Effects of urbanization on reproductive strategies in neotropical birds

Urbanization is a force that transforms the environment and negatively affects biodiversity. One of the dimensions that can be affected by urban intensification is reproduction, a major population process. Here, we investigated how urbanization is affecting the reproduction of birds in a large city within a savannah in central Brazil. To achieve this, we explored five reproductive characteristics along an urbanization gradient: nest height above the ground, clutch size, brood parasitism, number of brood parasite eggs (Shiny Cowbird - Molothrus bonariensis), and use rate of exotic plants for nesting. We found that species that breed in urban areas build their nests above the ground, these nests are more parasitized and there is an increase in the use of exotic plants. On the other hand, the intensity of urbanization neither changed their reproductive investment (clutch size) nor the number of brood parasite eggs laid per nest. A better understanding of how bird reproduction is being altered in urban environments is essential for targeting biodiversity management in cities.