Duration of nest-building in passerine birds: the roles of latitude, nest size, and nest type

Abstract Nest building is a crucial yet understudied aspect of the avian breeding cycle. The duration of this process can impact reproductive success, and natural selection is expected to optimize it. However, factors shaping the evolution of nest-building duration remain unclear. Using a large dataset comprising 853 populations of 591 songbird species breeding worldwide, we examined key factors influencing nest-building period length. Our findings reveal that species breeding at higher latitudes or in environments with a greater number of potential predators construct their nests more quickly. Additionally, open and smaller nests, as well as those built by both parents, are completed faster than domed or larger nests, or those constructed solely by females. These results provide new insights into the selective pressures shaping nest-building strategies across songbird species.