Factors determining presence of passerines breeding within White Stork Ciconia ciconia nests

Adam Zbyryt,Marcin Tobolka,Dariusz Jakubas

doi:10.1007/s00114-017-1492-2

Adam Zbyryt, Marcin Tobolka + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-017-1492-2

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Abstract

Nests of White Stork Ciconia ciconia are commonly used by various passerines as nesting sites. In this study, we investigated factors determining presence and number of pairs of species breeding within White Stork nests in an extensive farmland in NE Poland. In 133 (57%) out of 233 White Stork nests, we found at least one breeding pair of passerine bird. These were from three species: House Sparrows Passer domesticus (68% of 133 nests with co-breeding), Tree Sparrows Passer montanus (65%), and Starlings Sturnus vulgaris (30%). The probability of breeding passerines within White Stork nests increased with increasing nest thickness, and was significantly higher in currently occupied nests. Sparrows were more likely to breed in White Stork nests located on electricity poles, situated closer to settlements and surrounded mainly by arable fields where meadows were not prevalent. In this paper, we show that White Stork nests are favorable nesting sites for passerines, as they are well insulated and provide an anti-predatory shield.

Highlights

Many bird species are known to nest in assemblages of several pairs of the same or different species
We examine whether the presence/number of pairs of passerines breeding within WS nests is determined by WS nest thickness or nest location
Our study revealed that > 50% of studied WS nests in NE Poland contained co-breeding passerines

Summary

Introduction

Many bird species are known to nest in assemblages of several pairs of the same or different species. Over 10% of avian species including gulls Laridae, auks Alcidae, waders Charadrii, some raptors Accipitriformes, and many passerines Passeriformes breed colonially (Gill 2007). This has several advantages such as increased predator detection (e.g., Elgar 1989), communal defense (e.g., Stenhouse et al 2005; Jungwirth et al 2015), and facilitated foraging (e.g., Møller 1987; Richner and Heeb 1995). According to the Bpredator protection^ hypothesis (Koskimies 1957), using the nests of other, bigger species may provide passerines with better protection from predators compared to individual breeding sites. The exposed location of the WS nests (on electricity poles, high chimneys, and the tops of buildings) increases predation risk

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