Nest-building males trade off material collection costs with territory value
Ida E. Bailey A E , Kate V. Morgan A , H. Dieter Oschadleus B , Stacy L. DeRuiter C , Simone L. Meddle D and Susan D. Healy A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, UK.
B Animal Demography Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
C Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, KY16 9TH, UK.
D The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH, UK.
E Corresponding author. Email: idaelizabeth@postmaster.co.uk
Emu 116(1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU15022
Submitted: 25 February 2015 Accepted: 4 November 2015 Published: 25 January 2016
Journal Compilation © BirdLife Australia 2016
Abstract
Building a structurally robust nest is crucial for reproductive success in many birds. However, we know little about the criteria birds use to select material or where they go to collect it. Here we observed the material collection of male Cape Weavers (Ploceus capensis). Males typically selected long, strong material to build their nests and each male collected material from different locations. Males that built more nests nested in a different area of the colony and flew further to collect nest material than did males that built fewer nests. As these males that flew further to collect material had longer tails and wings and attracted more females to their territories than did males that flew shorter distances, they may have traded off the travel costs of collecting nest materials with benefits gained from holding a territory in a more ‘desirable’ part of the colony. Nest construction, then, appears to be a multi-dimensional task whereby birds take into account material’s structural properties, material proximity to the nest site and territory quality. Males that do this effectively both attract more mates and provide structurally sound nests for their young.
Additional keywords: distance, flight costs, individuality, location, material properties, weaverbirds.
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