The singers and the stingers: nesting birds and the wasps that protect them

At least 100 species of birds have been found to nest in association with social wasp and bee nests. The few studies that have recorded the breeding cycle of these birds show that the individuals that nest near wasp or bee nests usually have a higher fledging success rate than those that do not nest near wasps or bees. Many variables such as wasp/bee species, colony size, nest size and nest location may be factors in the placement of the birds' nests. This study looks at the insects' sting pain index as a factor in bird-wasp/bee nest associations.