scholarly journals Breeding Bird Assemblage in a Mosaic of Urbanized Habitats in a Central European City

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
European City ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Central European ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
Corvus Cornix

Abstract There is a lack of data on the population densities of birds breeding in a mosaic of typical urbanized habitats. This study was undertaken to partly fulfil this gap in our knowledge. Counts were conducted in 2008 by means of simplified territory mapping method in a fragment (1197 ha) of a large Central European city (Wrocław, SW Poland). In total, 50 bird species were breeding in the study area in 2008. The House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Common Swift Apus apus and Rock Dove comprised about 3/5 of all breeding pairs. The other group of species, each one with a density between 6 and 13 pairs per 100 ha, included seven species, namely the Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, House Martin, Delichon urbica, Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus, Great Tit, Parus major, Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus, and Jackdaw, Corvus monedula. They comprised together about 1/5. The remaining 40 species nested in a density between 0.1 and 3.5 pairs per 100 ha. The most numerous feeding guild were granivores (53.8%) and insectivores (37.9 %). Birds nesting on buildings comprised together 74 % of all breeding pairs. For a few species (Luscinia megarhynchos, Saxicola torquata, Corvus cornix and Turdus pilaris) an increase in their numbers in the last three decades has been evidenced.

scholarly journals Population Densities of Birds Breeding in Urbanized Habitats in the Grabiszyn District in the City of Wrocław

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Pica Pica ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
The City

Abstract Studies were carried out in 2010 by mean of simplified version of the mapping method. The study area (395 ha) was located close to the city centre. It comprised a mosaic of urbanized habitats, with a clear dominance of green areas, such as parks (41.1 ha), gardens, cemeteries and tree clumps. A total of 48 breeding bird species were recorded in the whole study area. The most common (<25 pairs/100 ha) were Passer domesticus, Passer montanus, Sturnus vulgaris, Parus caeruleus, Parus major, Apus apus and Columba livia. Numerous (7-15 pairs/100 ha) were also the following species: Columba palumbus, Turdus pilaris, Sylvia atricapilla, Serinus serinus, Turdus merula and Pica pica. Insectivorous birds were the most common birds constituting 63.3%, and granivorous -32.6% of all pairs recorded. Most birds nested in tree holes (39.3%), in/on buildings (30.2%) and in trees/shrubs (25.6%). Distribution of breeding pairs of 23 bird species was presented on maps. Population trends for 17 species were documented. Rapid increase in numbers of Turdus pilaris, Corvus cornix and Phoenicurus phoenicurus and decrease of Pica pica were recorded.

scholarly journals Population density and structure of birds breeding in an urban habitat dominated by large baobabs (Adansonia digitata), Northern Namibia

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-360
Author(s):  
G. Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Adansonia Digitata ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
The Town

Large baobabs are regarded as key plant species in the savannah biome. In this study their role in shaping the avian community has been evaluated. The territory mapping method has been employed to quantify the avian breeding community in the town Outapi (ca. 130 ha), Northern Namibia, well-endowed with large baobabs. A total of 29 breeding bird species were recorded. The alien House Sparrow was by far the most numerous species comprising 48.4% of all breeding birds. The Blue Waxbill and African Palm Swift were also classified as dominant species, comprising together 17.4%. Granivores were by far the most numerous feeding guild, comprising 77.2% of all birds breeding, while the insectivores comprised only 11.8%. Birds nesting in/on buildings comprised 52.7%, those nesting on trees/shrubs – 42.0%. The population densities of many bird species (e.g. doves from the genus Stepropelia, bulbuls, weavers) were comparatively low. Such a situation could have been caused by the exceptionally high population density of the Pied Crow. In the study area, there were 15 breeding pairs and about 100–150 non-breeding individuals. The baobabs may provide them with a feeding resource in the form of the sweet fruits. The crows, as nest predators, feed also on the eggs and nestlings of other birds. Doves seem to be especially prone to such predation, as their nests are easily to detect and destroy. As a result, they have to breed in low density. This in turn, may release other dominant granivores in the study area, namely sparrows. They are not vulnerable to crow nest predation, as their nests are usually well-concealed under eaves and in holes of buildings.

