A matter of pipes: Wryneck Jynx torquilla habitat selection and breeding performance in an intensive agroecosystem

The Wryneck Jynx torquilla has undergone one of the largest bird species’ declines in Europe as a consequence of agricultural intensification; however, in some regions it still occurs in intensively managed permanent crops (e.g. vineyards). Considering the conservation status of the Wryneck and the increasing extent and intensification of permanent crops over Europe, investigating the habitat selection and use of nesting sites of this species in these ecosystems is urgently required. With this aim, we studied territory-scale habitat selection in a Wryneck population inhabiting a vineyard-dominated landscape without conservation measures for this species (e.g. nest box supplementation) in northeast Italy, and provide a preliminary assessment of its breeding biology. We evaluated the effect of land cover, management, and nest site availability on Wryneck occurrence in 44 territories and an equal number of control plots. In the year following this evaluation, Wryneck nests were surveyed in a subset of simple landscapes (<20% of semi-natural habitats). All nest boxes and holes provided by pipe beams supporting traditional pergola vineyards were checked twice during the breeding season. According to the territory model, Wrynecks did not select particular habitat types, but established territories in sunny areas in which pergola vineyards were more abundant than spalliera ones, the former having a higher availability of pipe holes, and in simpler landscapes. Breeding attempts in pipes were few and all failed during egg deposition; conversely, 39% of the few available nest boxes were occupied with an overall breeding success of 57%. Of the eggs laid, 36% resulted in fledged juveniles. Although pipes provide potential nesting sites and positively affect territory settlement, they finally resulted in breeding failure, thus potentially exacerbate the impact of intensive agricultural management on the species (i.e. a pattern indicating an ecological trap). Nest boxes may supply safer breeding sites for Wrynecks; however, a wider assessment of reproductive outcomes following nest box supplementation should be carried out.