The feedback hypothesis has been proposed to explain variation in nest defe
nce intensity in birds. In species in which the female builds the nest and
incubates the eggs, this hypothesis predicts a higher level of nest defence
initially for females, whereas males' responses should increase when they
start feeding nestlings. We studied changes in nest defence by both sexes d
uring the nestling period in meadow pipits, Anthus pratensis. We placed a s
tuffed stoat, Mustela erminea, 5 m from a meadow pipit nest with nestlings
aged either 2-4 or 7-12 days and recorded the nest defence behaviour of bot
h parents for 10 min. Males came closer to the predator and mobbed more int
ensely for older nestlings whereas females defended the nest at a high inte
nsity from the beginning of the nestling period. This finding agrees with t
he predictions of the feedback hypothesis. We also discuss possible functio
ns of alarm calls and number of mobbing birds during nest defence. (C) 2001
The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.