Immediate effects of capture on nest visits of breeding blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, are substantial

摘要: Although capture, handling and marking of birds as well taking samples from them are ubiquitous and, in most cases, unavoidable procedures ornithological research, their immediate effects on the individuals remain largely unstudied. Here, we present data over 3 years a long-term field study breeding biology blue tit. Parents were captured at nest when feeding 9–11-day-old young. For all birds, measured time first visit to after capture could thus establish latency return nest. After parents stayed away surprisingly long (average 4.2 h, up 18 h) nests not visited by either parent for duration that almost never occurred under natural conditions. Parental latencies strongly associated with previous captures. Birds caught, marked sampled previously returned average 4.4 h earlier than new birds. Still these took 1.9 h return. Thus, itself can have strong behaviour. Once nest, between visits was similar observed before indicating resumed normal activities. Return left alone had no offspring or success. We discuss possible causes delayed parental methodological implications.