Nest Site Selection Research Articles

Symbiotic acacia ants drive nesting behavior by birds in an African savanna

AbstractMutualisms between plants and ants are common features of tropical ecosystems around the globe and can have cascading effects on interactions with the ecological communities in which they occur. In an African savanna, we assessed whether acacia ants influence nest site selection by tree‐nesting birds. Birds selected nest sites in trees inhabited by ant species that vigorously defend against browsing mammals. Future research could address the extent to which hatching and fledging rates depend on the species of ant symbiont, and why ants tolerate nesting birds but no other tree associates (especially insects).Abstract in Swahili is available with online material.

Timing of reed management affects habitat use and breeding success in Great Reed Warblers: A field experiment on agricultural drainage canals

Freshwater wetlands and their biodiversity have suffered substantial losses globally, mainly due to the drainage of wetlands for agriculture. Recent studies suggest that small drainage and/or irrigation canals established in lowland areas can function both as partial replacement of wetlands lost and as biodiversity hotspots in agricultural landscapes. However, small canals are usually not protected or managed for biodiversity. We studied whether and how the timing of reed management (removal in winter, in spring, no removal) on small canals affects nest site selection and breeding success in Great Reed Warblers, Acrocephalus arundinaceus, a flagship species of small canals in an intensive agricultural landscape in a five-year quasi-experiment. We found significantly more nests in winter-managed than in non-managed canal sections and hardly any in spring-managed sections. The number of nests also increased with the proportion of reed removed and with reed density. Breeding success measured as the probability of fledging chicks was positively influenced by reed density only and was not affected by management type, nesting height, water depth and water level fluctuation. Reed density had a central role as it mediated the effect of management both on nest site selection and breeding success, likely through better concealment of the nests from predators. Our results suggest that winter management should be favored as much as possible in the conservation of Great Reed Warblers and other reed-nesting passerines, whereas spring management should be avoided as it results in a complete lack of reed or poorly grown reed unsuitable for nest-building by the start of the breeding season. Our study draws attention to the importance of proper management of small canals that can serve as local hotspots of biodiversity in heavily human-modified landscapes, and which thus deserve more conservation attention than they currently have.

Twenty‐five years of change in forest structure and nesting behavior of Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio

Long‐term ecological studies are invaluable for detecting changes over time. Forest restoration has been a conservation priority in Hawaiʻi, where invasive species have negatively impacted native bird habitat. During 1993–1994, a study was conducted of Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) nest site selection and forest composition in mesic montane forest along Mauna Loa Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. We returned to the site and repeated the methods used in the earlier study to record Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio nest site selection (tree species, tree and nest height, and tree girth [diameter at breast height, DBH]) from 2015 to 2017, and measured forest composition (tree density, relative abundance, height, and DBH) in 2019. Three times as many nests were found in ʻaʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa) as in koa (Acacia koa) in both time periods. Heights of koa and ʻaʻaliʻi did not change, but their DBH increased over time. The relative height of nests in ʻaʻaliʻi trees did not change, but nests in koa were placed higher in the crown during the later study. Overall tree density increased from 1,619 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1,499–1,740) trees/ha to 2,583 (95% CI = 2,176–3,096) trees/ha. Koa relative abundance was 53% of total trees earlier and 45% later, ʻaʻaliʻi remained at 47%, and māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) increased from 0 to 8% over time. Our results indicate that changes in forest composition affect nesting behavior, but in ways that are not necessarily simple or consistent.

Forty years of monitoring increasing sea turtle relative abundance in the Gulf of Mexico

Longitudinal data sets for population abundance are essential for studies of imperiled organisms with long life spans or migratory movements, such as marine turtles. Population status trends are crucial for conservation managers to assess recovery effectiveness. A direct assessment of population growth is the enumeration of nesting numbers and quantifying nesting attempts (successful nests/unsuccessful attempts) and emergence success (number of hatchlings leaving the nest) because of the substantial annual variations due to nest placement, predation, and storm activity. We documented over 133,000 sea turtle crawls for 50.9 km of Florida Gulf of Mexico coastline from 1982 to 2021 for a large loggerhead turtle nesting aggregation and a recovering remnant population of green sea turtles. Over time both species have emerged to nest significantly earlier in the year and green sea turtle nesting seasons have extended. Nest counts and hatchling production for both species have significantly increased, but the rate of emergence success of hatchlings leaving nests has not changed for loggerheads and has declined for green sea turtles. Sea level rise and coastal developments undoubtedly influence coastal habitats in the long-term, impacting nest site selection and potential recruitment from the loss of emerged hatchlings. However, the present indications for steady Gulf of Mexico recovery of loggerhead and green sea turtles counter findings of the Florida Atlantic coasts. This study indicates that effective conservation practices can be detected within time scales of 1–2 turtle generations.

