Virulence is part of the proximate base to the understanding of host–parasite interactions, and therefore it is crucial to interpret parasite-induced damage as an outcome of co-evolution between parasite and host. We experimentally investigated the impact of 2 congeneric ticks with contrasting transmission modes and host specificity, on the health of songbird nestlings (Parus major). The nidicolous Ixodes arboricola lives in tree holes where it obtains blood from adult birds and their nestlings, hence is prone to vertical transmission. All developmental stages of the field-dwelling Ixodes ricinus feed on different host taxa, hence are prone to horizontal transmission. Within each nest we infested 3 nestlings with varying loads of I. ricinus and 3 with Ixodes arboricola. Ixodes arboricola had no negative effects on nestling health (haematocrit, inflammation, body size, body condition). Body size was positively associated with the number of feeding I. arboricola adults. In contrast, I. ricinus infestations by nymphs and adult ticks led to haematocrit reductions. Furthermore, I. arboricola was a more prudent feeder, with longer feeding durations for smaller bloodmeals. Although the negative effects on nestling health were limited, our results are in line with current theories, stating that virulence increases with horizontal transmission, reduced dependence on individual hosts and reduced relatedness among co-exploiting ticks.

Recent studies have revealed that calcium limitation of avian reproduction may be a widespread phenomenon, affecting both egg properties and chick development. The effect of calcium shortage on the final body size of fledglings is usually rather weak, possibly owing to compensatory growth. Achieving full skeletal size is not, however, a reliable indication of complete ossification and it is possible that chicks with similar tarsus lengths are in different stages of skeletal development. We hypothesized that measuring plasma activity of the bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a highly specific marker for bone calcification, may reveal subtle developmental differences in full-grown fledglings, having experienced different levels of calcium availability during growth. In two seasons, a number of pairs of great tit Parus major were provided with calcium-rich material during the nestling period, while others were not supplemented (controls). While no significant differences in size of fledglings were detected between groups, bone-ALP activity at the pre-fledging stage was lower in the calcium-provided nestlings than in the control nestlings. This may indicate that supplemented chicks had completed the rapid phase of bone formation, but this process was delayed in controls. Measuring ALP as a marker of skeletal development expands our knowledge of how delayed skeletal development of chicks can result in protraction of the nestling period, thereby reducing the breeding success of adult birds.

This paper reports upon the use of nest boxes in coniferous woodland by the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, great tit Parus major and the jackdaw Corvus monedula over a 6-year period from 1994 to 1999. Initially 30 nest boxes were erected with eight additional boxes being put up in 1995. In the period 1994 to 1997, red squirrels were found to use nest boxes regularly as nesting and breeding sites (7.8 ± 1.0 se litters found annually). Box use was greatest in the summer and autumn months (70% of boxes being used at least once) and declined through the winter (50%) into the spring (45%). The presence of great tit clutches and broods in the spring did not prevent red squirrels from occupying boxes. Only 28% (n = 12) of all the recorded great tit clutches produced fledgling young in 1994 to 1997 and red squirrels were found to have consumed some of the chicks and eggs. The establishment of a jackdaw colony within the woodland led to 86% of the nest boxes being used by the birds in the spring of 1999. Red squirrel occupation of boxes in the spring declined to 7% and only three litters were recorded that year. The study showed that the jackdaw has the capacity to dominate nest boxes during the spring months despite the high density of red squirrels within the reserve.