Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/y7v64t4loy
The breeding numbers and tree preferences of Rooks Corvus frugilegus in Zagreb, Croatia
Louie Taylor
orcid.org/0000-0003-3835-3744
; Association Biom
*
Tea Dorogi
; Association Biom
Katarina Horvat
; Association Bioteka
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The Rook is a common breeding species in lowland Croatia where it inhabits agricultural and urban habitats. This study aimed to determine the trend of the Rook population in Zagreb and the preferences of the tree species for nesting. Data used in this analysis was collected from 2017 to 2023 through citizen science. From 2017 until 2023, a total of 20 rookeries were counted and the number of breeding pairs from 2017 has increased by 49.7%. The highest numbers of breeding pairs were observed in 2022 and 2023, with 1172 and 1168 active nests, respectively. Nests were located on 35 different tree species, with the London plane Platanus x acerifolia being the most common. Also, a significant proportion of the rookeries' surroundings was covered by grasslands. A total number of 18 instances of nest destruction, tree removal, or the cutting down of main branches was recorded, aiming to reduce the Rook population. These efforts did not impact the overall numbers of breeding pairs significantly.
Keywords
citizen science; corvids; city management; urbanization
Hrčak ID:
313711
URI
Publication date:
25.1.2024.
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