, with some ‘non-breeding’ patches in one year becoming ‘breeding’ ones in another. Conclusion: It seems unlikely that nest-placement decisions by Great Tits are constrained by the microhabitat quality under primeval conditions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2015.1050994
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pywell
ISSN:	0006-3657
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	16 Jun 2015 11:04 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/511050

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