Roosting of tree sparrow (Passer montanus) and house sparrow (Passer domesticus) in white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nests during winter

Authors: MARCIN TOBOLKA

Abstract: Presented are the results of a preliminary study on wintering and roosting sparrows in white stork nests. The study was conducted in the winters of 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 in the agricultural landscape of western Poland. Wintering sparrows occupied 71% of the white stork nests on at least 1 visit; tree sparrows occurred in 27% of the nests at least once and house sparrows occurred in 66% of the nests at least once. No relationship was found between weather conditions, date, age, or size of the white stork nests and the number of sparrows roosting in them. This may have to do with population structure, age, social hierarchy, or individual preference. This phenomenon needs further and more intensive study.

Keywords: Tree sparrow, Passer montanus, house sparrow, Passer domesticus, white stork, Ciconia ciconia, wintering, roosting, Poland

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