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Research from the intensively studied northern temperate and boreal regions dominates avian reproductive phenology studies. However, in most other areas, long-term, high-quality phenological datasets are not available, limiting our ability to predict how reproductive timing may respond to rapid climate change. Here, we provide novel methods for combining conventional and nonconventional observations to understand phenological patterns in birds across a southern continent. Observations from egg collections, bird banding, nest record schemes, and citizen science were combined to determine egg-laying phenology for ∼50% of Australia's mainland breeding species. We investigated start, peak, and length of avian egg-laying periods (1) derived from different data sources, (2) across tropical, subtropical, desert, grassland, and temperate biomes, and (3) comparing 2 representative temperate regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. We found that start and peak egg-laying dates calculated from single-visit observations of young or eggs resulted in similar dates as those from more accurate multi-visit nest observations. This demonstration suggests that future studies aimed at assessing changes in the timing of breeding in response to climate change can utilize such observational data. This will significantly increase sample sizes, rather than restricting such analyses to just intensively tracked nests, for which accurate laying dates are available. We found that egg-laying phenology varies between biomes (tropical, subtropical, desert, grassland, temperate), with birds in the desert biome having the earliest peaks of egg-laying. Finally, the length of the egg-laying period differs significantly between hemispheres. The southern temperate zone species have extensive egg-laying periods and many species breed year-round in marked contrast to the highly predictable, springtime breeding in the north. Therefore, avian phenological patterns and documented responses to climate change from the well-sampled, but highly seasonal, northern hemisphere may not be transferrable across the globe.

Thermal variation poses a problem for nesting birds and can result in reduced offspring growth rates and survival. To increase the thermal stability of the nest, females can adjust nest characteristics and nest attendance in response to changes in environmental conditions. However, it is unclear how and to what extent females modify parental behaviors during various stages of offspring development. We tested the hypothesis that females adjust nest characteristics and brooding patterns in response to thermal variation during the nest-building and nestling stages, respectively. We examined elevational variation in nest location, nest construction, and brooding patterns in the migratory Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) across a 2°C gradient at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. Density of woody stems at nest sites and nest wall thickness increased from low to high elevation, corresponding to decreasing temperatures, but we found no relationship between weather during nest building and nest characteristics. However, weather during the nestling stage was associated with female brooding patterns: at lower temperatures and with higher rainfall, females spent more time off the nest, which was associated with lower nestling mass near fledging. These results suggest that thermal cues during nest building may be unreliable as predictors of future conditions for developing nestlings and also that females might favor their own self-maintenance and compromise nestling growth under adverse thermal conditions. La variación térmica representa un problema para las aves que anidan y puede resultar en una reducción en las tasas de crecimiento y en la supervivencia de las crías. Para aumentar la estabilidad térmica del nido, las hembras pueden ajustar las características del nido y la presencia enel nidoenrespuesta a los cambios enlas condiciones ambientales. Sinembargo, está poco claro cómo y en quémedida las hembrasmodifican los comportamientos de los progenitores durante varios estadios del desarrollode las crías. Evaluamos la hipótesisque las hembras ajustan las características del nidoy los patrones de crianza en respuesta a la variación térmicadurante las etapas deconstrucción del nido y depolluelos, respectivamente. Examinamos la variación altitudinal en la localización del nido, la construcción del nido y los patrones de crianza en la especiemigratoria Setophaga caerulescens a través deungradientede 2°C en el Bosque Experimental Hubbard Brook, NH, EEUU. La densidadde tallos leñosos en los sitios de anidación y el espesor de la pared de los nidos aumentó desde la elevación baja hacia la alta, correspondiendo a una disminución de la temperatura, pero no encontramos una relación entre el clima durante la construcción del nido y las características del nido. Sin embargo, el clima durante la etapa de polluelo estuvo asociado con los patrones de crianza de la hembra: a bajas temperaturas y con mayor precipitación, las hembras pasaron más tiempo afuera del nido, lo que estuvo asociado con una menor masa de los polluelos cerca del emplumamiento. Estos resultados sugieren que las señales térmicas durante la construcción del nido pueden ser poco confiables como predictores de las futuras condiciones para desarrollar volantones y también que las hembras podrían favorecer su propio auto mantenimiento y comprometer el crecimiento de los volantones bajo condiciones térmicas adversas.

