Nest-attenders in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) during nestling rearing: A possible case of prospective resource exploration
Visits to nest holes by birds other than their owners is a familiar phenomenon for students of breeding biology. In this study, we evaluate that behavior using a transponder reading system. Eighty-five males and females were Fitted with transponders at the end of the incubation period or just after hatching. Nest boxes were fitted with transponder readers from just after hatching until all nestlin