Sand banks in pseudo-steppe areas provide suitable nesting sites: High breeding numbers of the European Roller (Coracias garrulus L. 1758) in Southwest Turkey

HAKAN KARAARDIÇ, ESAT KIZILKAYA

Abstract

Nest-site selection is one of the important characters especially for under-threaten species. The European Roller (Coracias garrulus) is one of the most studied birds after its rapid decline in Europe. Turkey has rich biodiversity in terms of migratory and breeding bird species, but there are very restricted studies about Roller. By observations suitable nesting sites in sand banks in Southwest Turkey, 5 nesting sites of second cavity-nester were found. Long-term observations showed that 22 pairs per year bred as a mean value (3.75 nests/1 km2) from 2010 to 2018 in the breeding seasons. Using sand banks provided high breeding pairs that there were statistically positive correlations between the length of the nesting site and active nests, and also between cavity numbers and the active nests. The lengthiest (150 m) site with numerous cavities (57), had high active nests (mean value was 11/year). Considering the increase in the populations of the species as a result of the conservation studies carried out using nest boxes in different European countries, Roller populations may begin to decrease due to the habitat loss.

Keywords

Breeding; Cavity; Coracias garrulus; European Roller; Sand bank

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References

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