Beyond overlap: Considering habitat preference and fitness outcomes in the umbrella species concept.

Umbrella species and other surrogate-species approaches to conservation provide an appealing framework to extend the reach of conservation efforts beyond single species. For the umbrella species concept to be effective, populations of multiple species of concern must persist in areas protected on behalf of the umbrella species. Most assessments of the concept, however, focus exclusively on geographic overlap among umbrella and background species, and not measures that affect population persistence (e.g., habitat quality or fitness). We quantified the congruence between the habitat preferences and nesting success of a high-profile umbrella species (greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, hereafter "sage-grouse"), and three sympatric species of declining songbirds (Brewer's sparrow Spizella breweri, sage thasher Oreoscoptes montanus, and vesper sparrow Pooecetes gramineus) in central Wyoming, USA during 2012 - 2013. We used machine-learning methods to create data-driven predictions of sage-grouse nest-site selection and nest survival probabilities by modeling field-collected sage-grouse data relative to habitat attributes. We then used field-collected songbird data to assess whether high-quality sites for songbirds aligned with those of sage-grouse. Nest sites selected by songbirds did not coincide with sage-grouse nesting preferences, with the exception that Brewer's sparrows preferred similar nest sites to sage-grouse in 2012. Moreover, the areas that produced higher rates of songbird nest survival were unrelated to those for sage-grouse. Our findings suggest that management actions at local scales that prioritize sage-grouse nesting habitat will not necessarily enhance the reproductive success of sagebrush-associated songbirds. Measures implemented to conserve sage-grouse and other purported umbrella species at broad spatial scales likely overlap the distribution of many species, however, broad-scale overlap may not translate to fine-scale conservation benefit beyond the umbrella species itself. The maintenance of microhabitat heterogeneity important for a diversity of species of concern will be critical for a more-holistic application of the umbrella species concept.

Habitat geometry rather than visual acuity limits the visibility of a ground-nesting bird's clutch to terrestrial predators.

The nests of ground-nesting birds rely heavily on camouflage for their survival, and predation risk, often linked to ecological changes from human activity, is a major source of mortality. Numerous ground-nesting bird populations are in decline, so understanding the effects of camouflage on their nesting behavior is relevant to their conservation concerns. Habitat three-dimensional (3D) geometry, together with predator visual abilities, viewing distance, and viewing angle, determine whether a nest is either visible, occluded, or too far away to detect. While this link is intuitive, few studies have investigated how fine-scale geometry is likely to help defend nests from different predator guilds. We quantified nest visibility based on 3D occlusion, camouflage, and predator visual modeling in northern lapwings, Vanellus vanellus, on different land management regimes. Lapwings selected local backgrounds that had a higher 3D complexity at a spatial scale greater than their entire clutches compared to local control sites. Importantly, our findings show that habitat geometry-rather than predator visual acuity-restricts nest visibility for terrestrial predators and that their field habitats, perceived by humans as open, are functionally closed with respect to a terrestrial predator searching for nests on the ground. Taken together with lapwings' careful nest site selection, our findings highlight the importance of considering habitat geometry for understanding the evolutionary ecology and management of conservation sites for ground-nesting birds.

