Study

Clutch size and breeding success of pied and collared flycatchers Ficedula spp. in nest-boxes of different sizes

  • Published source details Gustafsson L. & Nilsson S.G. (1985) Clutch size and breeding success of pied and collared flycatchers Ficedula spp. in nest-boxes of different sizes. Ibis, 127, 380-385.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Provide artificial nesting sites for songbirds

    Three replicated trial in 1982-3 in woodlands in Sweden (Gustafsson & Nilsson 1985), found that pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca and collared flycatchers F. albicollis had significantly larger clutches in larger nest boxes, whereas the effect on fledging success was less clear. A study with four nest box designs in a mixed wood in Kronobergs found that pied flycatchers laid larger clutches in larger nest boxes (6.4 eggs/clutch for 36 clutches in boxes with 57 cm2 basal area; 6.5 eggs/clutch for 62 in 87 cm2; 6.6 eggs/clutch for 16 in 104 cm2 and 7.0 for eight in 125 cm2). Fledging success was lowest in the smallest boxes (51%), highest (79%) in the second smallest and intermediate in the other designs (57% and 62%). Two trials in deciduous woods on Gotland found that collared flycatchers had smaller clutches in small boxes in 1982 only (5.6-5.7 eggs/clutch vs. 6.1-6.2 eggs/clutch). Fledging success was higher in normal boxes in one wood, but higher in smaller boxes in the other wood.

     

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