ABSTRACT Capsule: In large and medium wetlands with extended reed beds Phragmites and cattail Typha dominated areas, Water Rails Rallus aquaticus and Little Crakes Zapornia parva show higher differences in nesting sites in contrast with other populations from small and fragmented wetlands, where the ranges of values for environmental variables at nesting sites overlap greatly. Aims: To investigate the nesting sites and nesting habitats of both species to a fine scale, on medium and large wetlands, to evaluate the potential overlapping of nesting habitat and to compare data with those obtained in small wetlands. Methods: In the study area, the Fizeş Basin, Romania, 17 wetlands, ponds and reed beds ranging from 11.78 to 252.68 ha were investigated. The species were present on 4 wetlands, which were subsequently surveyed for nests. Between April and August 2010–2012, a total of 83 Water Rail and 46 Little Crake nests were found, measured and analysed in terms of nesting habitat and nest features. Results: Principal component analyses suggest no overlap in nest site selection and a partial overlap in the nest features. An analysis of similarity confirmed significant nest structural differences. A discriminant function analysis highlights the main factors dividing the nest features of both species being: water depth and distance between the nest and a water surface. Little Crakes build their nests in cattail Typha sloped clumps, while Water Rails build their nests near reed Phragmites strains. Conclusion: In large and medium wetlands, Water Rails nest deep in the reed bed rather than in other types of habitats, contrary to what has been reported for small ponds areas. Little Crakes nest in cattail independently of the size of the wetland where they occur.

中文翻译：

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Water Rails Aquaticus 和 Little Crakes Zapornia parva 在大湿地的筑巢栖息地和巢特征

摘要胶囊：在芦苇丛生芦苇和香蒲占主导地位的大中型湿地中，与来自小型和支离破碎湿地的其他种群相比，Water Rails Rallus Aquaticus 和 Little Crakes Zapornia parva 的筑巢地点差异更大，其中值对于筑巢地点的环境变量有很大的重叠。目的：在中型和大型湿地对这两种物种的筑巢地点和筑巢栖息地进行精细调查，以评估筑巢栖息地的潜在重叠，并将数据与在小湿地中获得的数据进行比较。方法：在研究区，调查了罗马尼亚 Fizeş 盆地的 17 个湿地、池塘和芦苇床，面积从 11.78 到 252.68 公顷不等。该物种存在于 4 个湿地，随后对其进行了巢穴调查。2010-2012 年 4 月至 8 月期间，共发现、测量和分析了 83 个水轨和 46 个小克拉克巢穴的筑巢栖息地和巢穴特征。结果：主成分分析表明巢址选择没有重叠，巢特征有部分重叠。相似性分析证实了显着的巢结构差异。判别函数分析突出了划分两个物种巢穴特征的主要因素：水深以及巢穴与水面之间的距离。Little Crakes 在香蒲倾斜的丛中筑巢，而 Water Rails 在芦苇株附近筑巢。结论：在大中型湿地，水轨在芦苇床深处筑巢，而不是在其他类型的栖息地，这与小池塘地区的报道相反。