Factors influencing the small-scale distribution of House Sparrows<i>Passer domesticus</i>in a suburban environment

Wilkinson, Nicholas

doi:10.1080/00063650609461414

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Additional research into the patterns of microhabitat use of House Sparrows in parks and gardens (e.g. Wilkinson 2006) and into the value of garden floras for invertebrate prey (e.g., Smith et al 2006) is needed. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, discrepancies with other studies could be a consequence of differences in landscape structure and in habitat quality. For example, House Sparrows in UK gardens and parks seem to be very dependent on bushes (Wilkinson 2006), but this is a substrate little used by sparrows in urban parks of Valencia (E Murgui, unpublished). Urban parks and derelict land are important habitats for House Sparrow populations in the urban landscape (e.g.…”

Section: Patterns In Habitat Selectionmentioning

confidence: 97%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Seasonal patterns of habitat selection of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in the urban landscape of Valencia (Spain)

Murgui¹

2008

J Ornithol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The habitat selection and the factors influencing the distribution of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in the municipality of Valencia (76 km 2 ) were studied during the winter and breeding season. House Sparrows positively selected urban parks and gardens, patches of derelict land and horticultural fields; they avoided the built-up habitat and the orange groves. In the urban landscape, the abundance of sparrows peaked in areas providing intermediate cover of the built-up habitat; it was positively driven by the amount of park land per unit area, and negatively by the size of urban parks. Our results suggest that the conservation and habitat enhancement of even the smallest parks and gardens are likely key factors in addressing the decline of the House Sparrow in many cities.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Patterns In Habitat Selectionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Seasonal patterns of habitat selection of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in the urban landscape of Valencia (Spain)

Murgui¹

2008

J Ornithol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Wooton et al (2002) found that nesting house sparrows were more likely to occur in older properties (built before 1919) and in medium-aged properties (20-60 years old) that had not had roof repairs, suggesting a link to nest site availability. Wilkinson (2006) found the probability of house sparrow occurrence in a suburban area to be positively related to bush cover and, in particular, to native species of bush, which may imply effects of food availability. Similarly, Heij (1985) suggested that the amount of green space was important in determining house sparrow density in urbanized environments but that there was also a correlation with building density, showing the importance of feeding and nesting sites in close proximity to each other.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

House sparrow (Passer domesticus) habitat use in urbanized landscapes

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is showing population declines in many parts of Europe, with recent declines being particularly severe in urban areas. To date, relatively little is known about the species' habitat associations within urbanized landscapes. We report here an investigation of the habitat associations of house sparrows using a survey of 1223 stratified randomly selected 500 · 500-m squares within urbanized landscapes of the UK, defined as at least 25% 'human cover'. The densities of chirping male house sparrows and of all house sparrows were analysed separately to obtain insights into breeding habitat requirements and general habitat associations, respectively. Multi-model inference showed that residential areas (houses, flats), allotments (areas used for small-scale horticulture) and farm buildings were key predictors of house sparrow density and chirping male density. Separate analyses on landscapes of differing human cover showed similar results. Within residential areas, the increase of house sparrow density with habitat area (on a log scale) was approximately threefold greater when private gardens were present than when they were absent. The model predicted a rapid decline in house sparrow abundance when only a small area of private gardens is converted to continuous housing. Allotments and residential areas with gardens are likely to be under pressure due to increased demand for housing, specifically from the infilling of green space within urban areas. It would seem to be imperative that any action plan to protect urban house sparrow populations should include specific protection of such key habitats.

show abstract

“…There is no evidence from this or other urban studies (Heij 1985, Heij & Moeliker 1990, Mason 2005, Wilkinson 2006) to suggest a correlation between the density of House Sparrows and the proportion of 'green land' in the area, or with the distance of the area from the edge of the town. This is not surprising as the percentage of green land does not take into account the quality of that area in providing su$cient invertebrates to rear the chicks satisfactorily (ranging from soft-bodied insects such as aphids for the first few days to larger invertebrates such as beetles and spiders towards the end of the nestling period), seeds and household scraps throughout the year for the fledglings and adults, together with cover where the birds can take refuge against enemies (Wilkinson 2006).…”

Section: Densities Of House Sparrows In Di#erent Urban Habitats In a mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…This is not surprising as the percentage of green land does not take into account the quality of that area in providing su$cient invertebrates to rear the chicks satisfactorily (ranging from soft-bodied insects such as aphids for the first few days to larger invertebrates such as beetles and spiders towards the end of the nestling period), seeds and household scraps throughout the year for the fledglings and adults, together with cover where the birds can take refuge against enemies (Wilkinson 2006). Furthermore, some exposed soil is necessary not only for foraging, but also for dustbathing.…”

Section: Densities Of House Sparrows In Di#erent Urban Habitats In a mentioning

confidence: 99%

Densities of House Sparrows in Different Urban Habitats in a Small Town in NE England

Summers-Smith¹

2009

J. Yamashina Inst. Ornithol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. A mapping technique was used to census House Sparrows Passer domesticus in di#erent urban environments, defined by housing density, housing age and proportion of 'green' area, in a small town in NE England. The study was conducted during the breeding season, with the aim of identifying the parameters that influence breeding density. Maximum House Sparrow density occurred in areas with high housing density, including the town centre, but a decline in numbers over the last 10 years was apparent in suburban areas with intermediate housing density. An area with low housing density was abandoned by House Sparrows in 1980, and a new housing estate completed in 2002 has not been colonized.

show abstract

Factors influencing the small-scale distribution of House SparrowsPasser domesticusin a suburban environment

Cited by 25 publications

References 6 publications

Seasonal patterns of habitat selection of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in the urban landscape of Valencia (Spain)

Seasonal patterns of habitat selection of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in the urban landscape of Valencia (Spain)

House sparrow (Passer domesticus) habitat use in urbanized landscapes

Densities of House Sparrows in Different Urban Habitats in a Small Town in NE England

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About