Wyniki wyszukiwania

1

Nest site selection and breeding success in three Turdus thrush species coexisting in an urban environment

100%

Mikula P., Hromada M., Albrecht T., Tryjanowski P.

Acta Ornithologica

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2014

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tom 49

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nr 1

The process of establishing breeding populations of birds in small towns of Central Europe provides a unique opportunity to study them during synurbization in statu nascendi. Over the years 2006-2011, we investigated the breeding ecology of three coexisting thrush species Turdus spp. in the urban habitats of the town of Bardejov (NE Slovakia). We studied nest distribution, nest predation in relation to nest placement and the breeding success of the Common Blackbird T. merula, Fieldfare T. pilaris and Song Thrush T. philomelos. The study species differed significantly in terms of microhabitat characteristics and vertical spatial distribution, expressed as the nest location height (Blackbird < Song Thrush < Fieldfare), the distance from the town centre (Fieldfare < Song Thrush < Blackbird), the distance from the nest tree to human paths and buildings (Blackbird < Song Thrush < Fieldfare) and the average distance between breeding conspecific pairs (Fieldfare < Blackbird < Song Thrush). We also found significant differences in nesting microhabitats (conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs) usage (breeding in conifers: Song Thrush < Blackbird < Fieldfare). On the other hand, no significant differences were found in breeding success and predation between species. A major factor affecting the predation rate was the distance between nests and the distance to human paths and buildings, and with Fieldfares and Common Blackbirds also the height of trees and the distance to the town centre. Our results suggest that ecological segregation among closely related species can also be common in a changed, urban environment.

2

Density and diversity of hole-nesting passerines: dependence on the characteristics of cavities

84%

Remm J., Lohmus A., Rosenvald R.

Acta Ornithologica

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2008

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tom 43

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nr 1

83-91

In addition to the well-known limiting effect of cavity abundance on the density of hole-nesting passerines, other aspects of cavity availability may shape their communities as well. Notably, where there is a considerable aggregation of cavities, territory-holders may prevent the occupation of the nearest cavities by other birds, whereas a supply of diverse cavities may reduce interspecific competition. We used multivariate general linear models to explore whether, and how, variables describing the supply of small cavities are related to the density and diversity of hole-nest- ing passerine communities in 33 hemiboreal old forest stands. The total density of 12 species (1.3 ± 0.8 pairs/ha) increased with cavity density and diversity, but was not affected by cavity aggregation. As expected, cavity diversity also promoted bird diversity; indeed, the densities of different species were positively related to the densities of different cavity types. The results indicate that segregation in nest-cavity selection affects the co-occurrence of passerine species and, at the mean densities of small tree-cavities in the region (2.3/ha), cavity aggregation does not markedly reduce their availability. In conservation management, therefore, it is important to maintain a diverse supply of cavities in addition to their abundance, in order to sustain hole-nester communities.

3

Nesting sites of the Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major L. in Poland: analysis of nest cards

84%

Hebda G.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2009

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tom 57

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nr 1

149-158

Analysis of 531 nest cards (Polish Nest Record Scheme) of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, obtained in the years 1970–2003 is presented here. The data is derived from almost the whole of Poland, except for the Białowieża National Park. From the material processed for the purpose of this study, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers appear to nest in various types of wooded habitats, especially in forests and they are very flexible in their choice of nesting sites, both in terms of age of tree stands and intensity of human penetration. As a rule, woodpeckers breed mostly in holes made in deciduous trees (oak, birch, and alder). More than 95% of nests were excavated in tree trunks, primarily in dead or weakened trees. Woodpeckers excavated their nest in the range of 0.5–19 m above the ground, with more than 75% of them found in the narrower range from 1–7 m. The height of cavity above the ground did not depend on tree species or vegetation type and was also weakly correlated with the height of tree stands. The openings of cavities showed no statistically significant differences in their geographical orientation. Although the information about woodpecker nests, gathered in the Nest Record Scheme does contain certain errors (such as “habitat preferences” of observers), the obtained results provided a better insight into the nesting ecology of this species in Poland.

