SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSE SPARROW NESTS (PASSER DOMESTICUS, PASSERIFORMES, PASSERIDAE) IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL SIBERIA

Mapping the house sparrow nests was carried out in 14 sampling areas in Western and Central Siberia. Quantitative assessments of nest interpositions were analyzed using the maps created. The distance to the nearest neighboring nest was used as the main characteristic of each nest. Cartographic visualization showed a cluster distribution of the nests. The average cluster size in different areas varied from 2.7 to 8.1 nests per cluster. A correlation was found neither between their size and geographical location nor population density. No aggregations of higher rank were identified. The clusters recognized were defined as individual colonies. The distribution patterns of the frequencies of the distances to the nearest neighbor were found to be exponential. Slightly more than half of all nests were located closer than 10 m from the nearest neighboring nest, about three-quarters closer than 20 m. The maximum distance to the nearest neighbor inside a single colony did not exceed 80 m. No reliable indicators of isolated nesting in the house sparrow were identified. Colonies were distributed independently of one another, the distance between adjacent colonies being less where the population density was higher. Territories with closely spaced colonies could alternate with unpopulated, but suitable areas (sometimes of significant sizes).