Planet of Birds

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 2 abstract Gene transfer may occur following hybridization between closely related species if hybrids are viable and able to breed with individuals of one or both of the parental species. House (Passer domesticus) and tree sparrows (P. montanus) occasionally hybridize and produce viable o.spring. Previously, we concluded that male […]

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 1 abstract A total of 250 nestboxes were arranged in five plots in a suburban area of Budapest, Hungary (19 deg 04’E, 47 deg 41’N). In each plot, 25 were placed at 50 m intervals to simulate solitary breeding and 25 3-5 m apart to simulate colonial breeding. Length […]

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 5 abstract While many farmland bird species are declining in Western Europe, the Finnish Tree Sparrow Passer montanus population has increased significantly during recent decades. During 1984-2002, we studied the population changes, colonization characteristics and nest sites of theTree Sparrowin a large area of agricultural landscapewithin southern Finland. The […]

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 3 abstract [..] A striking example of freezing behaviour in Tree Sparrows Passer montanus was observed at Tovetorp Zoological Research Station in south-eastern Sweden on 28 February 2002. I observed a Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus launching an attack, at 14.45 in the afternoon, towards a feeding station located underneath a […]

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 6 abstract Tree Sparrows Passer montanus showed a strong preference for nest-sites adjacent to wetland habitats, and avoidance of sites on intensively managed mixed farmland distant from Rutland Water. A variety of wetland edge habitats were frequently used by foraging adult birds when provisioning nestlings, and invertebrate prey of […]

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 4 abstract During the past 30 years, many species of farmland birds have declined dramatically in numbers in Northern Europe, a trend coinciding with a tremendous intensification of agriculture, although the exact causes of these declines remain unclear. One of the worst affected species is the Tree Sparrow (Passer […]

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Science Article 7 abstract This study is based on the spring temperaturesand laying dates of first eggs of threepasserines (sedentary: Great Tit, Parus majorand Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus; migratory:Starling, Sturnus vulgaris). Laying datesof first eggs were used as estimates of timingof breeding. The term ‘laying date’ is definedas the date of […]