Limitation of Reproductive Success by Food Availability and Breeding Time in Pied Flycatchers

Abstract

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Effect of food abundance on laying date and clutch size in the White StorkCiconia ciconia

“…The seasonal decline in clutch size near rubbish dumps was negligible (1991) or much smaller than in the control zone (1996), suggesting that the progressive deterioration of natural food sources as the season advances may be the cause (at least in part) of the seasonal decline in clutch size, as also found by Siikamäki (1998) and Korpimäki & Wiehn (1998).…”

Large-scale variation in the temporal patterns of the frass fall of defoliating caterpillars in oak woodlands in Britain: implications for nesting woodland birds

“…These caterpillars, largely the larvae of macro-and micromoths, have a short peak of abundance in the few weeks after leaf opening of deciduous trees. Many woodland breeding birds are thought to have adapted their egg-laying dates such that the period when they are feeding their young corresponds to the caterpillar peak (Perrins 1970, 1979, 1991, Siikamäki 1998, van Balen 1973. Oak (Quercus) trees are particularly important as they hold especially high densities of defoliators compared with other species (Veen et al 2010).…”

The impact of soil texture on the selection of nesting sites by the Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedinidae: Alcedo cristata Pallas 1764)

“…Previous studies on the selection of nesting sites in the Malachite Kingfisher emphasised the importance of perch availability (Monadjemand Owen-Smith 1994, Siikamäki 1998, Bonnington et al 2007, water depth and transparency (Douthwaite 1976, Eriksson 1985, Martin 1987, prey availability and disturbance levels (Woodall 1991, Libois and Laudelout 2004, Imboma and Nalianya 2007. The results of the present study further suggest that, as has been documented in other burrowing bird species (Heneberg 2009), soil texture determines the selection of nesting sites in the Malachite Kingfisher.…”

“…In total, 56 sites exhibiting appropriate habitat conditions for the Malachite Kingfisher, including presence of perches (Monadjem and Owen-Smith 1994, Siikamäki 1998, Bonnington et al 2007), prey availability (Woodall 1991, Libois andLaudelout 2004), water with low turbidity levels (Douthwaite 1976, Eriksson 1985, Martin 1987) and slow runoff (Peris and Rodriguez 1996) were surveyed. A soil sample of 500 g was collected at each site for subsequent analysis of granulometry.…”