Urban tree composition is associated with breeding success of a passerine bird, but effects vary within and between years.

ABSTRACT: Birds breeding in urban environments have lower reproductive output compared to rural conspecifics, most likely because of food limitation. However, which characteristics of urban environments may cause this deficiency is not clear. Here, we investigated how tree composition within urban territories of passerine birds is associated with breeding probability and reproductive success. We used 7 years of data of breeding occupancy for blue and great tits (Cyanistes caeruleus; Parus major) and several reproductive traits for great tits, from 400 urban nest boxes located in 5 parks within the city of Malmö, Sweden. We found that tits, overall, were less likely to breed in territories dominated by either non-native trees or beech trees. Great tit chicks reared in territories dominated by non-nat

SUBMITTER: Jensen JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10038977 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature