Road Effect on the Breeding Success and Nest Characteristics of the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

Abstract

It is known that roads have an ecological effect on wildlife, not only in negative but also in positive ways. Few studies provide information about the effect that roads have on bird population levels. In this study, we investigate the effect of roads on the breeding success, nest tree, and nest characteristics of the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica). We compared the magpie breeding success of nesting along a paved highway with those along a dirt road. In addition, the nest and nest tree characteristics were measured for the two road types. We found that breeding success is significantly higher near highway than dirt road and that nests were wider and larger near dirt road than those near highway. According to our results, the magpie is positively affected by the highway. This may be explained by food supply and, more likely, by lower predator pressure.