Abstract
The red-backed shrike Lanius collurio is an open-cup nesting passerine bird, which protects its nest aggressively attacking predators near the nest. The response of parents to a human observer was investigated during the nesting period 1999–2001 in Poland. The intensity of nest defence increased as the breeding cycle progressed in accordance to the offspring value hypothesis. However, we did not find an increase in the level of aggression according to the number of offspring and the time of season. Contrary to previous predictions, we did not find gender differences in nest defence. More aggressive parents, both females and males, have significantly better breeding success than quieter individuals.
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Acknowledgements
We thank M. Antczak, K. Halupka, M. Hromada, A. Surmacki, and S. Kuźniak for comments on the manuscript. Financial support was provided by the Adam Mickiewicz University (grant 516 00 001 to PT) and the University of Podlasie (grant 75/94/S to AG).
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Tryjanowski, P., Goławski, A. Sex differences in nest defence by the red-backed shrike Lanius collurio: effects of offspring age, brood size, and stage of breeding season. J Ethol 22, 13–16 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-003-0096-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-003-0096-9