A1 Journal article (refereed)
Breeding near heterospecifics as a defence against brood parasites : can redstarts lower probability of cuckoo parasitism using neighbours? (2022)

Moreras, A., Tolvanen, J., Tornberg, R., Mönkkönen, M., Forsman, J. T., & Thomson, R. L. (2022). Breeding near heterospecifics as a defence against brood parasites : can redstarts lower probability of cuckoo parasitism using neighbours?. Oecologia, 199(4), 871-883. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-022-05242-4

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Moreras, Angela; Tolvanen, Jere; Tornberg, Risto; Mönkkönen, Mikko; Forsman, Jukka T.; Thomson, Robert L.

Journal or series: Oecologia

ISSN: 0029-8549

eISSN: 1432-1939

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 18/08/2022

Volume: 199

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 871-883

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-022-05242-4

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82828

Abstract

Breeding habitat choice based on the attraction to other species can provide valuable social information and protection benefits. In birds, species with overlapping resources can be a cue of good quality habitats; species with shared predators and/or brood parasites can increase joint vigilance or cooperative mobbing, while raptors may provide a protective umbrella against these threats. We tested whether the migratory common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is attracted to breed near active nests of the great tit (Parus major), a keystone-information source for migrant passerine birds, or a top predator, the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). This system is unique to test these questions because the redstart is a regular host for the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Therefore, we also evaluated other possible benefits coming from the heterospecific attraction, especially in terms of reducing brood parasitism risk. We monitored redstart occupancy rates, onset of breeding, reproductive investment, and followed nest outcomes in terms of brood parasitism, nest predation risk and overall reproductive success. Redstarts avoided breeding near goshawks, but showed neither attraction nor avoidance to breed next to great tits. Both neighbours neither reduced brood parasitism risk nor affected overall nesting success in redstarts. Redstarts may not use heterospecific attraction for settlement decisions, as associations with other species can only exist when some benefits are gained. Thus, environmental cues may be more important than social information for redstarts when breeding habitat choice. Other front-line defence strategies may have a better impact reducing breeding negative interactions, such brood parasitism.

Keywords: birds; animal behaviour; reproductive behaviour; nesting (reproductive behaviour)

Free keywords: nest-site choice; frontline defence; heterospecific attraction; reproductive success; interspecific interaction

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2