Structure of communities of breeding passerine birds in floodplain oak forests of Belarusian Polesye. – V.V. Sakhvon. - Berkut. 16 (2). 2007. - P. 169-176.
Species richness, diversity, structure of breeding bird communities and population density in the floodplain oak forests of Central Polesye Region (southern Belarus) were studied in 1999–2007. Birds were counted using the Finnish line transect method with some elements of mapping technique. Three census plots have visited 3–10 times from the end of March to the middle of June. Total 40 breeding species were registered (from 15 to 25 species on the sample plots). General population densities ranged from 12.08 to 13.32 pairs/ha. The basis of the community was formed with 11 dominant species (from 8 to 9 species on a plot) – Chaffinch, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin and Pied Flycatcher. The participation of hole-nesters in the bird communities was high (31.6–40.9 %), that it is possible to explain a high degree of occupation of holes, especially in forest-edge. The structure of bird communities is similar to those of the floodplain alder forests, but a little conceding to them in general density. The character of a spring high water poorly influences on the birds which nest on the ground in comparison with other types of the floodplain forests. [Russian].
Key words: Belarus, floodplain oak forest, breeding, species richness, population density, dominant.
Adress: V.V. Sakhvon, Zoological museum of the Belarusian State University, 4 Nezavisimosty av., 220060, Minsk, Belarus; e-mail: sakhvon@mail.ru.