Breeding ecology of tits using artificial nest boxes in coniferous and deciduous forests in Mt. Namsan, Seoul Metropolitan, Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted to elucidate the breeding ecology of tits in artificial nest boxes in both deciduous and coniferous forests located in Mt. Namsan, Seoul Metropolitan, Korea, from March to June 2012. Great tit Parus major and varied tit P. varius both used the artificial nest boxes in the coniferous forest, but only the great tit used the artificial nest boxes in the deciduous forest for breeding. There were 27 artificial nest boxes in the coniferous forest and 17 in the deciduous forest. The rate of breeding success was 6.7–26.7% for both study sites. The clutch size of varied tits was less than that of great tits. Brood size, incubation period and nestling care period were the same for great and varied tits in the coniferous forest. There were no differences related to forest type for number of breeding pairs, breeding behaviors, egg measurements, and results of hatching, fledgling and breeding for great tits bred in artificial nest boxes. Long-term ecological research on food availability and breeding success of tits is needed for the conservation of these birds and their habitats.