Abstract: The selection of suitable nesting tree is an important strategy for birds’ nest site selection of microhabitats, because nesting tree could increase breeding success by providing high concealment of nest site. To investigate nesting tree selection preferences and the effects on breeding fates for Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea), the nest tree characteristics, nest site concealment and breeding outcome of 185 nests were investigated in Daweishan Nature Reserve, Liuyang, Hunan, China, from 2019 to 2021. Correlations between nesting tree selection preferences, nest concealment and breeding success of Red-billed Leiothrix were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Red-billed Leiothrix had a significant preference for life-form and species of nesting tree. The selection frequency was the highest for shrub and small-diameter bamboo species, including Yushania farinosa, Stephanandra chinensis, and Symplocos paniculata. (2) Red-billed Leiothrix had different requirements for different location concealments, who preferred nesting locations with higher concealment of the up-side (Mean=63.14%±1.65%) and the around-side (Mean=51.89%±1.53%). (3) The mean of combined concealment of the nest was 45.23%±1.65%, with a positive correlation with breeding success. The nesting tree selection preference of Red-billed Leiothrix was well explained by the “total-foliage” hypothesis. The results can provide scientific reference for the conservation and restoration of the breeding habitats of Red-billed Leiothrix.

Key words: bird, nest-site micro-habitat, nest-tree selection strategy