Birds using artificial plants as nesting material

Behaviour, vol. 159, pp. 193–205

Abstract

Abstract Here we present the first cases of birds using artificial plants as nest material. We report our findings for the common coot ( Fulica atra ) from Leiden, the Netherlands, in 2019. This is the first population of freshwater birds studied for its use of anthropogenic nest materials, and together with another report from the same year, the earliest case of an entire bird population with plastic in all nests. We also report the first artificial plants used as nesting material by birds, and discuss the implications of their usage as such.

Authors 3

1. Auke‐Florian Hiemstra Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Leiden University · Radboud University Nijmegen · Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   De Grachtwacht, Lange mare 25, 2312 GP Leiden, The Netherlands

   IBL Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands

   RIBES Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

2. Barbara Gravendeel Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Radboud University Nijmegen · Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands

   RIBES Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

3. Menno Schilthuizen Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   IBL Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands