DOI: 10.5061/dryad.66t1g1kb9
title: Data from: Effects of experimental nest treatment with herbs on ectoparasites and body condition of nestlings

description: Nest fumigation behavior involves the incorporation of fresh green plant
 fragments that contain ectoparasite-repellent volatile compounds into
 birds’ nests. This behavior is relatively rare among bird species, and
 there is ongoing debate about whether it benefits parental breeding
 success. In this study, we experimentally tested whether the inclusion of
 aromatic-herbal plant fragments in the nests of great tits Parus major
 affects the physiological condition of nestlings, as indicated by blood
 levels of hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, and body condition indices,
 such as weight and wing length. We divided the nests into two groups,
 adding aromatic herbs to the test group’s nests and non-aromatic plants to
 the control group. After the nestlings fledged, all nest material was
 collected to extract, identify, and count arthropod ectoparasites.
 Nestlings in nests supplemented with aromatic plant fragments had elevated
 levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin, indicating improved physiological
 condition compared to the control group. Ectoparasites were present in
 both groups, although ticks (Ixodidae) occurred less frequently in nests
 with aromatic plants. The experimental treatment did not affect fledging
 success. Further experimental studies are needed to explore the effects of
 incorporating aromatic plant fragments into tit nests within the
 frameworks of both the nest protection hypothesis and the drug hypothesis.
description: During the breeding season, nestboxes were visited every day to
 record laying date and the number hatchlings. From 26 nests of great tits
 with incubated clutches and without fresh plant material supplemented by
 birds on their own, we established pairs of nests according to their
 hatching date and brood size (±2 nestlings). Thirteen nests were randomly
 assigned to the experimental treatment and 13 were control broods. Three
 nests from the experimental treatment were lost (when the nestlings were
 5-8 days old) due to predation. Starting on day two and then every other
 day until day 16 after hatching, a 1.5 g portion of fresh aromatic plant
 fragments (approximately 0.45 g of lavender <em>Lavandula
 angustifolia</em>, 0.35 g of mint <em>Mentha sp</em>.,
 0.35 g of the Immortelle <em>Helichrysum italicum</em>, and
 0.35 g of the Common Yarrow <em>Achillea millefolium)</em> was
 supplemented in test nests and a 1.5 g portion of fresh grass
 <em>Poaceae spp.</em> was added to control nests. Both
 aromatic herbs and grass were placed on three edges of the lining layer of
 the nest (near back wall, left wall and right wall). All plant species
 used in the experiment normally occur in the geographical distribution of
 the great tit and are found in natural nests of blue and great tits (Petit
 et al. 2002, Dubiec et al. 2013, Mainwaring et al. 2017). These aromatic
 plants were not available in the bird territories or in the forest study
 area. At our study sites only some blue tits and very occasionally use
 <em>Lamium galeobdolon</em> and <em>Veronica
 sp</em>. Unlike blue tits, great tits will not introduce new herbs
 during the experiment, allowing for better control of experimental
 conditions. All the aromatic herb species used were acquired in garden
 stores about two weeks before the experiment and were grown in appropriate
 conditions until the end of the experimental procedures. Grass was
 obtained from the faculty botanic garden. In the morning, before visiting
 the study site, fresh plant fragments were cut off the aromatic plants,
 weighed and put into plastic pouches and a similar treatment was given to
 the grass.
description: # Dataset EXP 2023 herbs great tit
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.66t1g1kb9](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.66t1g1kb9) ## Description of the data and file structure From 26 nests of great tits with incubated clutches and without fresh plant material supplemented by birds on their own, we established pairs of nests according to their hatching date and brood size (±2 nestlings). Thirteen nests were randomly assigned to the experimental treatment and 13 were control broods. File contains nesboxes, nests and individual nestlings in both groups with physiological and reproductive data.  Column 1 = year of the study Column 2 = study area of the study (here only forest) Column 3 = the number of the nestbox Column 4 = experimental procedure; 0 = control and 1 = herbs added Column 5 = the number of eggs in a clutch Column 6 = the number of hatchlings Column 7 = the number of nestlings 13 days old Column 9 =  the number of nestlings that left the nest Column 10 = haemoglobin level (g/l) Column 11 = mean haemoglobin Column 12 = glucose level (mg/dl) Column 13 = mean glucose Column 14 = wing length (mm) Column 15 = mean wing length Column 16 = nestbox id Column 17 = hematocrit parameter #1 Column 18 = hematocrit parameter # 2 Column 19 = hematocrit value (%) Column 20 = first egg date Column 21 = the day that hatching started Column 22 = mean hematocrit ## Code/software Microsoft Excel