Nest construction is a key element of avian reproductive behaviour and the result is often a complex structure that is used for incubation of eggs, which represents an extended phenotype. It is known that nest construction is a plastic behaviour but the extent to which plasticity is observed in a single species with a wide geographical distribution is largely unknown. This study sought to better understand variation in nest size and composition across a very wide geographical area. The hypothesis suggested that location would affect size but not composition of nests of the European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). Nests and reproductive data were collected from seventeen study sites, spread over 6° of latitude and 3.3° of longitude on the island of Great Britain. Dimensions of nests were measured before they were deconstructed to determine the masses and types materials used in the outer nest and the cup lining. Geographical variation was observed in base thickness of nests but not many other dimensions. Nests varied in composition but were mainly made of leaf, moss, bark, grass, root and fern. Moss was used more to the north and east of the study area compared with more leaf mass towards the south and west. The species of leaf and bark used in the nests varied between geographical locations. Additionally, the use of leaves or bark from a particular tree species did not reflect the incidence of the tree species in the immediate territory. This study showed that nest composition was affected by geographical location over a wide area. Variation between nests at each location was high and so it was concluded that differences in nest composition reflect individual selection of materials but evidence is such that it remains unclear whether this is deliberate to fulfil a specific role in the nest, or simply opportunistic with birds simply picking up materials with the appropriate characteristics as they find them outside their nestbox.

中文翻译：

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地理位置会影响欧洲斑F（Ficedula hypoleuca）巢穴的建造所用的大小和材料

巢的构建是禽类繁殖行为的关键要素，其结果通常是用于孵化卵子的复杂结构，代表了扩展的表型。众所周知，筑巢是一种可塑性行为，但是在一个地理分布广泛的单一物种中观察到可塑性的程度却是未知的。这项研究旨在更好地了解非常广泛的地理区域内巢大小和组成的变化。该假设表明，位置会影响欧洲斑F（Ficedula hypoleuca）巢的大小，但不会影响其组成。巢和生殖数据是从十七个研究地点收集的，分布在大不列颠岛上的纬度6度和经度3.3度。在解构巢之前先测量巢的尺寸，以确定外巢和杯衬中使用的质量和类型的材料。在巢的基底厚度中观察到地理变化，但没有很多其他尺寸。巢的成分不同，但主要由叶，苔藓，树皮，草，根和蕨类植物组成。在研究区域的北部和东部使用了苔藓，而在南部和西部使用了更多的叶子。巢中使用的叶和树皮的种类在地理位置之间有所不同。另外，使用特定树种的叶子或树皮并不能反映该树种在附近地区的发生率。这项研究表明，巢的组成受大范围地理位置的影响。