Behavioural plasticity under a changing climate; how an experimental local climate affects the nest construction of the zebra finchTaeniopygia guttata

Abstract

Successful reproduction in most avian species is dependent on the construction of a nest that provides protection and a suitable microclimate for the eggs and developing nestlings. Observational studies suggest that climatic variation may affect the structure of the nest, but to date there have been no attempts to experimentally determine the role that local climate plays in the construction of a suitable nest. Using a within‐individual counter balanced design we investigated how nest composition and construction differ in zebra finches breeding in ambient conditions of 18°C and 30°C. We found that at 18°C birds built nests that were over 20% heavier, and with significantly more thread and less grass than those built at 30°C. Our results highlight the degree of plasticity in nest building behaviour in relation to local ambient conditions. These results suggest that nest building behaviour is one route through which birds can respond to a changing climate and modify the microclimate of their nest in line with projected changes in ambient conditions.

Higher experimental ambient temperature decreases female incubation attentiveness in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and lower effort yields negligible energy savings

“…Similar nest modifications were also reported by a study that measured the nests produced by the pairs in this same experiment, showing a 20% nest mass reduction in the 30 °C treatment (Campbell et al . 2018). These results suggest that the concurrent contribution of behavioural adjustments in incubation pattern and nest‐building can prevent overheating and help in buffering clutches from the influence of environmental temperature.…”

“…This first attempt was interrupted on day 9 of incubation, when nests were removed for another study looking at temperature‐dependent variation in nest size and building material (Campbell et al . 2018). At this point, new rattan nesting baskets and material were provided and birds were allowed a second attempt where they could rebuild their nest, lay and incubate a new clutch, and raise a brood of chicks to independence.…”

Environmental conditions but not nest composition affect reproductive success in an urban bird

“…In general, nests built in cold conditions have better thermal insulation (Deeming et al, 2012), for example, at the beginning of the breeding season in temperate habitats (Mainwaring & Hartley, 2008), at high latitudes (Mainwaring et al, 2012(Mainwaring et al, , 2014, or at high altitudes (Heenan et al, 2015; but also see Schöll & Hille, 2014). There is, indeed, experimental evidence showing that birds can plastically adjust nest composition in response to shifting environmental conditions (Campbell et al, 2018), which is also supported by correlative studies (Deeming et al, 2012;McGowan et al, 2004).…”

It’s not all about temperature: breeding success also affects nest design

“…Flexibility in response to temperature in nest building has been demonstrated experimentally in captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Zebra finches that were housed at 18°C built heavier nests than when they were housed at 30°C (Campbell et al 2018), irrespective of the order in which they experienced the two temperatures. The authors concluded that birds built heavier nests in the cooler temperature in an attempt to retain heat within the nest, which would in turn aid reproductive success.…”

“…In this study, we therefore investigated the relationship between individual flexibility in nest morphology and reproductive success. Based on the Campbell et al (2018) experiment we expected birds to build bigger nests in cooler than in warmer ambient temperatures. Our experiments, however, differed in two key ways.…”