Landscape factors influencing bird nest site selection in urban green spaces

IntroductionUnderstanding the birds’ breeding strategies in urban habitats is vital for ensuring their continued existence. Therefore, more research must be conducted on bird breeding and urban adaptation strategies in urban green spaces. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the influence of landscape factors on the selection of bird nest sites. MethodsData on the presence and absence of magpie (Pica pica) and gray magpie (Cyanopica cyana) nests were collected through field surveys conducted in the campus of Nanjing Forestry University during the 2023 breeding season. Generalized additive models (GAMs) incorporating landscape variables were employed to assess the effects of these predictors on nest occurrence. The model with the lowest Akaike’s information criterion value was selected among the candidate GAMs.ResultsBelow is a summary of the main results. Nest tree height (TH), distance from the central lawn (D), and tree coverage (TC) within the sampled area were identified as the primary landscape factors influencing nest site choice. Conversely, factors such as the shortest distance to the water source, herb coverage, shrub coverage, percentage of buildings, and percentage of hard pavement did not significantly impact on nest site selection. Furthermore, the nesting potential of magpies and grey magpies initially increased with tree height, reaching a maximum at ca. TH=25 meters after which it began to decline. The nesting occurrence rate showed an initial decrease tendency with increasing distance from the central lawn, reaching a minimum at D=400 meters, and then increased with further distance. Additionally, nesting potential decreased initially with increasing of TC in the range of 0–20%, fluctuated evenly between 20–60% TC, and decreased rapidly when TC exceeded 60%.DiscussionThis study provides valuable insights into the selection of nest sites by birds in urban habitats, specifically with respect to landscape factors. The understanding of the impact of urban green spaces on urban birds and the underlying mechanisms of their behavior contributes to the conservation of wild birds and promotes the harmonious development of urban areas.

Influence of landfill use on nest‐site selection and breeding success in white storks

AbstractLandscape transformation by humans through habitat degradation, agriculture intensification and urbanization results in the loss of natural feeding areas. However, populations of certain species have adapted to these changes and benefit from some anthropogenic food sources as well as an absence of predators and milder environmental conditions in urban landscapes. Although breeding near landfills secures food availability and saves energy and time spent on foraging activities, the poor food quality and risks associated with these facilities imply some fitness costs. Our study shows the effects of landfills on nest‐site selection and breeding success in white storks (Ciconia ciconia). Birds breeding near landfills occupy more urban areas where many structures are available to nest, while breeding pairs 20–30 km from landfills select nest sites with high‐quality food sources in the vicinity such as pastures, meadows and agro‐forestry areas. Furthermore, we demonstrate that habitat quality in the surrounding area is more relevant than landfills for breeding outcomes, but both of these are crucial for brood size. The number of fledglings was higher at a medium distance to the landfill than at 20–30 km from the landfill, but not near the landfill (0–10 km). This suggests that the best strategy includes food from landfills as a complementary or alternative food source. Future studies should further investigate if these shifts in habitat preference are permanent, and the potential impact of habitat degradation and landfill closures at a population level, for this species.

Facets of the nesting ecology of a ground-nesting bird, the Spotted Thick-knee, in an urban mosaic landscape

Ground-nesting bird species are typically threatened when their natural habitats are removed or altered through urbanisation. Despite this, some species, like the Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis), persist in urban mosaic landscapes. Our study was undertaken to collect novel information on Spotted Thick-knee persistence in an urban mosaic landscape by investigating facets of its nesting ecology in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. We collected Spotted Thick-knee nesting and nest site data between July 2019 and December 2020. We conducted direct observations at 33 nest sites, and additional remote monitoring with camera traps at eight nest sites. Spotted Thick-knee breeding pairs showed select habitat and nest-site preferences (greater use of shrub-like species for nest-site placement, more grass cover, shorter grass, and flatter slopes at nest sites) compared with random sites. Successful nesting outcomes were significantly greater than failed nesting outcomes. Incubation activity was significantly longer during the day, and incubation activity had a significant adverse relationship with disturbance in human-modified habitats. Land use and human activity influenced nest-site selection and survival of nests. Spotted Thick-knee used residential gardens and recreational areas as nest sites in the urban mosaic, although nests were more successful in residential gardens. They used shrub-like vegetation as nest-cover structures, possibly because of added protection from extreme weather or less visual detection. Risks associated with nesting in human-modified habitats included increased threats from domestic animals and incubation activity costs because of disturbance around nest sites. There are relatively few studies on ground-nesting birds in urban areas, so further research is needed to determine how our results compare with other species.

Nest success of ground-nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah.

