Portal Instytut Nauk Biologicznych Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego ul. prof. Z. Szafrana 1, pokój 122, 65-516 Zielona Góra Kampus A, Budynek A-8, tel. +48 (68) 328 23 41, e-mail: sekretariat-inb@wnb.uz.zgora.pl

Due to their common urban status and suspected decline, house sparrows are garnering attention worldwide . Ecological studies, particularly those about roosting behaviour, are scarce compared to the abundance of population studies on this species . We studied the flock of sparrows that roost at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University campus in Wayanad, Kerala, India, with a focus on the environmental factors that affect roosting behaviour . House Sparrows were found to roost in three different flocks on campus . While seasonal variations were noted within the sites, overall abundance did not differ between the sites . Sparrows were found to choose different species of roosting trees and when disturbed, they have been observed to change their roosting locations . It was found that house sparrows gathered at 4:02 PM, pre-roosting at 4:48 PM, and roosting at 5:56 PM . The chirping ceased at 6:08 PM . Environmental variables are known to affect roosting behaviour in sparrows . While light intensity, temperature, and sunset time all had an impact on pre-roosting and roosting behaviour, the assemblage was influenced by the latter . Changes in environmental variables may have an impact on their roosting pattern, which could then have an impact on their fitness in future.

This research delves into the ecology and behavior of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) within the bustling urban environment of the ATC market in Ooty, India. Through a comprehensive study conducted between August 20 and October 3, 2023, various aspects of sparrow dynamics were explored, including population demographics, feeding patterns, nesting preferences, and human interactions . The study area, a 150-year-old market nestled in the Western Ghats, serves as a critical habitat for the sparrows, attracting thousands of visitors daily during peak seasons . Population analysis revealed intriguing trends, with male sparrows exhibiting wider population ranges and variability compared to females . Furthermore, female sparrows displayed consistent feeding patterns throughout the day, with slightly higher counts observed in the evening . Sparrows were observed consuming unconventional food items like beef, chicken, and pork alongside traditional sources such as grains and vegetables, highlighting their adaptability to urban environments and diets . Nesting behavior analysis underscored sparrows’ preference for artificial structures, emphasizing the importance of providing suitable nesting habitats amidst urban development . However, a questionnaire survey revealed a concerning decline in sparrow awareness and conservation efforts among market visitors, necessitating urgent educational initiatives. The impending demolition of the ATC market poses a significant threat to the local sparrow population, emphasizing the need for immediate action to mitigate habitat loss and raise awareness for long-term conservation . Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between sparrows and urban environments, underscoring the importance of proactive conservation measures to ensure the survival of these resilient bird species.

In Poland, wintering Reed Buntings Emberiza schoeniclus have been recorded in all provinces, and are considered common in the west of the country . It is believed that the main Reed bunting wintering habitats in Western Europe (including Poland) are weedy f ields and stubble, less often other habitats . In national faunal monographs, wintering Reed buntings are recorded in a variety of habitats, among which are listed: agricultural landscapes (fields, stubble fields, fallow land), river valleys, various water bodies (lakes, f ish ponds), rubbish-damps, orchards, bogs . The aim of the study is to characterize winter observations of Reed Buntings in Lubuskie Voivodeship, in the context of hab itats and size of bird concentrations . The paper uses 146 observations of Reed Buntings collected in Lubuskie Voivodeship during spontaneous ornithological observations carried out in 1996-2024 . A total of 654 individuals of Reed Buntings were recorded in 146 inspections . Most observations came from January (51 .4%), followed by December (35 .6%), and the least from February (13 .0%) . Reed Bunting observation sites were assigned to five habitat types (wasteland (weedy), grassland, ditch/trash, stubble fields and reeds) . The most common habitat was wasteland (weedy), with a total of 47 .3% . In this habitat, the Reed Buntings were observed most often in every winter month . T he size of the concentration of wintering Reed Buntings ranged from 1 to 50 individ uals (mean 4 .48, SD = 8 .49, N = 146) . Single birds were recorded most often – a total of 48 .6% of all observations . Groups of 2 to 10 individuals accounted for 41 .8%, and f locks of more than 10 birds accounted for 9 .6% of all observations . The environments in which wintering Reed Buntings were most often observed in Lubuskie Voivodeship and the abundance of bird groupings are similar to other regions of the country.

Portal Instytut Nauk Biologicznych Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego ul. prof. Z. Szafrana 1, pokój 122, 65-516 Zielona Góra Kampus A, Budynek A-8, tel. +48 (68) 328 23 41, e-mail: sekretariat-inb@wnb.uz.zgora.pl

Portal Instytut Nauk Biologicznych Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego ul. prof. Z. Szafrana 1, pokój 122, 65-516 Zielona Góra Kampus A, Budynek A-8, tel. +48 (68) 328 23 41, e-mail: sekretariat-inb@wnb.uz.zgora.pl

Portal Instytut Nauk Biologicznych Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego ul. prof. Z. Szafrana 1, pokój 122, 65-516 Zielona Góra Kampus A, Budynek A-8, tel. +48 (68) 328 23 41, e-mail: sekretariat-inb@wnb.uz.zgora.pl

Portal Instytut Nauk Biologicznych Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego ul. prof. Z. Szafrana 1, pokój 122, 65-516 Zielona Góra Kampus A, Budynek A-8, tel. +48 (68) 328 23 41, e-mail: sekretariat-inb@wnb.uz.zgora.pl

Portal Instytut Nauk Biologicznych Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego ul. prof. Z. Szafrana 1, pokój 122, 65-516 Zielona Góra Kampus A, Budynek A-8, tel. +48 (68) 328 23 41, e-mail: sekretariat-inb@wnb.uz.zgora.pl

Abstract We report a case of unusual mixed nesting association of several pairs of Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis and one pair of Lesser Grey Shrikes Lanius minor near Pepelište village (41° 31′ 11″ N, 22° 7′ 41.43″ E), central Macedonia. All nests were built near the trunk of a Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia at a height of ca. 8 m. Although the nests of both species were in close proximity, we observed no interspecific aggression. Such a mixed colony could be advantageous for both species in a locality with abundant nest predators.