WHAT MAKES A GOOD NEST? BENEFITS OF NEST CHOICE TO FEMALE BAYA WEAVERS (PLOCEUS PHILIPPINUS)

Abstract

Abstract The nests of some birds are built exclusively by males and then displayed to females. In such species, one expects females to choose those nests that provide maximum safety to themselves and their offspring. What attributes of a nest should females use in making these choices? Here, I examine the correlates of nesting success in the Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus), a species in which males provide nests and little else. In particular, I examine which of two suites of nest attributes best predicts nesting success: nest location (which reflects male competitive ability) or nest architecture (which reflects male building skill). Because whether a nest has successfully fledged young is sometimes uncertain, I supplement generalized linear model analyses with survival analyses, which can incorporate ambiguity in nest fate. Together, these analyses reveal that nests built in thorny trees and woven with fine fiber have high success. Nesting success also increases with nest height and with thickness of ...