Benefits of Fresh Plants in Bird Nests
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Abstract
Some nest-building birds bring fresh plant fragments, e.g. leaves, sprigs or inner bark, which are available in their habitats to build or add in their nests with 3 benefits. Firstly, the olfaction of volatile compounds in aromatic plants can repel or eliminate the ectoparasites and pathogens in the nests. Secondly, fresh plants can keep the nests in the suitable temperature for parental incubation and nestling growth. Thirdly, during courtship period, males use green plant components for attraction females to their nesting sites. These nesting strategies with fresh plants of birds can increase their survival and reproductive success.
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References
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