4

Site parameters’ variance – a missing dimension in the studies of nest-site selection?

84%

Skorka P., Martyka R., Wojcik J. D., Lenda M.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2011

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tom 59

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nr 2

In most studies of nest-site selection the data of habitat parameters are treated with analysis of variance. A basic assumption of this test is the homogeneity of variance. Here, we show that the nest-site selection process leads to lower variance of the selected parameters than in the case of random points which generally describe the available average characteristics of the environment. Thus, the variance should be accounted for in studies on nest-site selection and it should be treated not as a problem (as it is usually done), but as a source of additional important information on the selection process. Comparison only of mean values often does not lead to significant differences between nest site parameters and random points which may result from a small effect size (when animals select features similar to the general mean of available characteristics). Deeper insight into variance of the site parameters may elicit important results. We illustrate this issue with real data on nest site (islets and shores of water reservoirs) selection in the Common Gull Larus canus. Four (islet’s area, vegetation height on islets, vegetation cover on shore and distance to nearest shrub or tree on shore) from eight parameters were favored by the birds and, as predicted, their variance values were lower than of those not selected (vegetation cover on islets, distance of the islets to shoreline, vegetation height on shore and distance to water).

5

Nest site selection in the urban population of Blackbirds Turdus merula of Szczecin [NW Poland]

84%

Wysocki D.

Acta Ornithologica

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2005

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tom 40

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nr 1

61-69

Nest site selection in the Blackbird was investigated in two urban parks in Szczecin from 1997 to 2003. The age structure of the tree stands, the area of shrub coverage and the number of predators (apart from squirrels) were similar in both parks. 95% of the nests discovered at the beginning of the breeding season were found again in June and July. Any increase in the heights of the nest sites in successive periods of the breeding season and any changes in the type of vegetation selected for nest construction were recorded. In April, Blackbirds most often used coniferous trees. At the start of the season, when deciduous plants began sprouting leaves, Blackbirds preferred those whose leaves appeared earlier. But later in the season, no difference was found between the numbers of nests in trees developing their crowns earlier or later. The shorter period of nest use in conifers is probably due to their selective penetration by corvids. The selective penetration of such trees by predators probably reduces the frequency of nest building in them between the first (pentads 1-3) and second (pentads 4-6) period of the breeding season, despite the fact that they provide better concealment for nests. The selection of nest sites by the Blackbirds in this study confirms both the predator-pressure and the nest-concealment hypotheses.

6

Nesting preferences of Syrian Woodpeckers Dendrocopos syriacus in the agricultural landscape of SE Poland

84%

Michalczuk J., Michalczuk M.

Acta Ornithologica

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2016

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tom 51

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nr 1

The nesting preferences including both habitat and nest site characteristics of Syrian Woodpeckers in the agricultural landscape were assessed based on 69 nest sites described. Orchards were the preferred tree stand of the woodpecker, where 58% of its nests were located. The average diameter of tree in which the woodpeckers nested was much higher than the average trees available in territories (47.4 cm and 32.5 cm respectively). The condition of the nest trees was worse than the average trees present in the territories of the birds. Amongst Syrian Woodpecker nesting habitats, only orchards had a worse state of health compared to trees growing in groups, rows or forests. Apple trees Malus domestica with 43.5% of nest sites were also in worse health condition compared to willows Salix spp. (20.3% of nest sites), poplars Populus spp. and walnut trees Juglans regia. The average height of trees with nest holes was 11.3 m and the average height of nest hole placement was 4.2 m. The Syrian Woodpecker is an ecologically flexible species, but it requires trees with larger diameter trunks that are in poorer health as nest trees, such as, for example, apple trees or soft wood trees such as willows. The protection of non-forest tree stands dominated by these species and orchards, which are preferred by this bird, may be important to maintain the Syrian Woodpecker in the agricultural landscape.

7

Influence of habitat and nest-site quality on the breeding performance of Lanner Falcons Falco biarmicus

84%

Amato M., Ossino A., Brogna A., Cipriano M., D'Angelo R., Dipasquale G., Mannino V., Andreotti A., Leonardi G.

