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Die Reaktion der Herzfrequenz auf Silvesterfeuerwerk bei einem freifliegenden Gänsegeier (Gyps fulvus)
... Die Beobachtungen am telemetrierten Gänsegeier des Tiergarten Hellbrunn in Salzburg zeigen, dass Vögel sowohl auf die visuellen Reize (Lichtblitze), als auch auf die akustischen Reize (Böller, Pfeifen) des Feuerwerkes reagierten (Bögel et al. 1998 Klarer, aber ebenfalls nicht durchgängig, zeigt sich eine Verstärkung der Reizintensität, wenn die Störreize aufgrund der örtlichen Begebenheiten reflektiert und somit verstärkt werden. Abbildung 3 (Reflexionen an Gebäuden, Felsen, Dünen usw.) zeigt in allen Kategorien sichtbare Reaktionen auf im Mittel größere Entfernungen (bei Panik nur geringfügig), Abbildung 4 (Wasserflächen) jedoch nur bei Panik und Unruhe. ...
... Leider sind nur vier Greifvögel in der Auswertung, doch diese zeigen: Während die Wasservögel am Donaustau Faimingen als Reaktion auf ein Feuerwerk bei Tageslicht in 300 m Entfernung nahezu komplett abzogen, blieb der Seeadler äußerlich unbeeindruckt sitzen (Bühler brfl.). In etwa gleicher Entfernung dürfte auch das Feuerwerk beim Gänsegeier im Salzburger Zoo gewesen sein (Bögel et al. 1998 (Ludwig 2010b). ...
... Irritation und Blendung kann aber auch bei Feuerwerken als Störwirkung angenommen werden. Dass Vögel grundsätzlich auf die visuellen Reize eines Feuerwerkes reagieren, zeigten die Beobachtungen am telemetrierten Gänsegeier des Tiergarten Hellbrunn in Salzburg (Bögel et al. 1998). ...
Stickroth, H. (2015): Effects of fireworks on birds – a critical overview. Ber. Vogelschutz 52: 115–149.
A critical overview of the effects of fireworks is provided based on observations of 133 fireworks with 272 documented species reactions, divided among 88 taxa (mostly waterbirds and large wading birds, but also birds of prey, crows, etc). The data were compiled using internet and database research as well as surveys among birdwatchers, and subjected to critical evaluation.
Lighting fireworks in a wildlife environment represents an anthropogenic disturbance stimulus, which – depending on the type of firework, exposure, distance, and time of year as well as the species-specific and individual sensitivities of the exposed species – can have varying disturbance effects. The birds show physiological reactions (e.g. increased heart rate, stress hormone release, and other metabolic reactions, even if there is no visible reaction), increased vigilance, signs of anxiety and fear (changes in body posture, alarm calls, running around, ducking, intentional movements, etc). The most documented reaction was flight by flying, running or swimming. In extreme cases, young birds jumped or fell out of the nest (e.g. storks, heron). Flight also includes the danger of aftereffects: birds hurt or exhaust themselves; in particular, eggs and young birds become easy prey for predators, have accidents or get lost completely. The mortality risk for young birds also increases when contact with the parental flock is lost during flight (waterbirds, cranes). Flocking bird tends to flee in panic, which comprises a third of all documented flights. In panic, the birds can become disoriented, fly into obstacles and injure themselves; 9 of the 10 documented fatalities were attributable to panics (up to 5,000 individuals). After panic fewer birds returned to their resting place, the length of the absence and anxiety was longer; displaced birds were found at distances of up to 15 km away. Independent of these short-term effects, flight reduces the fitness of individual birds, thus weakening them and making them more susceptible to illness or parasites. Direct hits on birds by firework materials have only been documented at rare occasions. In individual cases they caused the bird's death or injury (mostly burnings). The incidence of hearing damage as a result seems unlikely due to the special anatomy of birds' ears.
