Birds choose material for nesting based on the size and shape of their beaks – this is the conclusion of an international group of ornithologists from the University of Bristol (UK). Research published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
The experts decided to identify the main factors affecting the choice of materials from which birds build their nests. The authors suggested that this may be due to the parameters of the beak, which is the main working tool of birds. For example, a beak of a certain size and shape may be more suitable for handling a certain material.
To test this theory, experts used a mathematical model. They uploaded information on nesting materials used by 5924 bird species from 38 orders and 180 families. All these materials were divided into seven types: binding material (clay, mud, saliva); fibers of plant and animal origin (feathers, hair, plant fluff); grass and algae; leaves; minerals (stones and shells); silk, net and the like. In addition, experts have added a mixed type for nests consisting of several types of materials.
The researchers then supplemented the model with beak parameters for the selected species (taking into account the total length of the beak, the length of the beak from the nostrils, the width of the beak at the nostrils, and the height of the beak at the nostrils). bill). The analysis also included data on the birds’ body weight and evolutionary relationships, as well as variables related to their diet and the availability of various types of material.
The analysis results showed that the data on beak and body weight parameters were sufficient to predict the main building material used by this bird species with 48.4% accuracy. When the authors added diet and material availability information to the model, its accuracy increased to 56% and to 59.5% without mixed-type slots. For species using a single material (and excluding mixed species), 70% of the model’s predictions were correct.
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