NEST SITE SELECTION OF THE MAGPIE PICA PICA SERICEA IN BEIJING OF CHINA
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30970/sbi.0401.106
Abstract
Nest building and nest site selection of the Black-billed magpie Pica pica sericea were studied in Beijing, China, during 2004–2006. A total of 814 Magpie nests have been checked and measured. The results showed that the first nest building occurred at the end of December, but most pairs started in February. Mostly, a new nest was built for each nesting attempt; sometimes an old nest was renovated. Magpies mobbed potential predators very intensively during the breeding season, especially congeners. Magpies build nests in strong and tall trees (51% of all nests in Populus sp.). If there is no suitable tree for building, they also build their nests on man-made constructions, such as telegraph poles, water towers, etc. Nests were always located in the upper part of the crown, domed and with one or two entrances. Four types of habitat were identified in this study: urban residential area, urban park, suburban area, and exurb. Analysis of the factors that may affect nest site selection in different habitats indicated that the height of the nesting tree was the most important one. From the outer exurb to the city centre, with the increasing number of people and cars, the height of the trees Magpies chose for nesting increased accordingly. Magpies can find enough food and face less predation pressure in the urban area, which enables them to breed successfully in the urban environment of Beijing.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
1. Alatalo R V. Habitat selection of forest birds in the seasonal environment of Finland. Ann. Zool. Fennici, 1981; 18: 103-114. | |
| |
2. Anderson S.H., Shugart H.H. Habitat selection of breeding birds in an east Tennessee deciduous forest. Ecology, 1974; 55: 828-837. | |
| |
3. Baeyens G. Magpie breeding success and Carrion Crow interference. Ardea, 1981; 69: 125-139. | |
| |
4. Badyacv A.V. Nesting habitat and nesting success of Eastern Wild Turkeys in the Arkansas Ozark Highlands. Condor, 1994; 97: 221. | |
| |
5. Barszcz P. [Magpie Pica pica density and nest sites in Cracow-Krowodrza]. Chrońmy przyr. Ojcz, 1998; 54(3): 119-124. | |
| |
6. Bezzel E. Birdlife in intensively used rural and urban environments. Ornis Fennica, 1985; 62: 90-95. | |
| |
7. Birkhead T.R., Eden S.F., Clarkson K. et al. Social organization of a population of magpies Pica pica. Ardea, 1986; 74: 59-68. | |
| |
8. Bokotey A. A. Numbers and distribution of the Magpie Pica pica in Lvov (Ukraine). Acta Ornith, 1997; 32: 5-7. | |
| |
9. Bowman G.B., Harris L.D. Effects of spatial heterogeneity on ground nest depredation. J. Wildl. Manage, 1980; 44: 806-813. | |
| |
10. Charles J.K. Territorial behaviour and the limitation of population size in the crow Corvus corone and Covus cornix. Unpubl. PhD Thesis, Aberdeen University, 1972. | |
| |
11. Chen F.G., Luo S.Y. Fauna Sinica. Aves. Vol.9. Passeriformes. Science Press, 1998. | |
| |
12. Clark R.G., Nudds T.D. Habitat patch size and duck nesting success: the crucial experiments have not been performed. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 1991; 19: 534-543. | |
| |
13. Cody M.L. Habit selection in birds: The roles of vegetation structure, competitors and productivity. Bioscience, 1981; 31: 107-113. | |
| |
14. Cody M.L. Habitat Selection in Birds. Academic Press, INC, 1985. | |
| |
15. Deng W.H., Gao W., Yu Y.M. Occupation of Magpie's nest sites by Long-eared Owls in Secondary forest. Acta Ecological Sinica, 2002; 22(1): 62-67. | |
| |
16. Ding Ch.Q., Zheng G.M. The nest site selection of the Yellow-Bellied Tragopan (Tragopan caboti). Acta Zoologica Sinica, 1997; 43 (1): 27-33. | |
| |
17. Dolenec Z. Breeding density, nest sites, clutch size and egg dimensions of the magpie (Pica pica) in NW Croatia. Nat. Croat, 2000; 9(2): 107-114. | |
| |
