Great variability in nest lining size: support for thermoregulation but not for anti-predatory adaptation hypothesis

• Published in: Journal of ornithology Vol. 160; no. 4; pp. 993 - 1002
• Main Authors: Kubelka, Vojtěch, Sládeček, Martin, Šálek, Miroslav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: antipredatory behavior; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Birds; breeding; Czech Republic; Defensive behavior; Ecology; Eggs; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Hypotheses; Life Sciences; Microclimate; mortality; Nests; Original Article; Predation; Predators; risk; Thermoregulation; Vanellus vanellus; Zoology; Czech Republic; Shorebirds; Nest site moisture; Nest predation; Microclimate; Northern lapwing; Ground-nesting bird

Nest lining is a key component in nests of many bird species. Among ground-nesting birds with open nests, it usually consists of dry sticks and stalks creating a thermoregulatory insulating layer for the eggs. However, a bigger nest lining can attract predators and increase nest mortality. The facto...