'Universidad de Extremadura - Servicio de Publicaciones'
Abstract
Nest site selection of Azure-winged
Magpies (Cyanopica cyana) was studied in relation to their proximity to the nests of Japanese Lesser Sparrowhawks (Accipiter gularis). Magpies used nest sites that were more concealed when not nesting in ssociation
with the hawk, and nests with a higher rate of leaf cover were less frequently depredated. Magpies
preferred to nest close to hawk nests, and such siteshad higher breeding success. However, Azure-winged
Magpies nested in places with less leaf cover near
hawk nests. Despite the lack of cover, the magpie nests were more successful when located near a hawk nest.Magpies effectively avoid nest predation by exploiting the defending behavior of the hawks.Peer reviewe