Nest-building males trade off material collection costs with territory value

摘要: Building a structurally robust nest is crucial for reproductive success in many birds. However, we know little about the criteria birds use to select material or where they go collect it. Here observed collection of male Cape Weavers (Ploceus capensis). Males typically selected long, strong build their nests and each collected from different locations. that built more nested area colony flew further than did males fewer nests. As these had longer tails wings attracted females territories shorter distances, may have traded off travel costs collecting materials with benefits gained holding territory ‘desirable’ part colony. Nest construction, then, appears be multi-dimensional task whereby take into account material’s structural properties, proximity site quality. do this effectively both attract mates provide sound young.