Nest-site selection by the hobby (Falco subbuteo) in poplar plantations in northern Italy

The hobby (Falco subbuteo) nests at a relatively high density (25.8-29 nests/100 km2 in poplar (Populus sp.) plantations bordering the Po River in northern Italy. These intensively managed crops have almost completely replaced the natural riverine forest, which was presumably the hobby's original nesting habitat. Only hooded crow (Corvus corone) nests were used by the hobby in poplar plantations. Hobbies selected plots with the largest trees and, when suitable habitat was evenly distributed, their nests were regularly spaced; tree felling did, however, cause local crowding of nests. There were no differences in nest and nest tree features between crow nests used and unused by hobbies within each occupied plot. Breeding success was the same as in other European populations, with 1.9 fledged young per observed pair and 2.2 fledged young per successful pair. Poplar plantations proved to be a suitable nesting habitat for the hobby in northern Italy.