HABITAT USE OF SYMPATRICALLY NESTING FISH CROWS AND AMERICAN CROWS

摘要

We examined habitat use of sympatric Fish Crows (Corvus ossifragus) and American Crows (C. brachyrhynchos) nesting in the vicinity of waterbird breeding locations at the Rockaway Peninsula, New York City. Fish Crows nested significantly more often at naturalhabitats, including coastal dunes and salt marsh islands; American Crows nested significantly more often at residential and recreational areas. In regard to potential foraging areas, Fish Crows nested closer to waterbird colonies and to the water's edge while American Crows nested closer to a garbage source and to lawns. Fish Crows nested significantly more often in deciduous trees that were native, while American Crows nested significantly more often in evergreen trees that more frequently were exotic, especially Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii). Finally, we consider the potential predatory impact of sympatric crow species on waterbirds in light of their habitat use.