ALBAYRAK T., BAIRLEIN F., ERDOGAN A. 2010. HABITAT PARAMETERS AND BREEDING DENSITY OF KRÜPER’S NUTHATCH SITTA KRUEPERI PELZELN IN SOUTHERN TURKEY. Pol. J. Ecol. (58)3: 545-552.
Abstract:
Krüper’s Nuthatch (Sitta krueperi, Passeriformes) is small-area confined species and it mainly occurs in Anatolia in Turkey, but small numbers are found on the adjacent Lesvos Island and the Caucasus region. It is considered as a “near” threatened species by IUCN. Breeding success of Krüper’s Nuthatchs, which use nest cavities excavated by woodpeckers or make their own entrance holes in slightly decayed old tree trunks, is about 72% fledged birds and main food is composed of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Although this species is mainly confined to red pine (Pinus brutia) forest, it occurs also in the other coniferous habitats. Krüper’s Nuthatch was surveyed in four regions of Mediterranean Turkey: the Antalya, Central Taurus, Aladağlar region and Amanos Mountains on an area of 27.9 km2. Total of 395 point counts were taken in coniferous forests during the breeding season 2005 to explore the factors which affect the population distribution and density. For each point counts following habitat parameters were measured: (1) height of canopy top, (2) height of canopy bottom, (3) tree diameter at breast height, (4) percentage cover (5) average distance between two trees, (6) total number of strata of vegetation and topographic data (altitude, degree of slope, direction of slope, soil texture). The average density of Krüper’s Nuthatch recorded in the all sites was 7.38 ± 0.57 birds km–2. However, it differs between regions (ANOVA; P <0.0001) with highest density in the Antalya region (12.10 ± 2.10 birds km–2), and a decrease to the east with lowest density in the Amanos Mountains (2.42 ± 0.98 birds km–2). Krüper’s Nuthatch breeding density was higher in high altitude and in black pine (Pinus nigra) forest. The highest mean density was found in black pine forests (12.69 ±2.4 birds km–2; n = 29), followed by Cilician fir (Abies cilicica) forest (11.61 ± 2 birds km–2; n = 39), Lebanon cedar forest (Cedrus libani) (8.49 ± 1.8 birds km–2; n = 25) and red pine (Pinus burutia) forest (7.75 ± 0.9 birds km–2; n = 188) respectively. We also found a negative correlation between the densities of Krüper’s Nuthatch and the total number of strata of the vegetation. High number of the birds occurs in more open coniferous forests. Mature coniferous forests especially black pine forests at high altitudes should be preserved for its conservation in Antalya region.
Keywords:
Krüper’s Nuthatch, Sitta krueperi, distribution, density, Mediterranean region