The number of ground-nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah has drastically decreased in the past few decades. A potential cause for this decline is the increase of predator species and their abundances, which has caused most nests to fail from depredation. Ground-nesting ducks may be able to reduce the risk of nest depredation by selecting nest sites where local physical structures or vegetation provides olfactory or visual concealment. To test this, we used logistic exposure models to look at the effect of nest-site characteristics on daily survival rates (DSRs) of nests during 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah. We found 825 duck nests including 458 cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera), 166 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and 201 gadwalls (Mareca strepera). DSRs were 0.9714 ± 0.0019 in 2019, 0.9282 ± 0.0049 in 2020, and 0.8274 ± 0.0185 in 2021. Survival rates varied among years but not among duck species. Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) were responsible for 85% of depredated nests. Nests located near other duck nests had higher DSRs than more dispersed nests. Neither visual nor olfactory characteristics correlated with increased DSRs based on AICc analysis. Nests located inside a mixed nesting colony of American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and common terns (Sterna hirundo) had higher DSRs than duck nests outside the colony. Increased nesting densities of ducks and other colonial waterbirds had the greatest impact on nesting success. Increased nest density may be encouraged through early spring green-up.

Personality-dependent nest site selection and nest success during incubation in wild chestnut thrushes

In birds, little is known about how individuals choose nest sites based on their personality traits. Here, we investigate whether a female's personality (activity and breathing rate) can affect patterns of nest site selection at different spatial scales in a wild population of chestnut thrush (Turdus rubrocanus) and determine whether nest site characteristics and female personality traits affect clutch size and nest success during incubation. We found that neither activity nor breathing rate were associated with large-scale nesting habitat variables. At the fine-scale level, more active females chose nest sites with greater nest lateral concealment. Females with higher breathing rates laid smaller clutch sizes than individuals with lower breathing rates. Nests of females with lower breathing rate had higher nest success during incubation. This work highlights the relationships between personality and nest site selection in birds, and the important role of female personality traits in reproductive success.

Preferred nesting habitat of the slow-breeding Superb Lyrebird is rare and was disproportionately impacted by Australia’s “Black Summer” megafires (2019–2020) within a World Heritage Area

Abstract Understanding nest site selection is critical to developing effective conservation management actions. The Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is one of many endemic species extensively impacted by Australia’s unprecedented 2019–2020 megafires. Over a period of 5 months, an estimated 43% of the entire range of this slow-breeding species was burnt, with the biggest impact on the central subspecies M. n. novaehollandiae (55%). Four months prior to these megafires, we conducted a field study of nest site habitat selection in the Superb Lyrebird within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (15,400 km2): a key stronghold of the central subspecies of the Superb Lyrebird. We found that at the local scale, lyrebird nest sites were more likely to be found in habitats characterized by dense canopy trees and rich in rainforest elements such as vines and treeferns. At the landscape scale, lyrebird nests were most likely to be constructed in rainforest; this fire-sensitive habitat type made up only 1% of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The probability of nest occurrence also increased with slope. We also found that >74% of all nesting habitat within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area burned in the 2019–2020 megafires, including 80% of areas of high suitability for nesting. These results suggest that the impact of these megafires on Superb Lyrebirds may be greater than currently thought. Given the importance of rainforest as nesting habitat for the Superb Lyrebird, managers should prioritize its restoration and protect it from future fire events. More broadly, our results illustrate how large-scale catastrophic events—such as megafires—can disproportionately affect habitats critical to specific points within an organism’s life cycle.

Long-term effects of incubation temperature on growth and thermal physiology in a small ectotherm.

Thermal conditions in the developmental environment can substantially affect an individual's phenotype, particularly in egg-laying ectotherms. However, whether these effects persist into adulthood is rarely examined. To investigate this, we incubated delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata, eggs at either cool (22°C), mild (26°C) or hot (30°C) temperatures. After hatching, we measured growth, thermal performance curves of locomotor activity, and thermal sensitivity of resting metabolic rate of offspring as juveniles (4-6 weeks of age), sub-adults (approx. 200 days of age), and adults (approx. 2 years of age), and then measured developmental temperature impacts on male fertility. Incubation temperature had a lasting effect on growth and locomotor performance, with cool and hot incubation temperatures resulting in faster growth and larger maximum size, and hot incubation temperatures reducing locomotor performance at all timepoints. Effects on resting metabolic rate were only present in sub-adults, with a higher metabolic rate at high and average body mass and negative metabolic scaling exponent in cool-incubated lizards. Additionally, cool and hot incubation treatments resulted in shorter sperm midpieces and heads. Incubation temperature did not affect testis mass or sperm count. Overall, our results demonstrate that incubation temperature can have lasting effects on later life stages, highlighting the importance of maternal nest-site selection, but that some effects are age dependent. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolutionary ecology of nests: a cross-taxon approach'.