The Asian Woollynecks were once thought to be a rare winter migrant to the wetlands of Bangladesh, and until very recently, only a few incidents of nesting had been observed. New information shows expanding populations across their habitat, though little is known about their movement ecology, breeding ecology and preferences for artificial nest sites. In this paper, we documented some crucial nesting and breeding information on this species. We used camera traps as a means of passive monitoring and identified Large‐billed crow Corvus macrorhynchos and House crow Corvus splendens as potential nest predators. Three nests were found in artificial structures, where anthropogenic activity, like disturbances during cell phone tower maintenance, or predators limit the breeding success of Asian Woollynecks. In this paper, we documented some crucial nesting and breeding information on Asian Wollynecks. We used camera traps as a means of passive monitoring and identified Large‐billed crow Corvus macrorhynchos and House crow Corvus splendens as potential nest predators.

Breeding biology of the poorly known Biet's Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla bieti) was studied in the mixed coniferous and broad‐leaved forests at Laojun mountain in southwest China. We discovered two active nests in 2021 and 2024; both were located on bamboo stands, 3.7 and 4.5 m above the ground respectively. The nest is open, bowl‐ or cup‐shaped, and mainly composed of dry grass stems, bamboo branches and leaves. We made direct observations on parent birds, used infrared camera to monitor the breeding events in the nest, and also made video recordings of the incubation and brooding behavior. Both parent birds incubated the eggs and provisioned the nestlings. The incubation period lasted for 15 days. As incubation progressed, incubation‐bout duration had no significant difference through the early, middle and late stages. However, during the 15‐day nestling period, feeding frequency of parents showed a significant difference among stages, with the highest feeding frequency at the late stage. The length of brooding bouts decreased as the nestlings' age increased. Our observations provide detailed records on the nest, nestlings, and breeding behavior of this endangered laughingthrush for the first time. Based on the known information, we emphasized the importance of alpine bamboo forests for the conservation of this laughingthrush. Moreover, we recommend minimizing anthropogenic disturbance in its breeding ground, and prioritizing a comprehensive survey to assess the current population status in its distribution. Breeding biology of the poorly known Biet's Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla bieti) was studied for the first time ever. Two active nests were located, described and monitored. The breeding traits of Biet's Laughingthrush meet the life‐history theory predictions, exhibiting high nest attentiveness, incubating and nestling period extended, and high nesting success.

Owing to habitat loss, the entire breeding population of the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola, a flagship bird species of fen mires, is now limited to scattered areas in east-central Europe. The breeding biology of the Aquatic Warbler was studied between 2012 and 2015 in calcareous fens dominated by the Cladietum marisci sedge community at the south-western range limit of the species, near Chełm, in south-east Poland. Two nesting peaks were observed during the breeding season, corresponding to first and second breeding attempts. Nest densities were greater during the first- rather than the second-brood period but singing male densities did not differ between the brood periods. Clutch size and post-hatching fledging success were significantly lower during the second-brood period. Total nest fledging success (whether or not a nest fledged at least one young) was 76.6% in 124 nests with known outcomes with an average of 2.7 (± SE 0.2) fledglings per nest. Mayfield probability of nest survival was 56.9% with losses mainly due to predation (55%), nest desertion or female predation (28%), and changes in water level (14%). Nest survival to fledging increased along the gradient of increasing levels of litter layer thickness, stagnating water, and vegetation height at the nest, and increasing height of the nest above the soil. Fledgling production tended to be lower than in the Biebrza Marshes (north-east Poland) habitats, assumed to be optimal for breeding. Otherwise, the reproductive success estimates did not deviate from nests found in the core breeding areas in north-east Poland or Belarus. Brood feeding frequency (15.5 ± 1.0/hour) was similar to that observed in the Biebrza Marshes. Our results suggest that the calcareous fens at the margins of the current species’ range provide a suitable breeding habitat. However, as the nesting area has contracted, management programmes tailored to the ecological requirements of the Aquatic Warbler are required.

