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Handbook to the Birds of the World: Volume 2
... Breeding populations from eastern Europe and northern Asia are fully migratory and usually perform long-distance migrations to overwinter in template areas, such as the Mediterranean basin or middle Asia (Cramp and Simmons 1980;Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001;Panuccio et al. 2021). Conversely, breeding populations from western Europe are partial or shortdistance migrants, with individuals performing short-range movements from northern to southern Europe (Del Hoyo et al. 1994). Iberia forms the southern limit of the breeding range of Hen Harriers in Western Palearctic. ...
... The species generally nests some distance from conspecifics but may occasionally breed in small groups, although communal breeding is more likely to occur with Montagu's harriers (Panuccio et al. 2021). Polygyny has been reported in the species, often involving a male and two females, but rarely males have been observed provisioning up to seven females (Del Hoyo et al. 1994). ...
... First, the sample size of males was significantly lower than that of females (5 breeding periods of males vs. 16 breeding periods of females), which does not allow us to draw any major conclusions on sex differences on the spatial behavior of Iberian Hen Harriers. This low sample size of males may be a consequence of the lower number of males compared to females in the Iberian population of the species, which is also relatively small (500-800 pairs; Arroyo et al. 2017) and probably organized into polygynous groups with one male and several females (Del Hoyo et al. 1994). Another weakness in our study is the qualitative and GPSbased classification of Hen Harriers as 'breeders' or 'nonbreeders' due to the lack of field observations to confirm the reproduction of individuals. ...
The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a medium-sized, dimorphic raptor from Eurasia which usually hunts birds and small mammals. Studies on the spatial behavior of the species based on GPS-tracking devices are extremely scarce at the global level. Thus, here we GPS-tracked 24 adult Hen Harriers (Circus cyaneus) to study the overall patterns of the breeding spatial ecology of the species in Iberia, including home range sizes, cumulated distances, temporary variability, and the effect of latitude. The breeding season period of the tagged Hen Harriers started on 21 March ± 25 days (mean ± SD) and ended on 04 July ± 21 days, with a duration of 104 ± 18 days. We found an effect of latitude on the phenology, with northern individuals breeding later than southern individuals. Breeding home ranges (95% KDE as kernel density estimation) averaged 53.7 ± 68.2 km 2 , while core areas (50% KDE) averaged 6.2 ± 11 km 2. Home ranges were smaller during the central weeks of the breeding period, when females were arguably incubating, and progressively increased as chick-rearing progressed. Regarding fidelity to breeding areas, of the four females analyzed over 2 consecutive years, all returned to the same area to breed in the second year, with a measured overlap in home ranges of 51 ± 22 %, and core areas in 34 ± 40%. Future studies combining comprehensive field monitoring with remote tracking are necessary to further explore the behaviour of the species. Nonetheless, given that there are not GPS-based studies of Hen Harrier breeding ecology worldwide, our work provides a basic overview of the species that can be used as starting point for further studies.
... Copsychus malabaricus (white-rumped shama) comprises 12 subspecies native to India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam [16]. Renowned for its singing ability, this species has been a popular pet and has been exported worldwide for a long time [17]. ...
... Renowned for its singing ability, this species has been a popular pet and has been exported worldwide for a long time [17]. It has successfully invaded many areas, including Oahu and Kauai, in the Hawaiian Islands [16]. Males and females of the species have distinct appearances, with males of different subspecies exhibiting slight variations in crown colour, ranging from entirely black to having white crowns. ...
... Males and females of the species have distinct appearances, with males of different subspecies exhibiting slight variations in crown colour, ranging from entirely black to having white crowns. However, all males share the characteristics of a white rump, long black tail and orange belly [16]. The most commonly observed subspecies in Taiwan is C. malabaricus malabaricus, distinguished by its all-black head. ...
Studying the model selection, especially in multiple heterospecific mimicry, is crucial for understanding the function of vocal mimicry. Invasive songbirds with large repertoires in novel auditory environments lacking conspecifics expand their repertoires by imitating heterospecifics, offering valuable insights into model selection. This study examines vocal mimicry in the invasive Copsychus malabaricus (white-rumped shama), focusing on how this species selects mimicry models in Taiwan. We recorded the songs of 256 males across 26 sites in Taiwan, and their vocal mimicry of heterospecific sources was identified. Our results revealed that at least 28 animal species were mimicked, and 68% of those model species were endemic. Regarding individual mimics, 68.6% of 242 mimics imitated more than two species and 13.2% of total mimics imitated up to 4–8 species. Most mimicry types (defined by species mimicked) exhibited a significant clumped distribution, except three mimicry types. As the number of observed C. malabaricus at a site increased, the number of identified mimicry types increased significantly. Furthermore, as the total number of mimics of the two sites increased, the compositions of mimicry types of the two sites were more likely dissimilar. We suggest that individual differences play a crucial role in the model selection of heterospecific mimicry, and these differences may result from variations in individual learning ability or preferences, or from variations in the local auditory environment where the individuals inhabit.
