Fieldfare (Turdus Pilaris L.) Nesting Ecology in the City of Stepanakert of the Republic of Artsakh and its Surrounding Territories

Abstract

The present study delves into the nesting ecology of fieldfares within the avian population of Stepanakert, located in the Republic of Artsakh, alongside its contiguous regions. The research material encompasses observations and investigations carried out between 2017 and 2022 within the aforementioned geographic domains. In our specific conditions, the initiation of the fieldfare nesting process transpires under outdoor air temperatures exceeding +8°C to +10°C, while the first appearance of an egg within the nest during spring corresponds to temperatures of +15°C to +16°C. The nesting substrates encompass an array of broad-leaved and coniferous trees, in addition to various man-made structures. Nest placement exhibits diversity, situated at elevations of 0.5-1.2 meters above the ground within open areas proximate to the city, escalating to 3-4.5 meters within the central zones of Stepanakert, and subsiding to 1.5-2.5 meters in woodland environs adjacent to the city. The construction of nests unfolds over a median period of 5-7 days. On average, nests accommodate a clutch of 3-5 eggs. The morphological attributes of eggs reveal considerable variability. In our contextual setting, fieldfares engender two generations annually, with an incubation duration spanning 12-13 days. Hatchlings emerge from eggs within a single day, occasionally within two days, eventually taking their inaugural flights after 15-17 days. The percentages of losses occurring between the embryonic stage and the attainment of flying capability among chicks display distinct variations.