The red‐backed shrike (Lanius collurio) used to be one of the most common hosts of the
common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Nevertheless, during the last 30 years, there is …

Background For cavity-nesting birds, the nest entrance plays an important role in preventing
predators from accessing nests. Several species of nuthatches use mud to narrow the …

Brood parasites and predators pose different threats to passerines that may favour the
evolution of enemy-specific defence strategies. Furthermore, potential sex-specific variation …

The pressure of predators may significantly affects the distribution pattern of nesting birds.
Some individuals may reduce the risk of predation by nesting near other species with an …

Highlights•Predator size change affects red-backed shrike behaviour in a species-
dependent way.•Enlarging the size of the jay dummy decreases the willingness to actively …

In the face of death from predation, parent birds have to choose between prioritizing current
versus future reproduction. Previous studies have shown that when exposed to predation …

Red-backed shrikes (Lanius collurio) show a substantial variability in their nest defence
behaviour, which usually follows the rules of optimal parental behaviour, vigorously …

Understanding the mechanisms and the factors influencing the phenology, reproduction and
biometrics of long-distance migrants are extremely important as global climate warming has …

Although heterospecific associations beneficial to one or both species involved (eg
commensalisms or mutualisms) are common, it is generally assumed that interactions …

Birds select breeding territories by assessing territory quality and considering predation
pressure. However, in many small passerines, brood parasitism may also play an important …