Nest‐Site and Nest Characteristics of Maghreb Magpie ( <i>Pica mauritanica</i> ) in Algeria

ABSTRACT Semi‐arid forests in North Africa face growing pressures from climate change, agricultural intensification and urban sprawl, all of which reshape habitats and wildlife communities. Among the species inhabiting these dynamic landscapes, the Maghreb magpie ( Pica mauritanica Malherbe, 1845), an endemic corvid of the Maghreb, offers an insightful model to examine how environmental factors influence breeding strategies and spatial organisation. This study aimed to investigate the nesting ecology and spatial patterns of P. mauritanica in semi‐arid oak‐dominated forests of northeastern Algeria. Specifically, the study assessed nest‐site selection in relation to tree characteristics, compared nesting preferences between holm oak ( Quercus ilex L.) and mixed tree stands and analysed the spatial distribution of inter‐nest distances to evaluate potential clustering. Fieldwork was conducted during the breeding season, where detailed measurements of nest height, supporting tree dimensions and surrounding vegetation were recorded. Independent‐sample t‐tests and linear regression models were applied to examine nest–tree relationships, while spatial analyses employed Euclidean distance matrices and hierarchical clustering to assess inter‐nest distribution. Maghreb magpie nests were built in holm oak trees, particularly those with larger diameters and higher canopies that presumably offer more structurally robust supports. Nest height was positively correlated with tree height and canopy cover, highlighting the importance of vertical structure for breeding. Comparisons between Q. ilex and mixed tree species revealed significant differences in nest placement strategies. Spatial analyses indicated nonrandom nest distribution, with inter‐nest distances forming clustered patterns rather than uniform spacing, suggesting social or ecological drivers behind colony‐like aggregation. These findings emphasise that P. mauritanica exhibited selective nesting strategies strongly shaped by tree attributes and forest structure, while also displaying a clustered spatial distribution of breeding sites. In the context of rapid environmental change and ongoing anthropogenic pressures in North African forests, understanding these ecological requirements provides crucial insights for conserving this endemic species and managing vulnerable semi‐arid ecosystems.