18. Doo-Pyo L., Tae-Hoe K. A comparative study of the breeding density of magpies Pica pica sericea Gould, between urban and rural area. Bulletin of the Institute of Ornithology, Kyung Hee University, 1986; 1: 39-51 | |
| |
19. Dott H.E.M. Density of breeding magpies and Carrion crow in south-east Scotland in 1992-93. Scot. Birds, 1994; 17: 205-211. | |
| |
20. Du H.Q. Studies on breeding behavior of Magpie in Taishan Mountain area (Shangdong Province). Chinese Journal of Zoology, 1965; 7(1): 14-16. | |
| |
21. Eguchi K., Takeishi M. The ecology of the Black-billed Magpie Pica pica sericea in Japan. Acta Ornith, 1997; 32: 33-37. | |
| |
22. Fasola M., Brichetti P. Mosaic distribution of Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix and Magpie Pica pica in the Padana plain (Northern Italy). Avocetta, 1983; 7: 67-84. | |
| |
23. Fu B.Q., Chen W., Gao W. A Preliminary Study of Birds in Beijing. Journal of Hebei University (Natural Science Edition), 1996; 16(5): 36-40. | |
| |
24. Gao W., Wang H. T., Sun D.T. The habitat and nest site selection of Jankowski's bunting. Acta Ecologica Sinca, 2003; 23(4): 665-672. | |
| |
25. Goodwin D. Crows of the World. British Museum (Natural History), 1986. | |
| |
26. Górski W. Urban and rural populations of magpies in Koszalin region, NW Poland. Acta Ornith, 1997; 32(1): 51-59. | |
| |
27. Harmata W. [Magpie Pica pica in Cracow - its importance and role in the urban environment]. Chrońmy Przyr. Ojcz, 1985; 4: 24-31. | |
| |
28. Hogstedt G. Prediction and test of the effects of interspecifc competition. Nature (London), 1980; 283: 64-66. | |
| |
29. Indykiewicz P. [Correlation between the location and the construction of magpie's Pica pica (L.) nests in the urban environment] In: Indykiewicz P., Barczak T., Kaczorowski G. (eds.) Bioróżnorodność i ekologia populacji zwierzęcych w środowiskach zurbanizowanych. NICE, Bydgoszcz: 2001, 250-256. | |
| |
30. Jerzak L. [Distribution and nest sites of the magpie in non-urban habitats in Poland]. Notatki ornitologiczne, 1988; 29: 1-2, 27-41. | |
| |
31. Jerzak L. Breeding ecology of an urban magpie Pica pica population in Zielona Gora (SW Poland). Acta Ornith, 1995; 29: 123-133. | |
| |
32. Jerzak L. Magpie Pica pica nest site in urban habitats in Poland. Acta Ornith, 1997; 32(1): 69-76. | |
| |
33. Jerzak L. Synurbanisation of the Magpie in the Palearctic. In: Marzluff J. M., Bowman R., Donnelly R. [eds.] Avian ecology and conservation in an urbanizing world. Kluwer Academic, Norwell, MA: 2002, 405-427. | |
| |
34. Klejnotowski Z. [Urbanization of magpie Pica pica (L.) in Poland]. Roczniki AR w Poznaniu. Ornitologia Stosowana, 1974; LXX(7): 77-87. | |
| |
35. Knight R.L., Fitzner R.E. Human disturbance and nest site placement in Black-billed Magpies. J. Field Ornith, 1985; 56(2): 153-157. | |
| |
36. Lack D. Habitat selecton in birds. J. Anim. Ecol, 1933; 2: 239-262. | |
| |
37. Lehmann R., Degen G., Jaeschke G. Bestandsuntersuchungen an der Elster, Pica pica (L.) in drei Berliner Innenstadtbezirken. Pica, 1986; 11: 2-14. | |
| |
38. Lemke W. Zum Brutbestand der Elster (Pica pica) im Stadtgebiet von Cuxhaven 1969-1976. Vögel. Berichte aus Niedersachsen, 1977; 2: 41-47. | |
| |
39. Lesiński G. [Population increase and adaptations of the magpie Pica pica in the outskirts and suburban built-up areas of Warsaw in 1983-1997]. Kulon, 1998; 3: 185-193. | |
| |
40. Martin T.E. Habitat and area effects on forest bird assemblage: is nest predation an influence? Ecology, 1988; 69: 74-84. | |
| |
41. Marzluff J. M., Bowman R., Donnelly R. [eds.] Avian ecology and conservation in an urbanizing world. Kluwer Academic, Norwell, MA, 2002. | |
| |
42. May L. Population density and nest site selection of magpies Pica pica L. in an urban environment. Unpubl. M.Sc. Thesis, Manchester Polytechnic, 1989. | |
| |
43. Payn W.H. Magpies nesting on television aerials. Brit. Birds, 1991; 84: 513. | |
| |
44. Puszkar. [Location and nest site selection of magpie (Pica pica L.) in Lublin and in nature reserve "Bagno Serebryskie" near Chełm]. In: Puszkar T., Puszkar L. (eds.) Współczesne kierunki ekologii. Ekologia behawioralna. Wyd. UMCS, Lublin, 1997: 107-115. | |
