Effect of begging call playbacks on growth of great tit, Parus major, nestlings

Abstract

This study was conducted to clarify the effects of begging call playbacks on the growth of great tit, Parus major, nestlings in artificial nest boxes. The mean body mass of nestlings significantly differed between the control (60 dB playback intensity), playback 1 (80 dB), and playback 2 (100 dB) groups. However, mean tarsus length was not different based on treatment. The daily body mass and tarsus length gain of nestlings in playback 2 were higher than in the control and playback 1 groups in this study. Further long-term research is needed to understand the relationship between begging behavior of nestlings and parental care in the great tit. © 2014 © 2014 Korean Forest Society.