Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 43(1-2) 2000

Issue:

VOL 43(1-2) 2000

Keywords:

Raven, Corvus corax, nesting adaptation, electricity pylons, farmland, W Poland

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Ravens Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758, nesting on electricity pylons in the Wielkopolska region

• Jan BEDNORZ

Abstract:

In Europe the Wielkopolska region is the most westerly localized area over which Ravens nest in considerable numbers on electricity pylons. In the years 1996-1998 116, 115, and 114 pairs were observed to nest on pylons. Over the distance of 1850 km of the electricity lines controlled, there were 356 nests. The mean density of Ravens was 0.6 birds per 10 km of the line, while the maximum density was 4.0 birds per 10 km of the line. The Ravens preferred farmland - 95.4% nests. The population observed was characterized by a high nesting success of 78.8% in 1997 and 92.0% in 1998, and high productivity o f young birds of 3.3 juveniles per one nest with the known number of nestlings. The Ravens are faithful to once-chosen pylons and even to specific sites on them. It has been shown that the Ravens nest on pylons in considerable numbers only over the area in which there is a population of Ravens living in pine forests.