... Field observations since 2016 suggest that social dominance among adult females may be unstable, and is thus unlikely to be regulated by conventions such as queueing (East and Hofer 2001;Field, Cronin, and Bridge 2006;Foerster et al. 2016) or social learning (Holekamp and Smale 1991) but rather, at least in part, influenced by individuals' physical size or condition. Social groups spend early mornings and late afternoons foraging and interacting on glades-typically feeding on grass leaves, roots, bulbs and seeds, as well as berries and small invertebrates (del Hoyo et al. 1992;Papageorgiou et al. 2021). Such prolonged exposure in open areas makes it easy to observe aggressive and submissive behaviours among group members (Papageorgiou and Farine 2020;Dehnen, Papageorgiou, et al. 2022). ...
... Females that breed lay eggs in a well-hidden scrape on the ground on consecutive days, until they reach a clutch size of up to 15 eggs, although clutch sizes of 8-10 eggs are more typical in our population (Nyaguthii et al. 2025). The female then incubates the nest for approximately 23 days (del Hoyo et al. 1992). We have no observations of females receiving help during incubation (females of the closely related helmeted guineafowl Numida meleagris incubate alone; Elbin, Crowe, and Graves 1986), nor do females take any extensive foraging breaks during the incubation period. ...
... We then monitored located nests to determine the number of eggs therein and the breeding stage reached. For the purposes of this study, we defined individuals that successfully hatched chicks as "breeders," given that these individuals produced a clutch of eggs and incubated these for approximately 23 days (del Hoyo et al. 1992). We defined "non-breeders" as those individuals that did not attempt to breed or those whose nests failed prior to hatching, given that this could happen after only few eggs were laid and without incubation. ...
Agonistic and affiliative interactions with group members dictate individual access to resources, and investment in competing for resources is often traded off with other needs. For example, reproductive investment can reduce body condition and, thereby, an individual's ability to win future agonistic interactions. However, group members may also alter their behaviour towards reproductive individuals, such as becoming more or less aggressive. Here, we investigated the social consequences of reproduction in female vulturine guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum, a plural breeder in which females disperse and are subordinate to males. We found opposing patterns for within‐ and between‐sex dominance interactions experienced by females from before to after breeding. Specifically, breeding females became far less likely to win dominance interactions with non‐breeding females after breeding than before breeding, but received considerably fewer male aggressions than non‐breeding females after breeding. Despite a limited sample size, our study reveals that reproduction can have nuanced trade‐offs with dominance and suggests that the study of dominance may benefit from explicitly considering variation in interaction rates as an additional factor affecting individuals.
... Concerning post-reproductive strategies, in northern areas, Hen Harriers are fully migratory and typically undertake long-distance migrations [1,5]. In contrast, Central and Southern European areas have partial or short-distance migrants, with individuals moving from Northern Europe to Southern Europe, such as the Iberian Peninsula [6,7]. Spain represents the southernmost area of the distribution and is an area where the behaviour of this species differs from the rest [4,6], as the margins of distributions tend to show greater variability in the strategies and behaviours of the animals [8,9]. ...
... In contrast, Central and Southern European areas have partial or short-distance migrants, with individuals moving from Northern Europe to Southern Europe, such as the Iberian Peninsula [6,7]. Spain represents the southernmost area of the distribution and is an area where the behaviour of this species differs from the rest [4,6], as the margins of distributions tend to show greater variability in the strategies and behaviours of the animals [8,9]. The population exhibits a range of strategies, from being sedentary to carrying out long-distance migrations (more than 400 km [10]) across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco [11]. ...
... These seven individuals provided us with data for 12 annual periods, with six individuals (two females and four males) in the first annual period and six individuals (three females and three males) in the second annual period (Table 1). We analysed the initial two years of dispersal, as this is the age when Hen Harriers typically first breed [6]. While instances of successful breeding at one year have been noted (about 30% of breeding birds [6]), the predominant breeding age within the Spanish population is at two years old (SEO/BirdLife, own data). ...
The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a medium-sized raptor with a broad distribution across the Palearctic. In Spain, Hen Harrier behaviour is diverse due to being at the southern limit of its distribution, and the margins of distributions tend to show greater variability in the strategies and behaviours of animals. This study focused on juvenile dispersal, using GPS/GSM data from seven individuals to define movement patterns, compare variables between sexes, and analyse differences between the first and second years of dispersal. To analyse the movements during each annual period, six variables were considered, namely the mean distance from nest location, maximum distance from nest location, mean daily distance travelled, total distance travelled, 95% weekly kernel, and 95% total kernel. In their first year after leaving the nest, the Hen Harriers began dispersal movements on 21 August ± 34.41 days, with highly variable distances and durations among individuals. They travelled an average total of 6774.66 ± 5360.46 km over the two first years, with some significant differences between sexes and periods in terms of movement patterns, particularly in the daily and total distances travelled. Overall, the maximum distance from nest location and the total distance travelled were greater in the first year of dispersal than in the second year, indicating, as expected, an improved understanding of their environment and more efficient movements. The juvenile dispersal behaviour of the Hen Harrier is highly variable and represents the most vulnerable season for survival as the birds navigate new and unexplored territories.
