Observation of an Unusual Nesting Association between Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis and Lesser Grey Shrikes Lanius minor

Abstract

Abstract We report a case of unusual mixed nesting association of several pairs of Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis and one pair of Lesser Grey Shrikes Lanius minor near Pepelište village (41° 31′ 11″ N, 22° 7′ 41.43″ E), central Macedonia. All nests were built near the trunk of a Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia at a height of ca. 8 m. Although the nests of both species were in close proximity, we observed no interspecific aggression. Such a mixed colony could be advantageous for both species in a locality with abundant nest predators.