Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 34(2) 1991

Issue:

VOL 34(2) 1991

Keywords:

Aves, Passer domesticus, nest, environment

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Nests and nest-sites of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in urban, suburban and rural environments

• Piotr INDYKIEWICZ

Abstract:

Nesting of Passer domesticus in the urban (879 nests), suburban (162 nests) and rural (191 nests) environments in Central Poland is discussed. Out of the 19 types of nest-sites distinguished, 18 were noted in towns, 11 in suburban areas and 12 in the country. The mean height of nest-sites above the ground was, respectively, 7.3, 3.9, and 5.8 m. The size of nests was determined by the spatial conditions of the places in which they were situated: the largest nests were found in towns, the smallest in suburbs and those of medium size in the country. While the nest size is generally marked by great variation, the dimensions of the nest cup show the smallest fluctuations. The amounts of building materials used range within very wide limits and so does their weight (from 15.3 to 616.2 g). A great variety of materials, dependent on the environment, was also observed.