The habitat selection of hole-nesting birds in riverine forests along Drava river in Croatia

The influence of floristic and structural habitat characteristics on pri - mary and secondary hole-nesting bird community characteristics was studied. Research was conducted at 66 points in riverine forest stands near the Drava River in Croatia. The standard point count method was used to study bird communities, and the circular plot method to study habitat characteristics. The average tree basal area was used as an indica - tor of age. The studied points were classified into four groups according to the dominant tree species. Forest habitat was found to be very hetero - geneous. A total of 13 bird species were recorded (five primary and eight secondary hole-nesters). The results showed that the number of bird spe - cies, as well as their abundance, depend on both structural and floristic compositions of forest communities. Older forest stands had higher di - versity of bird communities and higher abundance. Birds selected mixed and ash forest, and floristic characteristics had greater impact on the com - position of secondary hole-nesters community. The number of species and the abundance of secondary hole-nesters were positively correlated with the number of species and the abundance of primary hole-nesters. The results may serve as a guideline for sustainable forest management