Nesting of Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus in a nest of Red Kite Milvus milvus

Abstract

In June 2019 we found a nest of Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus in a nest of Red Kite Milvus milvus. It contained five chicks and was located on the side of the kite nest. The nests were located 17 m above ground in a pine tree in a small pine woodland within farmland in western Poland. We believe that this is the first record of Eurasian Tree Sparrow breeding in a Red Kite nest. Our observation supports the notion of great adaptability and flexibility in selection of nest site reported by other authors, who have found Eurasian Tree Sparrow nest in large twig nests of several species.