(Published in Estonian 11.07.2017)

In the great tit webcam nest the nestlings have problems with parasites. You can see that the chicks are constantly shaking themselves and every now and then some parasite (for instance louse flies) crawl across their backs. This is however nothing exceptional – in the nests of hollow nesting birds several different kinds of parasites are found such as fleas, chewing lice, Brachycera flies and mites and ticks.

The nest parasites are favoured by the temperature and humidity in the hollow, and they may, on sucking the blood of birds or eating their feathers, have a significant impact on the wellbeing of adults as well as growing nestlings (Alt & Mägi 2016: Ektoparasiidid ja nende mõju suluspesitsejatele lindudele Ectoparasites and their effect on closed nest birds), which means that as a rule the condition and survival of adults as well as chicks is influenced. In case of an intense infection the chicks may perish (Lodjak & Mägi 2015: Parasiidi Protocalliphora sp. mõju must-kärbsenäpi (Ficedula hypoleuca) pesapoegade kasvule).

The most frequent parasite in great tit nests is the hen flea (Ceratophyllus gallinae), of whom there may be several hundred or often more in a nest. The hen fleas are generalists who have been found as parasites on at least 72 bird species and most often on tits. The larvas of the fleas feed on organic matter present in the hollow, the fully grown insects (imagos) suck blood from the birds. Read more about hen fleas in the science news note Laia levikuga pesaparasiidid võivad spetsialiseeruda.

Hen flea (Ceratophyllus gallinae) / Photo: Katja ZSM (Wikimedia Commons)

On birds, chewing lice are often found that mainly feed on down feathers, hairs and dead skin cells, but also on blood seeping out of wounds, thus causing feather loss of birds and diseases.

The live view from the great tit webcam nest is organised by the Estonian Ornithological Society in cooperation with Looduskalender, transmission is provided by EENet and Tele2, the forum is organised by Looduskalender.

News from the nest are forwarded by bird news page Linnuvaatleja

Marko Mägi ja Margus Ots
info/at/linnuvaatleja.ee