Abstract The Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) is a columbid bird commonly found throughout most of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, India and Australia. Its preferred habitat includes scrubland, agricultural lands, and human settlements. Despite this species’ extensive breeding range, very little information is available regarding its breeding ecology. The main objective of this study was to investigate the breeding features of the Laughing Dove in Taif City, Saudi Arabia between March and May 2018 and December 2018 and May 2019. The results indicate that this species constructs its nests at a mean height of 2.74 ± 0.1 m from the ground. The average number of nesting materials used for building a Laughing Dove nest was 109.3 ± 11.25. This study recorded that this species starts breeding in the middle of February. A clutch of two eggs comprised 72% of all the nests, with a mean of 1.75 ± 0.06 eggs per clutch. The average egg size was 25.27 ± 0.43 mm x 20.25 ± 0.19 mm, with an average egg volume of 5.01 ± 0.13 cm3. In total, 39.5% of the eggs hatched, and 64.7% of hatchlings reached the fledgling stage, resulting in an overall breeding success of 25.6%. This study suggested that nest desertion and predation were the major factors contributing to nest failure. Resumo A rola-do-senegal (Streptopelia senegalensis) é uma ave columbídea comumente encontrada na maior parte da África, Oriente Médio, Ásia Central, Índia e Austrália. Seu hábitat preferido inclui cerrado, terras agrícolas e assentamentos humanos. Apesar da extensa gama de reprodução desta espécie, muito pouca informação está disponível sobre sua ecologia reprodutiva. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as características reprodutivas da rola-do-senegal na cidade de Taif, Arábia Saudita entre março e maio de 2018 e dezembro de 2018 e maio de 2019. Os resultados indicam que esta espécie constrói seus ninhos a uma altura média de 2,74 ± 0,1 m do chão. O número médio de materiais de nidificação usados para a construção de um ninho de rola-do-senegal foi de 109,3 ± 11,25. Este estudo registrou que esta espécie começa a se reproduzir em meados de fevereiro. Uma ninhada de dois ovos compôs 72% de todos os ninhos, com média de 1,75 ± 0,06 ovo por ninhada. O tamanho médio dos ovos foi de 25,27 ± 0,43 mm x 20,25 ± 0,19 mm, com volume médio de ovos de 5,01 ± 0,13 cm3. No total, 39,5% dos ovos eclodiram e 64,7% dos filhotes atingiram a fase de filhote, resultando em um sucesso reprodutivo geral de 25,6%. Este estudo sugeriu que a deserção do ninho e a predação foram os principais fatores que contribuíram para o fracasso do ninho.

