Selection of Urbanized Areas by Magpie Pica pica in a Medium Size City in Poland

Abstract

The Magpie Pica pica occurs all over open agricultural areas in Poland, especially near human settlements (particularly in western Poland). The aim of this study was to estimate the size of the local Magpie population and characterize, in detail, nest site selection in a medium size city Górzów Wlkp. in the XXI century. For this study, the whole city was divided into a total of 114 squares of 1 × 1 km. Data were collected in spring 2014. A total of 474 Magpie pairs were recorded. The average density was 5.5 pairs/km2 (min = 0, max = 22 nests/square), in the non-urbanized habitat type—3.7 p/km2, and in the urbanized habitat type—13.5 p/km2. Magpie nests were found most often on Spruces Picea sp. and Poplars Populus sp. The mean height of the nest site was 11.5 m, while the mean height of trees used for nesting was 13.4 m. The type of tree arrangement most frequently used for nesting was tree rows (26.3%), followed by single trees (24.6%) and clusters of 4–10 trees (20.1%). The results for the Magpie’s environmental preferences do not differ from the general patterns described earlier. The study shows that magpies can adapt to changing urbanization factors, and changes in the choice of conifers help the species to adapt to highly anthropogenic habitats.

Species Traits Drive Long-Term Population Trends of Common Breeding Birds in Northern Italy

“…In our region, where the urbanized areas increased during the last decades [ 55 ], the positive tendency of the Eurasian Magpie can be linked to its capacity of adapting to highly urbanized habitats. In this type of environment, the density of pairs can reach higher values than in non-urbanized habitats [ 134 ], maybe favored by high food availability. We have not evidence that the species increase is linked to a reduction of human persecution, as occurred in other areas (e.g., [ 135 ]).…”

Spatial Overlap and Habitat Selection of Corvid Species in European Cities

“…Magpies are omnivorous and sedentary, traits facilitating a bird’s presence in urban environments [ 80 ]. Eurasian Magpies could modify their behavior to adapt to urban areas and have already undergone synurbanization in several cities [ 31 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 81 ]. For example, the bird tends to nest higher in trees as urbanization levels increase [ 32 , 33 , 35 ].…”

“…Eurasian Magpies could modify their behavior to adapt to urban areas and have already undergone synurbanization in several cities [ 31 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 81 ]. For example, the bird tends to nest higher in trees as urbanization levels increase [ 32 , 33 , 35 ]. In urban areas, the Eurasian Magpie increases the share of the nests it builds in conifers, especially in early spring when deciduous trees are leafless and exposed [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“…Several studies have looked into the urban habitat selection of corvids [ 13 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] and in Europe specifically [ 18 , 19 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Most of these studies were only conducted in one city or focused on a single corvid species [ 19 ].…”

Long-Term Winter Population Trends of Corvids in Relation to Urbanization and Climate at Northern Latitudes

“…[ 7 ], pigeons (e.g., Feral Pigeon, Columba livia domestica; [ 2 ]; Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus ; [ 8 ]), and corvids (crows, magpies, jays, etc. [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]) benefit from urbanization all over the world. However, common species are often-neglected study objects despite their important ecological roles [ 16 , 17 ].…”