scholarly journals Population density and structure of a breeding bird community in a suburban habitat in the Cuvelai drainage system, northern Namibia

2021 ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
G. Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Diversity Index ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Shannon’S Diversity Index

In a suburb (c. 100 ha) of Ongwediva, a total of 30 breeding bird species were recorded in 2018. Shannon’s Diversity Index was 2.01. Passer domesticus comprised almost half of all breeding pairs (36.4 pairs / 10 ha). Granivores were by far the most numerous feeding guild, comprising 77.5 % of all birds breeding. Birds nesting on/in buildings were represented by two species only, but they comprised almost half (49.9 %) of all breeding birds. In comparison with other southern African towns, the number of bird species breeding in Ongwediva was low. This was compensated by high population densities of some species.

scholarly journals Comparison of population densities of selected bird species breeding in main urban habitats in southwestern Poland

Biologija ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Residential Area ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Pica Pica ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Corvus Cornix ◽  
Reverse Situation

A simplified version of the territory mapping method was used. Four counts were conducted in a fragment of the city of Wrocław in the spring and early summer 2010. Two main urban habitats were distinguished: a densely built-up area with block buildings and a residential area with flat houses. In total, 44 bird species were recorded as breeding in the whole study area. Five species nested in a density higher than 10 pairs per 100 ha each: Columba palumbus, Pica pica, Streptopelia decaocto, Sylvia atricapilla, and Turdus merula. Whereas in the densely built-up areas Columba palumbus and Streptopelia decaocto were equally common, in the residential area Streptopelia decaocto was almost three times more common than Columba palumbus. Pica pica was about three times more common than Corvus cornix both in the builtup areas and in the residential areas. Although densely built-up areas and residential areas have a similar species composition, many species breed in different densities. This is probably due to a different structure of vegetation. While tall trees are relatively common and shrubs rare in the densely built-up areas, the reverse situation prevails in residential areas.

scholarly journals Formation of nesting bird communities in parks on the gradient of anthropic load in Kiev metropolis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (23) ◽  
pp. 41-59
Author(s):  
T. V. Shupova ◽  
◽  
S. N. Koniakin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Ficedula Albicollis ◽  
Erithacus Rubecula ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
Nesting Density

In settlements, safe places for birds nesting and feeding need to be created. The purpose of the work is to assess the state and identify vectors of the formation of nesting bird communities in parks under the pressure of anthropic load in the metropolis. In parks of Kyiv 62 species of birds nest. Such faunogenetic complexes like European nemoral (25.0–53.3%), Desert-mountain (12.0–27.8%) and Forest-steppe (6.9–25.0%) prevail. The number of community species in each of parks is 49–12, the average nesting density is 0.08±0.02–0.9±0.19 pairs / ha, and the dispersion is 0.12–1.62. With the combination of anthropic load on biotopes of more than 140 points with a small area of parks (2.0–16.5 ha), the species composition of communities decreases, and the average nesting density and density dispersion increase. Dominated by density: Parus major, Columba livia, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdus merula, Passer domesticus, Passer montanus, Fringilla coelebs, Columba palumbus, Apus apus, Ficedula albicollis, Erithacus rubecula, Turdus pilaris. All birds in communities are obligate synanthropes (12.9%; n=62) or hemisinanthropes. Obligate synanthropes are distributed in communities of 0-7 species. According to the gradient of increasing anthropic load on parks, logarithmic trends show a slight increase in the percentage share of obligate synanthropes in the species composition and in the number of breeding pairs. 47–70% nest on trees, 0–14.3% in shrubs, 0–13.0% on ground and in buildings. In parks, birds (16–38% of the species composition), in addition to using species-specific stations, nest in the cavities of buildings. Such species like Motacilla alba L., Sturnus vulgaris, Ficedula albicollis, Muscicapa striata Pallas, Erithacus rubecula, Parus major, Passer domesticus, Passer montanus nest in this way. Due to this nesting strategy, the need of the birds in hollows and the dependence on the woodpeckers in the community decreases. High parameters of the Shannon index (1.51–3.14) and Pielou index (0.61–0.95) were revealed, with low data of the Berger-Parker index (0.15–0.61). With an anthropic load of more than 160 points, there is a sharp decrease in species diversity, evenness of species, and increased dominance pressure. Cluster analysis showed the division of bird communities into similarity groups according to the area of the parks, the proximity of parks to the outskirts of the city and large forest tracts of the area and specifics of the anthropic load.

