Breeding output and nest predation patterns in steppe-associated Mediterranean birds: the case of the Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

The main purpose of this study was to provide exhaustive and extensive data on the breeding biology of the Mediterranean Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris . Reproduction was studied within two populations nesting in shrubsteppes in central Spain. We compared breeding parameters (including hatching success, productivity, incubation, brood failures, predation rates, clutch and brood size) between study areas, and among years within each area. Our results suggest that Tawny Pipit reproduction in Spanish shrubsteppes is influenced by two main related factors: timing of breeding and nest predation. We detected seasonal declines in most breeding parameters, but a mid-season peak in productivity. Although large-sized broods were detected at the beginning of the breeding season, the recruitment of these juveniles was very low due to high predation rates on early broods. Finally, our results are compared with the scarce available data from previous breeding studies from other European Tawny Pipit populations.