{"title":"Importance Of Nest Sites Availability For Abundance And Changes In Number Of House- And Tree Sparrow In Warsaw","authors":"A. Węgrzynowicz","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract House- and Tree Sparrows were censused on 55 plots (684 ha), representing 3 habitats: housing estates, parks and allotment gardens in Warsaw from 2005-2009 and in 2012. Also, the data on nest sites of both species were gathered. Data from 70s/80s of the other authors enabled to determine the changes in number of sparrows. The population of House Sparrow decreased on average by 48% and the sharpest decline was found in allotment gardens. The decline continued in the period of studies, i.e. in 2005-2012. Tree Sparrow showed an increase from 70s/80s by 68% although in 2005-2012 the population was stable or even decreased. House Sparrows nested mainly in crevices in buildings, and suboptimal nest sites – such as nest-boxes and holes in trees – were occupied only in these areas where food condition were particularly good. Resources of optimal nest sites on studied area was almost entirely sufficient for House Sparrows population. Number of House Sparrow was related to area/presence of buildings. Renovations of buildings strongly influenced local number of this species, however they were not the main cause of its decline. Although nest-boxes were occasionally used by H. Sparrow, their presence could not stop the decrease in numbers caused by loss of nest sites. Tree Sparrow showed greater plasticity in their choice of nest sites. In parks their abundance was correlated with the number of nest boxes. It was suggested that in this habitat, the observed decrease of House Sparrow with simultaneous abandonment of nest-boxes (and other nest sites) may have contributed to the increase in Tree Sparrows.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126158823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Species Composition Of Birds Colliding With Noise Barriers In Białystok (North-Eastern Poland)","authors":"Adam Zbyryt, A. Suchowolec, Rafał Siuchno","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Until now in Poland there was no relevant data about the species composition of birds colliding with reflective plate glass in building construction and noise barriers. The research was conducted in 2010-2012. For the first two years the research was conducted only in breeding season, field control was carried out from 2 to 5 days. Since November 2011 an all year-long monitoring was started and the area was controlled once a week. In winter 2011/12 and spring 2012 there was conducted an experiment on time of carrion loss. In total there were 269 dead birds representing 43 species. The victims of window strikes were mainly common species, small or medium size passerines, residing and foraging in the low vegetation up to several meters above the ground (89%). According to the status of the species: 55% were resident or partially resident, 38% were short-distance migrants and 7% were long-distance migrants. At the base of the experiment on speed of carrion loss (N = 30), it was found that 17% of dead birds were removed after 1 week, 43% after 2 weeks and 23% after 3 weeks. There were 4 injured and stupefied birds found, despite the first aid all birds died from 3 to 48 hours after collision.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"75 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127411327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Supplemental Feeding Of Birds In Human Settlements Of Western Poland","authors":"Karolina Chosińska, Leszek Duduś, Z. Jakubiec","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0018","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION Humans are probably the only species which obtain satisfaction from helping other species, including the feeding of animals. Since the end of the XIX century it has been proposed to feed birds, but only in the recent decades – due to the massive growth of urban populations with an accompanying increase of the urban areas and the synanthropisation and urbanisation of many animal species – bird feeding became more common and can be conducted throughout the year. In supplemental feeding of birds we can distinguish between targeted actions and involuntary actions. Among ornithologists two extreme attitudes are apparent: The suggestion to completely abandon feeding and stop providing nest boxes on the one hand, and the strong propagation of both supplementary feeding and putting up nest boxes to enrich the composition and abundance of birds on the other hand (Berthold and Mohr 2008). The results of several studies indicate that supplemental feeding of birds must follow specified rules (Berthold and Mohr 2008, Graszka-Petrykowski 2008, Szokalski and Wojtatowicz 1989). This view has been commonly accepted now. In cities species inhabiting the built-up and green areas as well as water birds are usually fed (Berthold and Mohr 2008). Despite the fact that the problem of feeding birds has been studied often an in depth in Western Europe and North America, in Poland there are no publications on this topic so far. Supplemental feeding of birds has also biological consequences, increasing survival and breeding success in the next season (Doerr and Silvy 2002, Robb et al. 2008).","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125876447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Use Of Nest-Boxes By Two Species Of Sparrows (Passer Domesticus And P. Montanus) With Opposite Trends Of Abundance – The Study In Warsaw","authors":"A. Węgrzynowicz","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The occupation of nest-boxes by House- and Tree Sparrow in Warsaw was investigated in 2005-2009 and in 2012. Riparian forests, younger and older parks in downtown, and housing estates were included in the study as 4 types of habitats corresponding to the urbanization gradient of Warsaw. 1035 inspections of nest-boxes suitable for both species (type A) were carried out during the breeding period and 345 nest-boxes of other types were inspected after the breeding period. In order to determine the importance of nest-boxes for both species on different plots, obtained data were analyzed using Nest-box Importance Coefficient (NIC). This coefficient describes species-specific rate of occupation of nest-boxes as well as the contribution of the pairs nesting in them. Tree Sparrow occupied a total of 33% of A-type nest-boxes, its densities were positively correlated with the number of nest-boxes, and seasonal differences in occupation rate were low for this species. The NIC and the rate of nest-box occupation for Tree Sparrow decreased along an urbanization gradient. House Sparrow used nest-boxes very rarely, only in older parks and some housing estates. Total rate of nest-box occupation for House Sparrow in studied plots was 4%, and NIC was relatively low. However, locally, installation of nest-boxes limited House Sparrow decline caused by reduced availability of its typical nest sites. Both species used only A-type nest boxes. The rate of nest-box occupation by House Sparrow decreased sharply since 1980s, and opposite trend was observed for Tree Sparrow. These alterations are consistent with the general changes in both species populations in Warsaw in recent decades: decrease in House Sparrow and increase in Tree Sparrow number. The presented results suggest that loss of nest sites may not be the main reason of decrease in House Sparrow population in Warsaw. Additionally, House Sparrow decline leads to increase in nest sites (including nest-boxes) available for Tree Sparrow, what may contribute to the expansion of the latter species.