scholarly journals Structure of the breeding bird community along the urban gradient in a town on the Zambezi River, north-eastern Namibia

Biologija ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Similarity Index ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Urban Gradient ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Urbanization Gradient ◽  
The Town ◽  
Zambezi River

A simplified mapping method was employed to quantify avian assemblages in three study plots in a modified riparian forest on the Zambezi River in the town of Katima Mulilo, NE Namibia. The plots were arranged along the urbanization gradient: plot A (34 ha; 0–1 km from centre of the town), plot B (27 ha; 1–2 km from the centre), and plot C (24 ha; 2–3 km from the centre; periphery). In total, 51 breeding bird species were recorded in all three plots. Five of them, Columba livia domestica, Passer diffusus, Pycnonotus tricolor, Streptopelia senegalensis, and Uraeginthus angolensis were classified as dominant species. The cumulative dominance was 69.9%. The overall population density of all breeding species increased with the urban gradient. In general, granivorous birds were by far the most numerous feeding guild comprising 68.7% of all breeding birds. Two other guilds, frugivorous and insectivorous birds, together comprised 28.9%. While the proportion of granivores decreased along the urban gradient from the town centre to its periphery, the proportion of insectivores increased. The proportion of birds nesting in/on buildings decreased, and the share of tree/shrub- and hole-nesting birds increased along the urban gradient. The diversity indices were relatively high in all plots. They decreased only slightly along the urban gradient (from the centre to the periphery). However, the Pielou’s Evenness Index was comparatively low, but on a slight increase along the urbanization gradient. The Sorensen Similarity Index was low, but the values of the three studied plots were very similar.

scholarly journals Gnezdilke Parka Škocjanske jame (Kras, JZ Slovenija)/ The breeding birds of Škocjan Caves Park (Kras, SW Slovenia)

Acrocephalus ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (162-163) ◽  
pp. 139-152
Author(s):  
Jernej Figelj ◽  
Primož Kmecl
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Active Species ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Eagle Owl ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Caprimulgus Europaeus ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract The aim of the study done in 2011 and 2012 was to identify the number of breeding bird species, to provide population estimates as well as to evaluate the conservational importance of Škocjan Caves Park for birds. Common bird species were surveyed using the territory mapping method. Rare species and nocturnally active species were surveyed using species-specific methods: observation, the playback method and the line transect method. 81 species were registered, 49 of which bred within the boundaries of the Park. The most abundant breeding species were Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (260-320 breeding pairs), Robin Erithacus rubecula (250-310 breeding pairs), Blackbird Turdus merula (230-280 breeding pairs), Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (230-280 breeding pairs) and Marsh Tit Poecile palustris (200-240 breeding pairs). Qualifying species for the Special Protected Area (SPA) Kras (SI5000023) also bred within the Park: Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, Scops Owl Otus scops and Woodlark Lululla arborea. Eagle Owl Bubo bubo was also registered, but breeding attempts during the study period were unsuccessful due to the negative influence of several factors. One of the largest colonies of Alpine Swifts Apus melba, a rare and localized species in Slovenia, is also of conservation concern.

