Playback of male song advanced onset of nest building but not initial egg date or breeding synchrony in the Great Tit Parus major

Abstract

Social stimulation can hasten and synchronize breeding in colonial species. However, whether it affects reproductive timing in territorial species, or whether social stimuli from different sexes are important remains largely unknown. Vocalizations of both sexes were played back in Great Tits. Females exposed to male songs built nests earlier, but did not lay earlier or breed more synchronously, while female calls had no effect. This study demonstrated social stimuli from males influenced nest building. In contrast to colonial species, laying date and breeding synchrony may be affected by other external cues in the Great Tits.