Vol. 76 (4) 2024

ARTICLES

Low Probability of Attacks by Hooded Crows Corvus cornix L., 1758 (Passeriformes: Corvidae) during the Nest-attendance Period: A Pilot Study

Ivana Novčić1*, Tamara Karan Žnidaršič1, Slobodan Knežević2,3, Aleksa Vukićević2,4 &
Dimitrije Radišić5

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1*Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; inovcic@bio.bg.ac.rs
2Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, Radomira Raše Radujkova 1a/211, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
3PKF Serbia, Palmira Toljatija 5/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
4PR “Prirodnjak”, Mihajla Pupina 44, 26350, Samoš, Serbia
5Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, Serbia

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb76.4.002795

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Abstract
We monitored 15 nests of hooded crows Corvus cornix while simultaneously recording the activity of birds at their nests and the number and activity of people in the vicinity of nests, to examine (1) how often crows attack people during the nest attendance period, (2) whether people and their activity close to crows’ nests increase the probability of attacks and (3) whether people around nests increase the probability of crows’ vocalisation. In total, we conducted 130 hours of observation, during which we recorded the presence and behaviour of nearly 30,000 people close to the crows’ nests. Despite intensive human activities in the vicinity of crows’ nests, we did not record aggression toward humans or pet animals, indicating that attacks are rare before fledglings leave their nests. In addition, vocalisation by crows was affected by the number of conspecifics in the nest vicinity but not by the human presence or activities.

Key words
human-wildlife conflict, urban ornithology, urban ecosystems, corvids

How to Cite
Novčić I., Žnidaršič T.K., Knežević S., Vukićević A. & Radišić D. 2024. Low Probability of Attacks by Hooded Crows Corvus cornix L., 1758 (Passeriformes: Corvidae) during the Nest-attendance Period: A Pilot Study. Acta zoologica bulgarica 76 (4) 499-505.

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