The nesting ecology and postembryonic development of the Baikal white wagtail Motacilla alba baicalensis

The goal of the paper is to identify the features of the breeding ecology of the Motacilla alba baicalensis in the Baikal region and Transbaikalia. The nesting ecology study deliverable of the Motacilla alba baicalensis in the Baikal region and Transbaikalia showed that this subspecies, unlike other forms, is more synanthropic, more than 95% of populations live in localities and other anthropogenic habitats, and only 2–3% of populations inhabit natural biotopes. At the same time, the Motacilla alba baicalensis in the region prefers small rural settlements and livestock camps in open landscapes near reservoirs. When the Motacilla alba baicalensis builds nests, like other subspecies, it is quite plastic and easily finds shelter in various anthropogenic and natural biotopes. The higher nesting efficiency of this subspecies indicates its wide opportunities to develop anthropogenic landscapes. Due to the short favorable nesting period, most pairs manage to hatch chicks once, but only a small number of pairs manage to raise chicks twice a season. A comparison of the nesting ecology of the Motacilla alba baicalensis with other forms of the Northern Eurasian species did not reveal any fundamental differences. The differences relate to the phenology of different stages of the breeding season, as well as the timing of arrival and departure of birds.