Time budgets of Nuthatches Sitta europaea with supplementary food

Abstract

Individual time budgets during winter and spring were studied in a population of Nuthatches Sitta europaea in south‐central Sweden. In late winter birds spent about 90% of daytime foraging, males feeding somewhat less than females, possibly due to male dominance. In early spring, foraging time decreased to about 65% of daytime activity, and sex‐related differences became more pronounced. Males then increased time spent resting and singing. Females were nestbuilding, spent less time resting and also devoted more time to foraging than did males. Prior to the observation periods, food density for part of the population was experimentally increased by supplying sunflower seed. In spite of this, time budgets in the experimental group were similar to those of the control group. It is possible that the intensity of foraging, rather than actual time devoted to it, was influenced by food density and that, as a result, birds in the experimental group were able to maintain a higher level of vigilance. Also, an increase in food supply may be less important to a hoarding bird such as the Nuthatch. However, the result remains that Nuthatch time budgets in winter and spring are not readily influenced by an increase in food density.