Vertical distribution and coexistence of six bird species nesting in agroecosystems in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula

The study of avian diversity in agroecosystems is a topic of great interest for understanding the dynamics of bird communities in urban environments. The objective of this study was to identify the level of overlap in the selection of nesting sites of some bird species in orange orchards located in the town of Algemesí, province of Valencia, Spain, and their vertical distribution in relation to nesting microsites. An intensive search for tree nests was carried out, and microsite variables such as tree height, canopy coverage, nest location height, and distance from the nest to the edge were measured. Statistical analyses included PERMANOVA and discriminant analysis to identify significant differences and groupings among species based on nesting variables. In total, 98 nests belonging to six species of passerine birds (Sylvia melanocephala, Turdus merula, Serinus serinus, Chloris chloris, Turdus philomelos, and Muscicapa striata) were found. Different phenological patterns were observed among the species, and nesting site characteristics varied depending on nest location height and distance to the edge. The choice of nesting site for Turdus philomelos varied compared to the other species. These results suggest that the different life histories of the species influence the segregation of nesting sites, which in turn affects the coexistence and structure of the bird community.