Birds react to the visual stimuli (flash and light " storm ") as well as to the acoustic stimuli (muffled to loud bangs, shrill whistling sounds) of fireworks. The latter often produced strong reactions and even panic. Waterbirds apparently react more sensitively than birds of prey and mammals. Strengthened reactions were also observed during the hunting season. The manner in which birds are disturbed by pulsating bass, sonic booms and deterrents using pulse detonation technology makes it very likely that birds perceive even the pressure waves from firework explosions as a disturbance stimulus. This perception may occur via the paratympanic organ in the inner ear or via the air sacs. Habituation to the pulse detonation technology apparently does not occur. The simultaneous appearance of various types of stimulus from one and the same source of disturbance (summation) or of identical types of stimulus from different sources (cumulation) has an increased negative effect according to other authors. A series of similar disturbance stimuli and an increase in the rate of disturbances results in sensitizing and, thus, stronger disturbing effects. New Year's Eve fireworks are an exception since they occur over a large area. In the Netherlands during such fireworks, weather radar calculates thousands of birds fleeing up to great heights (up to 500 meters).
Conclusions and possible consequences for the handling of fireworks in Germany are briefly outlined.
... Auch wenn uns keine Methoden zur Stressmessung (wie Herzfrequenz, Corticosteroide) zur Verfügung standen, ist eine Stressbelastung anzunehmen, wie sie bei anderen Vögeln nachgewiesen werden konnte (z. B. Bögel et al. 1998 In allen Fällen handelt es sich um eine unnatürliche, anthropogen zu verantwortende und teilweise erhebliche Störung an Schlaf-bzw. Ruheplätzen wildlebender Vogelarten, die nach Bundesnaturschutzgesetz verboten sind (vgl. ...
That fireworks have a significant, disruptive effect and drive away birds is shown by the fact that pyrotechnics are used as a deterrent in agriculture, in vineyards before the harvest and at airports. Fireworks cause disturbance through noise, light and pressure waves. Cavity nesting birds have largely been ignored in the discussion on the effects of fireworks. Here we observed the behaviour of Great Tits, Blue Tits and Wrens roosting in nest boxes during the course of ten different New Year’s Eve nights. All three species displayed noticeably abnormal behaviour compared to undisturbed nights, with phases of alertness,
restlessness, and alarm, accompanied by changes in the roosting position and even displays of panic during peak noise levels of 100 dB(A). Between 45 to 60 minutes pass until they sleep again in their normal roosting position. As a result of the disturbance, they lose 7 % of their normal sleep period. In addition, the disturbance around midnight causes them to abandon the thermoregulatory favourable position (fluffed up), which can have a significant impact on their body condition during cold, frosty nights. Our observations indicate that there are both general and individual, species-specific, behavioural responses. They also suggest that countrywide, fireworks set off in settlements and near woodland are likely to affect millions of cavity and tree roosting birds.
The diurnal cycle of metabolic rate (MR, J/g-h, based on VO2 and VCO2) was measured in 14 Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus), two Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) and one White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) at different ambient temperatures (-7 to +34 °C). In (so far) three Griffon Vultures the heart rate (HR) and body temperature (Tb) were measured by telemetry, simultaneously with MR. The three vulture species show very similar physiological mechanisms. In all cases measured MR is significantly below allometrically expected values (G. fulvus -46%, N. monachus -24%, G. africanus -6%). Fasting for 4 days results in an additional MR reduction of up to 27-35%. There is a very small change of MR with ambient temperature (Ta). Therefore no obvious thermoneutral zone was observed in the broad Ta-range tested (see above). Ta-independent MR is the largest yet measured in birds. Thermal conductance (TC-wet) lies dramatically below expected values (-21.5 to -53.7%), and is extensively used to control heat loss. All these special MR-strategies save energy expenditure. Tb of resting griffons shows a clear sinusoidal diurnal rhythm. The average Tb during the night has a mean value of 37.7 ± 0.49 °C; the mean daytime value is 38.9 ±0.25 °C; the total average is 1.3/1.1 °C below expected values for Falconiformes, an effect significantly reducing energy expenditure. At Ta higher than about 25-30°C, Tb increases significantly with increasing Ta, whereas MR does not vary significantly. Thus, the MR-independent variation of Tb may function as an additional and very effective mechanism for saving energy.
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