No effect of age of males on reproductive success of the collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis

During five years (1992-1996) the effect of age of collared flycatcher males on arrival time, quality of nest site, partial losses, feeding effort and reproduction were examined in the primaeval, mature (170-250 year old) oak-lime-hombearn forest of Bialowieza National Park. The males were divided into two age groups: males with brown primaries and wing covers were aged as young, and males whose wings were uniformly black were aged as old ones. Only the arrival date and the clutch size were significantly different between the groups of males but other breeding features were very similar. These results may be explained by a short life-span of flycatchers and by conditions in the Biatowieia National Park. A surplus of good natural cavities reduced competition between young and old males, and a surplus of food could reduce differences in foraging abilities. A high predation rate was the main cause of nesting losses. In such conditions, the strategy to take each opportunity of reproduction may lead to high life time reproduction success and can reduce potential differences in breeding success young and old males.