Biology of Krueper's nuthatch (Sitta krueperi) in living of Antalya region

In this study, ecology, spread, breeding, intraspecific and interspecific behavioural observations of Krûper's nuthatch iSitta krueperi) that shows endemic distrubution in Anatolia, populations living in Antalya, province of Southern Turkey. They.were observed in old and sparse conifer forests (red pines, cedars, black pines, juniper ie.) and rarely near these trees maquis (espacially Quercus sp.) and broad- leaved forests (whitish tree (Acer sp.), plane tree {Platanus sp.), poplar (Populus sp.) ie.).The density was determined to be high in between 1000-1250 m in summer, and 500 to 750 m in winter because of altitude migration. This behaviour mostly consists of the main postures, intraspecific and interspecific, researc and offer of food, attack and threat, escape and submission and other frequently occurring behaviour and breeding as well. Breeding was continuous from early March to late June. Although the mostly used nest-boxes were natural-coloured 57%, 21% yellow, 14 blue and 7% orange, green nest-boxes were not used. Natural nest holes were found in dried old trees at 12.7m high in average. The nest materials were nettles and very thin bands of tree cortex 66,3%, carpels 21,3%, bristle 5,5%, feathers 2,8% liken 2,5% and nylon or cotton rope 1,3%. Among 83 eggs 70 of them (84%) were opened in 15 nest boxes. All of the chicks among 54 (65%.) have flied. In average, 3,6 juvenile Per nest-box could have flied. The negative effects against to breeding success were cutting of trees, occupation of bats, Dryomys nitedula, insects, bees. Food of young birds was found to be Coleopter (33,3%), small larva (13,8%), Lepidoptera (6,9%), worm (5,8%), seed (4,6%), Homoptera (4,6%), ant (4,6%), Dermoptera (3,4%), Diptera (3,4%), Arachnida (3,3%) and Hymenoptera (1,2%). KEY WORDS: Sitta krueperi, behaviour, ecology, breeding, feeding, Antalya