Median time between visits (interval) and time present at feeders (presence) based on series of registrations separated by different cut-off times (time between first and last registration; see methods).

<p>Median time between visits (interval) and time present at feeders (presence) based on series of registrations separated by different cut-off times (time between first and last registration; see methods).</p

Mixed Models on relationship between the number of sampling events after food removal and individual characteristics in a wild population of great tits.

<p>Random effects included in both models were ID (summer LRT: χ² = 0.15, p = 0.69; winter LRT: χ² = 2.0, p = 0.15). Note that sampling rates in winter were log-transformed to reach normality of residuals.</p><p>¹ Males set to 0.</p><p>² Juveniles set to 0.</p><p>³ Locally born birds set to 0.</p>4<p>Days since the removal of food.</p>5<p>Roosting in nestbox set to 0.</p

Overview of experiments.

<p>Overview of experiments.</p

Locations of feedings station and schematic representation of feeding cage.

<p>Overview of experimental set-up: (a) locations of the four feeding stations in the central part of the study area. Each feeding station consisted of a table on which we placed a feeding cage (b) made out of wire mesh (1.5 cm * 1.5 cm) with a solid floor and containing a large peanut reservoir (dashed line). Birds could enter the cage only through a single opening (8 cm * 5 cm) on which we placed a registration antenna for reading pit tags implanted in great tits. The antenna was connected to a stationary decoder underneath the feeding table.</p

Number of individuals visiting the feeders before, during and after food removal.

<p>Number of individuals recorded per day at the feeding stations during the whole experimental period. Closed dots represent the number of individuals in the presence of food (before food removal and after re-baiting the feeding stations) and open dots the number of individuals after we removed the food.</p

Relationships between exploratory behaviour and number of sampling events at different feeders in summer.

<p>Number of sampling events at two experimental feeders (F2 and F3) after food removal plotted against exploratory behaviour, over two summers (2007 and 2008). Closed dots are the number of sampling events on the first day of food removal and open dots the number of sampling events after the first day (day 2–5). The lines are fitted regressions lines for the first day of food removal (dashed line: p<0.15, solid line: p<0.05). Note that for the analyses data on different feeders were pooled and that the overall relationship between exploration score and sampling rate was negative (p = 0.0004), but changed with days since food removal (p = 0.015).</p

Factors affecting the rediscovery of food by great tits after re-baiting the feeding stations, from a Cox proportional hazard model.

<p>¹ Males set to 0.</p><p>² Juveniles set to 0.</p><p>³ Locally born birds set to 0.</p

The more the merrier – experimental evidence for density-dependent feeding facilitation in the bird-specialised tick Ixodes arboricola

Experimental data for manuscript titled "The more the merrier – experimental evidence for density-dependent feeding facilitation in the bird-specialised tick Ixodes arboricola", published in International Journal of Parasitology. Experimental infestations of great tit (Parus major) nestlings with 1-5 adult tree-hole ticks (Ixodes arboricola). Data concern number of ticks placed on nestlings, tick attachment success after 1 h and 48 h, tick recovery rates, tick engorgement weight and tick scutum length, and nestling weight, tarsus length and developmental age at infestation and 48 h later. Additional factors include year, area and nest, and dates and times of infestation (time1) and inspection of nestlings (time2)

Data_Sheet_1_Dynamics of Gut Microbiota Diversity During the Early Development of an Avian Host: Evidence From a Cross-Foster Experiment.docx

Despite the increasing knowledge on the processes involved in the acquisition and development of the gut microbiota in model organisms, the factors influencing early microbiota successions in natural populations remain poorly understood. In particular, little is known on the role of the rearing environment in the establishment of the gut microbiota in wild birds. Here, we examined the influence of the nesting environment on the gut microbiota of Great tits (Parus major) by performing a partial cross-fostering experiment during the intermediate stage of nestling development. We found that the cloacal microbiota of great tit nestlings underwent substantial changes between 8 and 15 days of age, with a strong decrease in diversity, an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and a shift in the functional features of the community. Second, the nesting environment significantly influenced community composition, with a divergence among separated true siblings and a convergence among foster siblings. Third, larger shifts in both microbiota diversity and composition correlated with lower nestling body condition. Our results shed new light on the dynamics of microbial diversity during the ontogeny of avian hosts, indicating that the nest environment continues to shape the gut microbiota during the later stages of nestling development and that the increase in gut diversity between hatching and adulthood may not be as linear as previously suspected. Lastly, the microbiota changes incurred during this period may have implications for nestling body condition which can lead to long-term consequences for host fitness.</p

Raw data from Parus.Database

This an RData file with the raw data extract from the Parus Database that managed by Frank Adriaensen. For further information please contact [email protected]