Temperatures in Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Nesting Holes Indicate the Timing of Breeding Phases

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Abstract
In recent years, temperature data loggers have been used to collect breeding details including the duration of incubation breaks, detect the exact start of incubation, and record unsuccessful breeding in various types of bird nests. Nevertheless, the majority of conventional techniques are inapplicable in subterranean settings. This study presents the results of using a temperature data logger to monitor breeding phases and the transitions between them in the natural nest holes of the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. The first sensor was placed inside an occupied nest chamber (during egg laying or incubation) beside the clutch, while the second sensor was placed in a reference hole near the nest at the same depth and height as the occupied nest hole. The temperature inside the nest chamber and the reference hole was measured continuously at one-minute intervals. Measurements were taken during various time periods, from egg laying/incubation to the successful fledging of chicks or their death. The temperature curves clearly indicate the laying of the eggs, the start of incubation, successful fledging, or the death of chicks in the nest chamber, and even other fine details such as diurnal fluctuations or levels of thermal stability. It was not always possible to determine exactly when the chicks hatched from the temperature data, as incubated eggs and freshly hatched chicks have similar temperature demands and receive similar heat from the brooding parent.

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