Distribution and characteristics of urban nesting sites of sympatric swifts

Distribution and nest locations of Common and Pallid Swifts are compared in two towns located in the Mediterranean zone, Bastia in Corsica and Nice on the French Riviera. Our goal is to evaluate whether nesting site selection by swifts on urban settings differs between the two locations. First, we noted an avoidance in the distribution between the two swifts in both towns. Secondly, our results show that Common and Pallid Swifts use different nesting sites to breed in Bastia, whereas the same structures are used by the two species in Nice. Requirement of each species differs between the two localities, suggesting that nesting site use is more locality dependent than species dependent.

Good neighbors? Does aggregation of nests in an Arctic-breeding shorebird influence daily survival rates?

Our current understanding of the factors that influence where birds nest is incomplete, yet such information is important for accurate demographic assessments. To address questions related to spatial distributions of shorebird nests and to evaluate factors that may affect nest distribution in these species, during 2017 and 2019, we studied a small population of semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusilla breeding in the Central Canadian Arctic, near the Karrak Lake Research Station, in Nunavut. The spatial distribution of semipalmated sandpiper nests at this site suggested loose aggregation, with median nearest neighbor distances of 73.8 m and 92.0 m in 2017 and 2019, respectively, while no nests were detected on mainland areas in the vicinity. Evidence for the influence of nesting distribution on the daily survival rate of nests, however, was mixed. Neither nearest neighbor distance nor local nest density had a significant effect on daily nest survival in 2017, but in 2019, the best approximating model included an effect of local nest density, which indicated that nests in areas of high density had reduced survival rates. Contrary to other studies assessing settlement and nest site selection in semipalmated sandpipers, the spatial distribution of nests in this population demonstrates aggregation in an otherwise territorial species, but suggests that aggregated nesting can impose a cost on nest survival under certain conditions.

Light Pollution and Sea Turtles Nest-Site Selection. Is it Possible a Practical Management of the Problem?

Light Pollution and Sea Turtles Nest-Site Selection. Is it Possible a Practical Management of the Problem?

Comparative genetic study of the colony structure and colony spatial distribution between the higher termite Amitermes parvulus and the lower, subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes in an urban environment

In insects, ecological competition has often resulted in phenotypic changes and modifications to foraging areas. In termites—and social insects as a whole—colonies cannot easily escape competition through the relocation of their colony. In these species, the outcomes of inter and intra-specific competition are influenced by different life history traits, such as colony size, breeding system (number and types of reproductives), food preference, tunneling patterns, nest site selection, and antagonism between colonies. Here, we investigated variation in breeding system and spatial distribution among colonies of a higher termite Amitermes parvulus and a subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes within an urban landscape. We first developed microsatellite markers as a tool to study these life history traits in A. parvulus. Second, we assessed competitive exclusion or tolerance of A. parvulus and R. flavipes colonies by determining their fine-scale distribution using monitoring stations on a grid site, and their large-scale distribution across an urban landscape. Third, we investigated the breeding system of A. parvulus colonies. We showed that the numerous colonies of R. flavipes inhabiting a restricted area contrast with the few, but spatially expansive colonies of A. parvulus, suggesting these species face different degrees of intra-specific competition. We showed that colonies of A. parvulus frequently merged together, and all of them were likely headed by inbred neotenic reproductives, two characteristics rarely observed in higher termites. Overall, our study revealed drastic differences in colony structure, breeding systems and foraging ranges between the two species. These differences may reflect differences in food preference and food availability between the two species allowing their co-existence within the same urban environment.