Within and between population variations of incubation rhythm of great tits Parus major

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (12-13) ◽  
pp. 1827-1845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Álvarez ◽  
Emilio Barba
Keyword(s):  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Great Tit ◽  
Central European ◽  
The North ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
First Time ◽  
Incubation Rhythm

Uniparental incubation frequently means that eggs remain unattended for periods where the incubating bird is foraging out of the nest. The determination of incubation rhythms (i.e., the length and temporal pattern of incubation sessions) and the factors which affect them are therefore important to understand life-history trade-offs. We described the incubation rhythm and its temporal variation of a southern European great tit Parus major population, and review previous studies to check for latitudinal trends. In the studied population, females were active (from first exit in the morning to last entrance in the evening) 12.5 h per day, performing incubation sessions (on-bouts) of 26 min and recesses (off-bouts) of 12 min. Thus, they were incubating around 67% of their active day, or 83% of the whole day. Attentiveness (% of time incubating) increased throughout the incubation period, due to shorter off-bouts. The active day was longer as the number of daylight hours increased. We show for the first time in a bird species that attentiveness was constant along a latitudinal gradient ranging from Norway to Spain. Females spend a higher proportion of the daylight hours out of the nest as latitude decreases, compensating incubation time during the longer nights. Off-bouts were shorter in central European populations, increasing towards the north and the south, while on-bouts showed no latitudinal variation.

scholarly journals Structure of avian communities in lowland coniferous forests in Opole Silesia (SSW Poland)

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-161
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Diversity Index ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Total Surface Area ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Shannon’S Diversity Index

Abstract In Poland, forests comprise 31% of the total surface area, while the lowland coniferous forests comprise 51% of 94 000 km2 afforested areas. The line transect method was employed in 2002 and 2004 to estimate population densities and dominance of all bird species breeding in a selected fragment of such forest (eight transects with 165 sections and 77.7 km in total length). In total, 54 breeding bird species were recorded. The numbers varied between 37 and 44 on the particular transect. The number of breeding pairs per 10 ha varied on each transect from 41.0 to 93.6 (x=64.8; SD=102.22). Shannon’s diversity index varied between 1.2 and 1.4 on particular transects, while Simpson’s diversity index varied between 0.7 and 0.9. Also Pieleau’s evenness index varied slightly between 0.05 and 0.07. In overall, the differences between densities of breeding species on 8 transects were not statistically significant. The Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs was by far the most numerous bird species, recorded as eudominant in all eight transects and present in all 165 sections. The second to the Chaffinch was the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita; also recorded in all sections and as a dominant in all transects. Three other species, namely the Blackbird Turdus merula, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus and Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla were recorded each one in more than 90% sections (N=165), and on particular transects their dominance varied between 4 and 11%. Residents comprised 57.5% of all breeding pairs. Short-distance migrants were almost twice more common than long-distance migrants. Insectivores were by far the most numerous feeding guild represented 88.9% of all breeding pairs. Overall density, cumulative dominance, diversity and evenness were unexpectedly very similar in this study (managed forest) and in natural primeval lowland coniferous forests of Białowieża.

scholarly journals Poročilo o obročkanju ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2016 in pojavljanje mušje listnice Phylloscopus inornatus v 25 letih v Sloveniji

Acrocephalus ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (174-175) ◽  
pp. 171-202
Author(s):  
Al Vrezec ◽  
Dare Fekonja
Keyword(s):  
Rare Species ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Great Tit ◽  
Sylvia Atricapilla ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
Cygnus Olor ◽  
White Storks ◽  
Emberiza Melanocephala ◽  
Mute Swans

Abstract In 2016, data on 176 bird species were gathered during bird ringing activities in Slovenia. A total of 65,711 birds of 165 different species were ringed. Furthermore, 148 recoveries of birds ringed in Slovenia and found abroad, 245 foreign recoveries in Slovenia and 1840 local recoveries were made. The most frequently ringed species was the Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla. Among the ringed nestlings, Great Tits Parus major, Tree Sparrows Passer montanus and White Storks Ciconia ciconia predominated. Considering recoveries of birds ringed or found abroad, the most frequent were finds based on colour rings, especially of Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Mute Swans Cygnus olor and Common Terns Sterna hirundo. As far as local recoveries are concerned, most data were collected for Great Tit and Siskin Spinus spinus. Among rare species, two Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus were ringed, one Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola, one Little Emberiza pusilla and one Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala, the latter as a singing male, which probably also bred in 2016. The catch frequency of the Yellow-browed Warblers has indeed been increasing in Slovenia in the last 25 years, but this is still a rare and irregular vagrant on autumn migration.

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