A recipe for postfledging survival in great tits Parus major: be large and be early (but not too much). Issue 13 (8th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodríguez, Samuel; van Noordwijk, Arie J.; Álvarez, Elena; Barba, Emilio
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 6:Issue 13(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 4458
• Page End: 4467
• Publication Date: 2016-06-08
• Subjects: Breeding success -- Cormack–Jolly–Seber models -- fledging condition -- hyperthermia -- long‐term study; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Survival of juveniles during the postfledging period can be markedly low, which may have major consequences on avian population dynamics. Knowing which factors operating during the nesting phase affect postfledging survival is crucial to understand avian breeding strategies. We aimed to obtain a robust set of predictors of postfledging local survival using the great tit ( Parus major ) as a model species. We used mark–recapture models to analyze the effect of hatching date, temperatures experienced during the nestling period, fledging size and body mass on first‐year postfledging survival probability of great tit juveniles. We used data from 5192 nestlings of first clutches ringed between 1993 and 2010. Mean first‐year postfledging survival probability was 15.2%, and it was lower for smaller individuals, as well as for those born in either very early or late broods. Our results stress the importance of choosing an optimum hatching period, and raising large chicks to increase first‐year local survival probability in the studied population. Abstract : We used mark–recapture models to obtain a robust set of predictors of postfledging local survival using great tit as model species. First‐year postfledging survival probability was lower for smaller individuals, as well as those born in either very early or late broods. These results stress the importance of optimizing the hatching period and raising large chicks to increase first‐year local survival probability.