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"86 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115543319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Breeding Population Of Rook Corvus Frugilegus In Major Cities Of Podlaskie Voivodship (NE Poland)","authors":"Adam Zbyryt, M. Polakowski","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Until now, there was no relevant data about the rook breeding populations in cities of north-eastern Poland. The main research was conducted in 2012, whereas in Białystok, which is the capital of Podlaskie voivodeship, the data was collected also in 2007. During the research 2329 nests forming 42 colonies were noted in three major cities, i. e. Białystok, Suwałki and Łomża. Mean density in mentioned cities was 5.17 pairs/km2, 9.71 pairs/km2 and 33.09 pairs/km2 respectively. In Białystok and Łomża the colonies were located only in the city centre, while in Suwałki they were observed also in the suburbs. Between 2007 and 2012 in Białystok has been a slight increase in the number of colonies and of their average size and, simultaneously, a decrease in the number of pairs nesting separately.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122866018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Blue Tits Cyanistes Caeruleus And Great Tits Parus Major As Urban Habitat Breeders","authors":"J. Bańbura, M. Bańbura","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Great Tit Parus major and the Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus are the only Western Palearctic Parids that maintain numerous urban populations as well as forest populations. Because of their evolutionary history both these species are best adapted to different types of deciduous and mixed forests. Ecological conditions in cities are different from those dominating in forests, especially in such aspects as: habitat fragmentation, tree species composition, microclimate, human activity, predators and food conditions. The tits breeding in cities start laying eggs earlier in the season, lay smaller clutches and fledge fewer fledglings of lower quality. Yet urban populations are often relatively stable in numbers. This may result from the fact that survival of winter is higher in cities due to increased availability of food and milder weather.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"126 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123706642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seasonal Changes In Group Size And Foraging Activity In An Urban Population Of Magpies (Pica Pica)","authors":"L. Jerzak, Olaf Ciebiera, Joerg Boehner","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We studied seasonal variation in group size and feeding activity in an urban population of Magpies in Zielona Góra, Western Poland. Each month from 1984 to 1987 we counted the species along a 10 km transect across the city and noted the number of single birds, pairs and flocks as well as flock size. In 1999 and 2000 we regularly observed Magpies foraging on the lawns of a park of Zielona Góra and recorded the number of pecks, as a measure for feeding activity. Magpies were most often encountered as single birds in April and May, as pairs in March, and in flocks in August. This pattern is predominantly dictated by the constraints of the breeding season and by reproductive success. The mean flock size was highest in August. Pecking rate showed a minimum in the summer months, with no sex-specific difference. However, males were much more active in foraging during winter, probably due to their larger body size and the respective higher energetic requirements.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122671311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Changes In Tree Sparrow Passer Montanus Populations From Urban Parks","authors":"L. Tomiałojć","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Studies of local Tree Sparrow Passer montanus populations from urban parks of Polish cities reveal changes in abundance and in nest site selection which differ from data collected from farmland. These changes are not always synchronous among neighbouring cities and parks. Several urban declines are difficult to explain, chiefly when obscured by the changes in the number of artificial nesting sites. One such case was a recorded decline Tree Sparrow and a switch to nesting in buildings observed in the Szczytnicki Park of Wrocław, after colonization by pine martens Martes martes. Judging from this the absence/presence of important predators or nest predators in other urban parks of Polish cities may be an additional factor promoting Tree Sparrow declines. It is suggested that a lack of precise data on the intensity of (mosaic-like in time and space) predation pressure in agricultural and urban landscapes should be considered when explaining the reasons for population changes in other bird species.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"54 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134275300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Misapplied Ecology: Investigations Of Population Decline In The House Sparrow","authors":"C. P. Bell","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124630570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Production Of Melanin-Based Plumage Traits In Male House Sparrows: No Effect Of Dietary Copper","authors":"I. Stewart, D. Westneat","doi":"10.1515/isspar-2015-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/isspar-2015-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In many bird species, males possess conspicuous patches of black feathers on their head or breast, the size of which is often positively related to their success in intra- and intersexual interactions. The production of these plumage signals is presumed to depend upon one or more limiting factors which prevent low quality males developing large signals in order to gain the associated benefits. The coloration of these feathers is due to their infusion with the pigment melanin, which birds synthesize endogenously during a series of conversion steps beginning with the enzymatic oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine. Copper is the cofactor of the enzyme responsible for this process, and it is possible that copper level limits the activity of the enzyme and therefore limits melanin production. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating the level of dietary copper available to individually caged juvenile and adult house sparrows (Passer domesticus) throughout their moult. Birds were provided with artificial diets containing either 100%, 50% or 10% of the recommended level of copper. Dietary copper did not affect the size of the black breast patch, the most obvious melanin-based plumage trait in this species, nor did it affect the reflectance of the black feathers. In sum, we reject the hypothesis that dietary copper limits the size or blackness of the breast patch of the male house sparrow.","PeriodicalId":126939,"journal":{"name":"International Studies on Sparrows","volume":"82 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129345668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}