Reproductive success and nestling diet in the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ( Picoides minor ): the early bird gets the caterpillar |
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Authors: | Eva Rossmanith Kerstin H?ntsch Niels Blaum and Florian Jeltsch |
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Institution: | (1) Institut für Biologie und Biochemie, Universit?t Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 3, 14469 Potsdam, Germany;(2) Naturstiftung David, Trommsdorffstr. 5, 99084 Erfurt, Germany |
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Abstract: | Populations of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Picoides minor) are decreasing in size, necessitating management strategies. However, data on the reproductive biology of this species are
scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of timing of breeding and nestling diet on the reproductive
success of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and thereby contribute to an understanding of the determinants influencing its reproductive
success. During 6 study years between 1996–2003, we investigated various variables of reproductive success in a Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker population in the Taunus low mountain range, Germany. We observed nestling feeding at breeding holes to assess
the composition of nestling diet and how it changes during the season. Clutch size, number of fledglings as well as body mass
of the nestlings declined with the start of egg laying. Pairs composed of individuals that had breed together in previous
years started egg laying earlier than newly established pairs. Nestling diet consisted mainly of aphids, caterpillars, craneflies
and wood-living larvae. The composition changed considerably within the breeding season in both early and late broods. However,
early broods were provided with caterpillars more frequently, whereas late broods received wood-dwelling larvae more often.
Our results suggest that Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers time their breeding so as to coincide with the early nestling stage with
the highest availability of caterpillars, since this is the time of highest energy demand. Moreover, food availability declines
during the breeding season, and the decline in reproductive performance seems to be an effect of this development. |
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Keywords: | Clutch size Nestling diet Picoides minor Reproductive success Timing of breeding |
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