Female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) do not alter nest site selection, maternal programming, or hormone-mediated maternal effects in response to perceived nest predation or brood parasitism risk

Predation or brood parasitism risks can change the behaviors and reproductive decisions in many parental animals. For oviparous species, mothers can mitigate their reproductive success in at least three ways: (1) by avoiding nest sites with high predation or parasitism risks, (2) through hormonal maternal effects that developmentally prime offspring for survival in risky environments, or (3) by investing less in reproduction when predation or parasitism risks are high. Here, we tested if perceived predation and parasitism risks can induce any of these behavioral or physiological responses by exposing female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to playbacks of two major nest threats, a predator (Cooper’s hawk, Accipiter cooperii) and an obligate brood parasite (brown-headed cowbird; Molothrus ater), as well as two controls (harmless Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna; and silence). We found that female blackbirds did not avoid nesting at sites treated with predator or brood parasite playbacks, nor were females more likely to abandon nesting attempts at these sites. Egg size and yolk hormone profiles, which are common proxies for maternal investment in oviparous species, were statistically similar across treatment sites. Instead, we found intraclutch variation in yolk steroid hormone profiles: concentrations of three progestogens (pregnanedione, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, and deoxycorticosterone) and two androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) were higher in third-laid than first-laid eggs. Our study largely confirms previous findings of consistent intraclutch yolk hormone variation in this species, in birds in general, and in other oviparous lineages, but uniquely reports on several yolk steroid hormones largely overlooked in the literature on hormone-mediated maternal effects.

Nest box entrance hole size can influence nest site selection and nest defence behaviour in Japanese tits.

Birds have the ability to assess the risk of predation in their environment and adjust their antipredation strategies based on this risk information. However, whether nest site selection has effect on subsequent nest defence behaviour has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the Japanese tit (Parus minor) exhibits a nest-box hole size preference and whether the entrance hole sizes of nest boxes influence the nest defence behaviour of tits. We hung nest boxes with three different entrance hole sizes (diameters: 6.5cm, 4.5cm and 2.8cm) in our study sites and investigated which nest boxes were occupied by tits. In addition, by using dummy-presentation experiments, we observed the nest defence behaviours of tits that nested in boxes with 2.8cm and 4.5cm entrance holes towards common chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus, a small nest predator able to enter these holes) and Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, a large nest predator unable to enter the 2.8cm entrance hole). The tits that bred in nest boxes with 2.8cm entrance holes exhibited more intense nest defence responses to chipmunks than to squirrels. In contrast, the tits that bred in nest boxes with 4.5cm entrance holes exhibited similar nest defence responses to chipmunks and squirrels. Additionally, Japanese tits that bred in nest boxes with 2.8cm entrance holes exhibited more intense behavioural responses to chipmunks than those that bred in nest boxes with 4.5cm entrance holes. Our results suggested that Japanese tits prefer to occupy nest boxes with small holes for breeding and that nest-box characteristics influenced their nest defence behaviour.

Using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to characterize nest site selection in wild Japanese tits Parus minor

Selecting a suitable nest site is critical to the survival and reproduction of birds. Prospecting allows individuals to gather information on the local quality of potential future breeding sites, which may help them make the best nest site selection decision. However, few studies have focused on the direct links between the prospecting activity of breeders and subsequent nest site selection. In this study, we investigated the prospecting pattern of Japanese tits Parus minor during the pre‐breeding period of the first breeding attempt and whether nest site characteristics influence their nest box visiting behaviour and occupied nest site. We used radio frequency identification (RFID) to track the movements of Japanese tits visiting nest boxes and compared nest site characteristics between visited and unvisited (control) nest boxes, as well as between visited and occupied nest boxes. We found that Japanese tits started visiting nest boxes approximately 20 days before breeding, visited an average of six nest boxes and eventually chose the most visited nest box for breeding activities. Japanese tits were more likely to visit nest boxes that had less canopy cover and lower shrub density but a greater total number of surrounding trees and ultimately chose breeding nest boxes with a smaller entrance inclination, in nesting trees with a larger diameter at breast height (DBH) which were surrounded by trees with a larger DBH. Our results suggest that Japanese tits visit several potential breeding sites before choosing breeding nest boxes and that nest site characteristics can influence their prospecting activity and nest site selection.