Acta Ornithologica

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2014

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tom 49

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nr 1

Site quality may influence breeding performance especially in raptors showing strong territory fidelity as predicted by the site-dependent population regulation hypothesis. Thus, the occupancy of nest-sites is non-random, indicating a preference of certain territories, apparently of higher quality. During four breeding seasons (2003-2006), we recorded the occupancy rate and the number of young fledged from Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii nest-sites in eastern Sicily, Italy. Breeding sites with different occupancy rates showed significant differences in environmental attributes, mainly altitude. A generalised linear model revealed a significant effect of the slope of the nest-site on mean fledgling number per successful pair. In addition, the mean slope of the nest territory and the slope of the nest-site are the main predictors for differentiating the cliff selection by Lanners and by much more competitive Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus. Finally, our results suggest a crucial role of the high quality sites for the population viability. Occupancy rates were positively related to the mean number of young fledged per territorial pair and during the four years of the study period six high quality nest-sites raised 58% of young produced in the whole study area. We suggest that the annual production of young of the high quality territories should be preserved and that evaluation of the effective contribution of the low quality sites for the persistence of a viable population in Sicily should be performed.

8

Nest-site characteristcs of hole-nesting birds in a primeval boreal forest of Mongolia

67%

Bai M. L., Wichmann F., Muhlenberg M.

Acta Ornithologica

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2005

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tom 40

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nr 1

1-14

Nest sites of nine common hole-nesting bird species were studied in the West Khentey Mountains, NE Mongolia. Among three excavators, the Great Spotfed Woodpecker used more aspens, larger trees, and more living or intact dead trees than the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or the Willow Tit. Among non-excavators, the Nuthatch used mainly old holes of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, and the Red-throated Flycatcher frequently used those of the Willow Tit. Thus, the nest site characters of these two species resembled those of the original excavators, and their nests were placed higher than those of other non-excavators. The Coal Tit and the Great Tit used mostly branch holes in living trees. With respect to nest site use, the Daurian Redstart behaved as a generalist while the Common Treecreeper specialized in long slits. The nest site selection of excavators might be governed by body size, territory size and their different abilities of excavation. The non-excavators were best differentiated by their preferred hole type, and their tree use and nest site characters were mainly a consequence of the location of such holes. Interspecific competition did not appear to be important in the nest site use of hole-nesting birds in the study area.

9

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Differences in nest site selection in White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and Black Tern Chlidonias niger in East-Central Poland

67%

Golawski A., Golawska S.

Kulon

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2018

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tom 23

10

Segregation in sympatrically nesting Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio [L.] and European Starling Sturnus vulgaris L.

67%

Kopij G.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2009

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tom 57

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nr 3

589-595

If two related species come into contact, it could be expected that, in order to coexist, they will either shift their niches apart from each other or one species will replace the other in the course of ever growing competition. Recently, two starling species, the indigenous Red-winged Starling and the exotic European Starling, came into contact in some places in Lesotho (southern Africa). In this paper, some breeding parameters of these species have been compared in an area of their co-occurrence. Studies were carried out in an urbanised habitat in Lesotho, in four consecutive breeding seasons (August–March) during the years 1998–2001. The average density of the Redwinged Starling was 13.8 pairs 100 ha⁻¹, while that of the European Starling was 9.3 pairs 100 ha⁻¹. The proportion of the Red-winged Starling to European Starling breeding pairs (1.0:0.7) was strikingly constant over the four consecutive breeding seasons. Most Red-winged Starling breeding territories (78%, N = 56) were located within builtup areas, while most European Starling territories were located either within built-up areas (25%) or on the border of built-up areas and open areas (59%, N = 41). Most Red-winged Starling nests (96%) were situated in buildings (N = 46), while European Starling nests were located both in tree holes (43%) and in buildings (57%, N = 28). Both starling species show high nest site tenacity. The Red-winged Starling daily activity pattern during the nestling phase differed considerably from that of the European Starling. Although both starling species do not overlap their feeding niches and daily and seasonal activities, their sympatric occurrence in urbanised habitats may be limited, if suitable nesting sites are lacking.

