Consequences of experimental addition of fresh, aromatic plants into nests of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) on the physiological condition of nestlings

The blue tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus ) is one of a few known passerine birds that incorporate fresh fragments of aromatic plants in their nest during the nesting period. In this study, we experimentally tested whether aromatic plants in blue tit nests affect physiological condition of nestlings as indicated by hemoglobin and glucose in the blood. Nestlings in nests supplemented with fresh, aromatic plants had elevated blood hemoglobin, and...