Skip to content

Polish Maize Fields Had Fewer Breeding Bird Species and Lower Bird Density

Dense maize field in Hå, Norway
Research · Ecology

Maize fields held fewer breeding bird species and lower overall bird densities than more varied agricultural plots in a study spanning three regions of Poland. Researchers surveyed 122 plots covering 1,380 hectares during the April–June breeding seasons of 2024 and 2025, comparing maize fields with control plots made up of mosaics of other crops.

The analysis supported lower species richness and lower overall breeding-bird density in maize plots. The researchers recorded 24 species in total, and 23 species occurred at least once in each of the two plot types. The difference therefore concerned how many species and birds were present on individual plots rather than a simple division into species occurring only in maize or only in other crops.

Several common farmland birds showed contrasting associations with maize. Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis), western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and corn bunting (Emberiza calandra) were negatively associated with maize cultivation. White wagtail (Motacilla alba) and northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) showed positive associations. Eurasian skylark was the most abundant species in both maize and control plots.

Within the control plots, bird species richness increased with the number of crop types. The authors conclude that large-scale maize cultivation is associated with poorer breeding-bird communities than more diverse cropping systems and recommend limiting maize sowing, retaining a diversity of crops and maintaining environmental heterogeneity in farmland.

Sources and image credit

  1. Wszelaki, S., & Mitrus, C. (2026). Who gains and who loses - the impact of maize cultivation on breeding birds in central Europe. Journal of Environmental Management, 414, 130556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130556Primary research article comparing breeding-bird communities in 122 maize and control plots covering 1,380 hectares in three regions of Poland during the 2024 and 2025 breeding seasons.
  2. Wszelaki, S., & Mitrus, C. (2026). Corrigendum to 'Who gains and who loses - the impact of maize cultivation on breeding birds in central Europe' [J. Environ. Manag. 414 (2026), 130556]. Journal of Environmental Management, 130718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130718Corrigendum linked to the original article.

Image: Dense maize field in Hå, Norway, 9 August 2021. Photo: Ryan Hodnett / Wikimedia Commons. Representative image of the crop type central to the study; not presented as a field from the reported research. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

Ecology

SPECIES IN THIS STORY

Species in this story

Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Explore species Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Explore species Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Explore species White Wagtail Motacilla alba Explore species Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Explore species

Independent research and conservation news archive

Did you find this information useful?

Wildlife Vagabond is independently built and maintained. Voluntary support helps cover source verification, hosting and continued work on research and conservation news.

Support Wildlife Vagabond

The news archive will remain freely available.