House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) do not make good neighbours: Interspecific clutch destruction of Common Swifts (Apus apus)

Abstract Following extensive renovation of urban areas of central Israel, and in the framework of a research project of supplying nest-boxes for urban breeding birds, especially Common Swifts Apus apus , we documented interspecific nest destruction by House Sparrows Passer domesticus . In two separa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution
Main Authors: Hahn, Amnonn, Yosef, Reuven
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: Brill 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/22244662-bja10035
https://brill.com/view/journals/ijee/68/1-4/article-p4_002.xml
https://brill.com/downloadpdf/journals/ijee/68/1-4/article-p4_002.xml
Description
Summary:Abstract Following extensive renovation of urban areas of central Israel, and in the framework of a research project of supplying nest-boxes for urban breeding birds, especially Common Swifts Apus apus , we documented interspecific nest destruction by House Sparrows Passer domesticus . In two separate incidents the House Sparrows entered the nest chamber of the swifts and removed the eggs by puncturing them. In one, the incident occurred early enough in the breeding season and allowed the Common Swift pair to renest and successfully fledge two young.