The winter roosting and awakening behaviour of captive great tits

Abstract

Summaryo1.Observations were made on the roosting and awakening behaviour of four captive Great Tits between October and February.2.These captive birds, which had super-abundant food, roosted earlier with respect to sunset than do wild Great Tits at the same time of year.3.The captive Great Tits went to roost earlier, relative to sunset, in Spring than in midwinter, as do wild ones. In two cases the tendency towards an earlier roosting time appeared before mid-winter.4.The dominant bird emerged at about the same time, relative to sunrise, from December to February-as do wild ones. The other birds, whose sexual behaviour was suppressed by the unnatural conditions, awoke progressively later.5.They tended to roost earlier and awaken later on dull days.6.The causal basis of the changes in roosting and awakening times are discussed. © 1953.