Incubation behaviour of the Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) in an alpine ecosystem of Central Europe

Abstract

Incubation behaviour of the Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) was investigated in mountainous conditions in Central Europe (the Krkonoše Mountains of the Czech Republic), in relation to the time of day and weather. Twenty-four-hour recordings of incubation behaviour were made with a time-lapse video recorder and mini-camera. The influences of year, nest, time of day, temperature, precipitation and previous bouts on session and recess duration were then analysed. The incubation behaviour of Meadow Pipits in general did not differ from the behaviour of other small female-only incubating passerines. Despite relatively cold climatic conditions in the study area, the mean length of sessions and recesses (19.69 and 5.53 min), as well as nest-attentiveness (77.19%), agreed with values which are most often found in other species. However, the Meadow Pipit incubation in the study area was, in terms of nest-attentiveness, more intensive than in other surveyed populations of this species. Incubation behaviour was strongly influenced by the time of day-incubating females increased nest-attentiveness during the morning and evening hours. After the time of day was filtered out, the influence of temperature was found only on sessions (not recesses). Sessions were the longest when the air temperature was approximately 12-16°C and shortened when the temperature was lower or higher. Precipitation forced female Meadow Pipits to take longer sessions and shorter recesses, which corresponds to their general tendency to give priority to the needs of the clutch ahead of their own temporary feeding needs.

Extended incubation recesses by alpine-breeding Horned Larks: a strategy for dealing with inclement weather?

“…Multiple factors, such as harsh weather events or poor‐quality food, could compel incubating birds to take long recesses (Holt 2002, Jia et al 2010). Extended recesses may also allow incubating adults to compensate for energy deficits after long on‐bouts (Kovařík et al 2009). In our study, extended recesses by female Horned Larks did not occur following long on‐bouts.…”

“…During periods of inclement weather, alpine‐breeding Eurasian Dotterels ( Charadrius morinellus ) in Scotland (Holt 2002), four passerine species in Norway (Haftorn 1988), and high‐elevation Dusky Flycatchers ( Empidonax oberholseri ) in California (Morton and Pereyra 1985) all deserted their nests for several hours at a time during incubation. Alternatively, recess duration is sometimes correlated with previous on‐bout duration (Kovařík et al 2009), and thus extended incubation recesses may also compensate for long bouts of nest attendance.…”

Does Threat to the Nest Affect Incubation Rhythm in a Small Passerine?

“…), the Czech Republic (50º44′N, 15º41′E). Meadow pipits in this area breed in alpine meadows and peat‐bogs at altitudes from 1300 to 1480 m (see Kovařík et al. 2009).…”

“…We chose to study meadow pipits ( Anthus pratensis ), a small (18 g), monogamous, ground‐nesting passerine in which only the female incubates (Cramp 1988). Feeding of the incubating female in the nest by the male is very rare at our study site (Kovařík et al. 2009).…”

Construction materials affect the hydrological properties of bird nests

“…Rainfall has the potential for waterlogging the nest, which may adversely affect its thermal insulation (Deeming & Campion, ), or chill eggs or nestlings (Heenan, ; Öberg et al ., ; Morganti et al ., ). Therefore, during periods of rainfall birds usually return to their nest and only leave their nests to feed (Skutch, ; Caldwell & Cornwell, ; Afton, ; Morton & Pereyra, ; Kovařík, Pavel & Chutný, ). Female European goldfinches ( Carduelis carduelis ) have been observed covering their nest with outspread wings to protect the eggs/nestlings within the nest (Bosch, ).…”