| |
45. Riley T.Z., Davis C.A. Vegetative characteristics of successful and unsuccessful nests of lesser Prairie Chicken. J. Wildl. Manage, 1992; 56: 387-387. | |
| |
46. Roos S. Nest Predation Processes and Farmland Birds: Habitat Selection and Population Dynamics of Predators and Prey. Department of Conservation Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala. PhD Dissertation, 2004. | |
| |
47. Sarychev V.S., Ivanchev V.P. [Urbanization of magpie in the region of the Upper Don River area]. Ptici i urbanisirovannyj landshaft. Kaunus, 1984; 126-127. | |
| |
48. Takeishi M. A study on the ecological actors in the population dynamics and distribution of the Black-billed Magpie Pica pica sericea in Japan. Bull. Kitakyushu Mus. Nat. Hist, 1995; 14: 55-97. | |
| |
49. Takeishi M., Eguchi K. Nest site characteristics in the Black-billed Magpie Pica pica sericea. Japanese Journal of Ornithology, 1994; 42: 53-59. | |
| |
50. Tatner P. Factors influencing the distribution of magpies Pica pica in an urban environment. Bird Study, 1982; 29: 227-234. | |
| |
51. Tuchin A.V., Varshavski S.N. [Distribution and number of synantropic magie populations in a region of the Lower Volga river]. Ekologia, biocenoticheskoe i khoziaistvennoe znachenie vranovih ptic. Moskva: Nauka, 1984: 128-131. | |
| |
52. Valkama J., Korpimaki E., Tolonen P. Habitat utilization, diet and reproductive success in the kestrel in a temporally and spatially heterogeneous environment. Ornis Fennica, 1995; 72(2): 49-61. | |
| |
53. Vogrin M. Density, nest site and breeding success of a rural population of the Magpie in Slovenia. Vogelwarte, 1998; 39: 293-297. | |
| |
54. Vuorisalo T., Hugg T., Kaitainiemi P. et al. Habitat selection and nest site of the Magpie Pica pica in the city of Turku, SW Finland. Ornis Fennica, 1992; 69: 29-33. | |
| |
55. Wallschlaeger D. Ungewöhnlicher Brutplatz der Elster (Pica pica). Berliner Ornith. Bericht, 1994; 4: 23-25. | |
| |
56. Wiens J.A. Habitat fragmentation: Island v landscape perspectives on bird conservation. Ibis, 1995; 137: 97-104. | |
| |
57. Wink M. Zur Verbreitung der Elster (Pica pica) im Bonn. Charadrius, 1967; 3(4): 192-194. | |
| |
58. Witt K. Bestände von Elster (Pica pica) und Nebelkrähe (Corvus corone cornix) auf Berliner Probeflächen 1984. Orn. Ber. F. Berlin (West), 1985; 10: 154-175. | |
| |
59. Xiang G.Q., Gao W. Studies on the breeding habitat of Black-billed Magpie. In: Gao Wei [ed.]. Studies on Chinese Ornithology. Beijing: Science Press, 1991; 102-106. | |
| |
60. Xu Q. The Magpie Nestling's Growth Development and Thermoregulatory Capacity. Journal of Northeast Forestry University, 2002; 30(3): 38-41. | |
| |
61. Xu Q, Gao W., Liu P. Studies on population density and nest distribution of Pica pica in sand bushes in Xianghai Nature Reserve. Journal of Northeast Normal University (Natural Science Edition). sup. 1997; 76-79. | |
| |
62. Yang W.K., Zhong W.Q., Gao X.Y. A Review of Studies on Avian Habitat Selection. Arid Zone Research, 2000; 17(3): 71-78. | |
| |
63. Zhang X.H., Zhang Z.W., Song J. et al. A Study on bird community in spring and summer at Dong Ling Shan area of Beijing. Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science), 2000; 36(5): 677. | |
| |
64. Zhang Z. W., Liang W., Sheng G. Studies on the nest site selection of Daurian Partridge. Zoological Research, 1994; 15(4): 37-43. | |
| |
65. Zheng G.M. Habitat of nest building in birds. Bulletin of Biology, 1962; 2: 18-21. | |
| |
66. Zheng G.M. Ecological distribution of summer birds in Beijing and nearby. Zoological Research, 1984; 5(1): 29. | |
| |
67. Zheng G.M. Ornithology. Beijing. Beijing Normal University Press, 1995; 220-254. | |
| |
68. Zhu X. Studies on Breeding ecology of Black-billed Magpie. Journal of ZheJiang Forestry Science and Technology, 1987; 7(2): 13-16. | |
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2010 Studia biologica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.