Documenting the nesting biology of birds is a crucial aspect of ornithological research, yet a surprisingly large number of Neotropical species remain understudied. Here, we describe the nest and egg characteristics of the Violet-capped Hummingbird (Goldmania violiceps) based on two active nests found in Cerro Chucantí Private Nature Reserve, Eastern Panama. We also compare these characteristics with other montane hummingbirds in Mesoamerica. G. violiceps is an endemic species, restricted to the highlands of Eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia, and is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List and included in CITES Appendix II. The first nest was found on 1 February 2021, and the second on 14 August 2022. Each nest contained two white, oval-shaped eggs 13.60 ± 0.50 mm in length and 9.02 ± 0.52 mm in width, with weight 0.52 ± 0.4 g, representing 13% of adult female body mass (3.87 ± 0.50 g, n = 13). The cup-shaped nests had an outer diameter of 47.90 ± 2.35 mm, inner diameter of 25.5 ± 1.43 mm, and depth of 38.55 ± 3.45 mm. The nests were constructed from lichens, fern fibers, dry moss, and spider webs. Comparisons with other montane hummingbirds revealed low variability in nest and egg characteristics across species in Mesoamerica. Given the current levels of alteration in montane habitats, understanding the nesting biology of G. violiceps is essential for assessing its population status and informing conservation strategies across its range. Documentar la biología de anidación de las aves es un aspecto crucial de la investigación ornitológica; sin embargo, un sorprendente número de especies neotropicales siguen sin ser estudiadas. Aquí, describimos las características del nido y huevo del colibrí copetivioleta (Goldmania violiceps) basándonos en two nidos activos encontrados en la Reserva Natural Privada Cerro Chucantí, en el este de Panamá. También comparamos estas características con las de otros colibríes de montaña en Mesoamérica. G. violiceps es una especie endémica, restringida a las tierras altas del este de Panamá y el noroeste de Colombia, y está clasificada como Casi Amenazada por la Lista Roja de la UICN e incluida en el Apéndice II de la CITES. El primer nido fue encontrado el 1 de febrero de 2021 y el segundo el 14 de agosto de 2022. Cada nido contenía 2 huevos blancos de forma ovalada, 13.60 ± 0.50 mm de largo, 9.02 ± 0.52 mm de ancho, y con un peso de 0.52 ± 0.4 g, lo que representa el 13% de la masa corporal de una hembra adulta (3.87 ± 0.50 g, n = 13). Los nidos en forma de copa tenían un diámetro exterior de 47.90 ± 2.35 mm, un diámetro interior de 25.5 ± 1.43 mm, y una profundidad de 38.55 ± 3.45 mm. Los nidos fueron construidos con líquenes, fibra de helecho, musgo seco y telas de araña. Las comparaciones con otros colibríes de montaña revelaron poca variabilidad en las características de los nidos y huevos entre las especies de Mesoamérica. Dados los actuales niveles de alteración en los hábitats montañosos, comprender la biología de anidación de G. violiceps es esencial para evaluar su estado poblacional e informar estrategias de conservación a través de su rango. PALABRAS CLAVE biología reproductiva; colibríes neotropicales; especies amenazadas; islas de montaña; tamaño de nidada

We examined the impact of daily and severe multiday weather events on nest survival of Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris) and Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) breeding sympatrically in alpine habitat. The two species' thermal regimes varied. The breeding season of Horned Larks was ∼2°C colder and had more precipitation and more storms than that of Savannah Sparrows, which initiated laying 2 wk later. The breeding season of Savannah Sparrows was, on average, 27% shorter than that of Horned Larks. Overall daily nest survival (DNS) was similar for the two species, but Savannah Sparrows had more failure due to abandonment (33% of nests) than Horned Larks (10%). Using Program MARK and Akaike's Information Criterion model selection to evaluate effects of daily and cumulative temperature and precipitation on DNS, we found no direct effect of daily temperature on nest survival, but nest survival declined in colder years for both species. For Horned Larks, the top nest survival models included a decline in DNS with increasing nest age and number of storm events, and a temperature × storm interaction. Daily nest mortality (DNM) increased by 8–9× over background failure levels during cold storms (average = 5°C), but there was little change in DNM during warmer storms (8°C). For Savannah Sparrows, the top nest survival models included a negative influence of cumulative precipitation. The top model's predicted DNM was ∼4.6× higher after ≥2 days of precipitation than following days without rain. Both species coped well with the range of daily temperatures and single days of precipitation typical of alpine habitats, but the earlier-breeding Horned Larks were more susceptible to storm events, whereas extended precipitation events most strongly affected Savannah Sparrow nest survival. The ability of these songbirds to persist in alpine habitats may depend partly on the proportion of “cold” and “warm” storm events in future alpine climates.