11

Dependence of nest mass on nest hole depth in the Great Tit Parus major

67%

Mazgajski T. D., Rykowska Z.

Acta Ornithologica

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2008

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tom 43

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nr 1

49-55

Predation is considered an important factor affecting the life histories and breeding strategies of hole nesting birds. Breeding losses in this group of birds are related to such nest site characteristics as entrance size, nest site depth and danger distance - the distance between the outer edge of the entrance to the centre of the nest's bottom, which determines how far a predator unable to enter the hole would have to reach to obtain its contents. It is suggested that birds assess predation risk and adjust their breeding investments accordingly. We tested the hypothesis that in shallow nest sites, birds build smaller nests to maintain the largest danger distance possible. During the experiment, two types of nestboxes were available to birds: those typical for small passerines (with a depth of 21 cm), and shallower ones (with a 16 cm depth). Breeding parameters were obtained by controlling nestboxes, the distances between eggs and entrances were measured, and nests were weighed just after the young fledged. Breeding phenology and clutch size did not differ between the types of nestboxes. Nest site depth influenced nest mass, and according to our assumptions, nests were significantly lighter in shallow nestboxes. A clear, negative relationship was found between nest mass and the danger distance — eggs in larger (heavier) nests were closer to the entrance. Breeding success (number of fledglings per eggs laid) was lower for shallow nestboxes compared to normal ones, and nest mass negatively influenced the number of fledglings and breeding success. The results of this study suggest that Great Tits perceive nest site depth and adjust nest building according to predation risks. Nest size (mass) in shallow sites may be limited by the danger distance, but it is also possible that the number of trips with nest material, which could lead to the detection of the site, is also important. However, both explanations are not mutually exclusive, and both are related to avoiding predator pressure.

12

Significance of the breeding season for autumnal nest-site selection by Tree Sparrows Passer montanus

67%

Pinowski J., Pinowska B., Barkowska M., Jerzak L., Zduniak P., Tryjanowski P.

Acta Ornithologica

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2006

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tom 41

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nr 1

13

Habitat and nest site selection in the Common Gull Larus canus in southern Poland: significance of man-made habitats for conservation of an endangered species

67%

Skorka P., Martyka R., Wojcik J. D., Babiarz T., Skorka J.

Acta Ornithologica

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2006

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tom 41

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nr 2

14

Abundance and breeding ecology of Brown Accentors Prunella fulvescens in Lhasa, Tibet

67%

Lu X.

Acta Ornithologica

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2006

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tom 41

|

nr 2

Ograniczanie wyników

Nest site selection and breeding success in three Turdus thrush species coexisting in an urban environment

Density and diversity of hole-nesting passerines: dependence on the characteristics of cavities

Nesting sites of the Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major L. in Poland: analysis of nest cards

Site parameters’ variance – a missing dimension in the studies of nest-site selection?

Nest site selection in the urban population of Blackbirds Turdus merula of Szczecin [NW Poland]

Nesting preferences of Syrian Woodpeckers Dendrocopos syriacus in the agricultural landscape of SE Poland

Influence of habitat and nest-site quality on the breeding performance of Lanner Falcons Falco biarmicus

Nest-site characteristcs of hole-nesting birds in a primeval boreal forest of Mongolia

Differences in nest site selection in White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and Black Tern Chlidonias niger in East-Central Poland

Segregation in sympatrically nesting Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio [L.] and European Starling Sturnus vulgaris L.

Dependence of nest mass on nest hole depth in the Great Tit Parus major

Significance of the breeding season for autumnal nest-site selection by Tree Sparrows Passer montanus

Habitat and nest site selection in the Common Gull Larus canus in southern Poland: significance of man-made habitats for conservation of an endangered species

Abundance and breeding ecology of Brown Accentors Prunella fulvescens in Lhasa, Tibet