Urban development from an avian perspective: causes of hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix) urbanisation in two Finnish cities

Recent colonization and nest site selection of the Hooded Crow (Corvus corone cornix L.) in an urban environment

“…Several studies documented the crow's settlement and subsequent continuous population increase in urban environments in Hungary (Juhász, 1983;Kövér & Juhász, 2008;Tapfer, 1978Tapfer, , 1985, Finland (Hugg, 1994;Jokimäki & Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki, 2012;Vuorisalo et al, 2003), Norway (Munkejord, Hauge, Folkedal, & Kvinnesland, 1985;Parker, 1985), Poland (Mazgajski, Zmihorski, Halba, & Wozniak, 2008), and Russia (Konstantinov, 1982;Korbut, 1996).…”

“…Several factors can drive the adjustment of birds to urban areas (Vuorisalo et al, 2003). First, cities can provide milder more stable microclimates, ample opportunities for nesting, and diverse, continuous and predictable sources of food (Bedő & Heltai, 2003;Kalotás, 1995;Vuorisalo et al, 2003).…”

“…First, cities can provide milder more stable microclimates, ample opportunities for nesting, and diverse, continuous and predictable sources of food (Bedő & Heltai, 2003;Kalotás, 1995;Vuorisalo et al, 2003). Second, cities can provide decreased risks of predation for adults (Kalotás, 1995;Vuorisalo et al, 2003), because the main predators of Hooded Crows (e.g., Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis and Pine Martens Martes martes) tend to avoid cities or appear there in low densities.…”

“…First, cities can provide milder more stable microclimates, ample opportunities for nesting, and diverse, continuous and predictable sources of food (Bedő & Heltai, 2003;Kalotás, 1995;Vuorisalo et al, 2003). Second, cities can provide decreased risks of predation for adults (Kalotás, 1995;Vuorisalo et al, 2003), because the main predators of Hooded Crows (e.g., Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis and Pine Martens Martes martes) tend to avoid cities or appear there in low densities. Locally, disturbance by human activities, such as intense game management activity outside the cities or a decrease in the persecution of corvid nests in urban areas partly due to EU legislation, can also be influential factors (Sorace, 2001;Withey & Marzluff, 2005).…”

Breeding of Tawny OwlsStrix alucoin rural and urban habitats in southern Finland

“…Studies at various localities in Europe have shown that some bird species produce fewer eggs and fledglings in urban habitats than they do in rural ones (Perrins 1965, Berressem et al 1983, Cowie & Hinsley 1987, Schnack 1991, Hõrak 1993, Solonen 2001. However, urban habitats may be superior for other species, such as birds of prey and corvids, because such species are often free from persecution there, and have an abundant year-round food supply (Newton 1986, Vuorisalo et al 2003, Kelcey & Rheinwald 2005, Rutz et al 2005, Chace & Walsh 2006.…”