Immigrants and locally recruited birds differ in prey delivered to their offspring in blue tits and great tits

摘要: Natal dispersal is common in animals but the fitness cost of moving from natal area not well understood. One reason for a that foraging skills and prey preference learned early life may be less efficient if individual settles new, unfamiliar habitat. In 4-year study, we found immigrant parent blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, great Parus major, were inferior food providers compared to local recruits. immigrants provided smaller items than recruits, whereas fewer green larvae, relatively more brown offspring We also females laid later or clutches locally recruited. The results are consistent with hypothesis carries costs related learning skills. However, alternative explanations differences caused by genetic and/or quality between two groups birds. discuss various ecological behavioural traits influence, influenced by, mismatch breeding habitats. altricial birds, yearlings will have previous experience during and, addition, spent long postfledging period new habitat their parents. If there foraging-habitat mismatches as result dispersal, researchers should include origin models optimal foraging, time budgets, reproductive success survival because performance directly environment rather differences.