Urban Environmental Stresses Promote Nest Reuse by Annual Multiple-Brooded Bird Species

Abstract As a result of rapid urbanization, birds quickly adjust their reproductive strategies and optimize their reproductive expense to adapt to anthropogenic habitats and improve their fitness. However, the mechanisms underlying such selective adaptation remain unclear. Compared to the natural habitats, urban habitats are limited in nest site resources. Hence, birds in urban habitats are more likely to reuse the best nests to improve their fitness during the breeding season. In this study, we examined the patterns in the prevalence of nest reuse (NR) by spotted doves ( Spilopelia chinensis ) in a rapidly urbanizing area in Nanchang, China. Using ArcGIS 10.8, satellite tracking, and methods of reproductive ecology, we determined the correlation between NR and reproductive success (RS), urbanization stresses, nest predation, and parasite risks to explore the mechanisms underlying selective adaptation in an emerging city. From December 2018 to December 2021, 302 nests were surveyed. Our survey revealed that 38.08% of the nests (n = 115) were reused, and the main factors that influenced NR by spotted doves were nest position (NP), distance from tree edge (DE), and large-scale urbanization score (LSUS). Moreover, the main factors that affected RS were nest height (NH), percent of canopy cover (PCC), small-scale urbanization score (SSUS), and NR. Additionally, the main factors that affected reproductive duration (RD) were NH and PCC. The RS associated with NR was significantly higher than that associated with newly built nests ( p = 0.004). Compared to that in a natural ecosystem, RS in the urban area was constrained by specific consequences of the rapid urbanization process, i.e., more predators and human disturbances. On the other hand, urban stresses promoted NR by annual multiple-brooded species. In conclusion, we found that birds can exploit urban environments to reproduce more successfully via NR in urban areas.