Features of rook (Corvus frugilegus) colony distribution in different types of urban development in Kostanay

Corvidae represent one of the most prominent and adaptable groups of urban avifauna. Their high abundance, ecological plasticity, and ability to adapt to anthropogenic landscapes significantly influence the biocenoses of urbanized areas, highlighting the relevance of their study. The aim of this study is to analyze the nesting preferences of rooks (Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758) in selecting nesting sites across various types of urban development in the city of Kostanay and the stages of their nesting period. Observations were conducted on trial sites that included three categories of territories: residential areas, park areas, and suburban areas. During the research, the number of nests, their location, height, utilized tree species, and timing of nesting stages, from nest construction to fledging of chicks, were recorded. Of the 74 registered nests, 39.2% were located in residential areas, while 60.8% were found in parks. No nests were identified in suburban areas. The majority of nests (87.8%) were inhabited. The primary nesting substrates were tall poplars, with rarer occurrences of pines and birches. A trend was noted towards selecting trees with well-developed crowns, with nest heights averaging around 15 m. The results indicate a preference among rooks for specific types of urban development and tree species for nesting in the city of Kostanay, which can be utilized in developing management strategies for corvid populations and conserving biodiversity in urban ecosystems.

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