... It has a small crest, giving the head a peaked appearance, and during the breeding season, the adult displays long, ragged feather plumes (Allen 2019). Three species of pelican occur annually and naturally in the Western Palaearctic (Del Hoyo et al. 1992). The Great White Pelican and the Dalmatian Pelican breed in Europe, with large numbers in Romania (Danube Delta), but colonies also exist in other countries such as Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine (Del Hoyo et al. 1992). ...
... Three species of pelican occur annually and naturally in the Western Palaearctic (Del Hoyo et al. 1992). The Great White Pelican and the Dalmatian Pelican breed in Europe, with large numbers in Romania (Danube Delta), but colonies also exist in other countries such as Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine (Del Hoyo et al. 1992). In north Africa, the Pink-backed Pelican is an annual spring and summer visitor to southern Egypt at Abu Simbel on Lake Nasser, close to the Sudanese border, sometimes in large numbers (over 90 in 1990 and 1994). ...
The firsT confirmed record of The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens Gmelin, 1789) in alGeria abdelmalek lemkoureb a , oussama ailam b,c , bachir harzallah c , Walid soukkou c , idriss aissi c , khaled ayyach c , djamel hadj aissa c , mohamed missoum c , belkacem aimene boulaouad c,d* abstract. On 4 February 2025, a single individual of the Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) was observed at the Hammam Grouz dam, Milla region, located in eastern Algeria. This marks the first confirmed sighting of this species in the country. The presence of this species in Algeria is noteworthy, as it is typically found in sub-Saharan Africa. This observation may indicate a case of vagrancy, possibly influenced by environmental factors.
... With regard to birds, such analyses have been thoroughly conducted in Europe, resulting in a large amount of data [3][4][5][6][7]. These are, however, still far from completion in the tropical regions of the world [8]. For example, in southern Africa, whose fauna is one of the most intensively studied among the tropical regions of the world, bird distribution has been well researched [9][10][11]; still, little is known about the abundance of many species there, especially those from the order Passeriformes. ...
... Territoriality usually has an intraspecific character, and its main function is population density regulation [1]. There are, however, cases of interspecific territoriality, even among species that are not closely related, for example, between Parus major Linnaeus 1758 and Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus 1758 in Scotland [14]; Acrocephalus species in Europe [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]; Corvus corone Linnaeus 1758-C. monedula Linnaeus 1758-C. ...
In avian behavioural and spatial ecology, issues related to population density, territoriality, and philopatry are especially important. These are often interrelated. The aim of this study was to analyse these behaviours in shrikes inhabiting an acacia savanna in northern Namibia (400 ha). Population densities of one shrike and four bushshrike species were studied by means of the territory mapping method. About half of the study area had been modified by humans into cultivated fields, orchards, sport fields, and human settlements. This study was conducted in 2012/2013, 2017/2018, and 2019/2020. The most common species were the Black-backed Puffback (2.5 pairs/100 ha) and Crimson-breasted Shrike (1.9); the least common were the Southern White-crowned Shrike (0.8) and Brubru (1.0). Statistics for the Brown-crowned Tchagra indicated a density of 1.5 pairs/100 ha. While the density of the Brown-crowned Tchagra and Brubru remained stable over the years, the population densities of the Black-backed Shrike, Crimson-breasted Shrike, and Southern White-crowned Shrike showed a remarkable increase over the years 2012–2020. All bushshrike species showed a preference for patches of natural savanna vegetation. This was especially evident in the Crimson-breasted Shrike and the Brubru. However, the Southern White-crowned Shrike from the shrike family did not show this preference. The presented studies showed marked interspecific differences in territoriality and philopatry. Furthermore, even within the same species, marked temporal differences were shown in population density, probably also in philopatry. Within families, these behaviours may shape both resource competition and mate competition, while between families, these behaviours only shape resource competition.
... Adult vultures are distinguishable from immatures based on the color of their hoods and the complexion of their faces. Adults have a beige-colored hood with a pale pink face, and immatures have a dark brown hood with a pale blue face (del Hoyo et al. 1994). We recorded data on the BirdPlus app (Kumdet et al. 2023). ...
... In our study, adults outnumbered immatures by a ratio of 3:1, with a maximum of 52 adults recorded at one count. Hooded Vultures form monogamous pair bonds for life (Mundy and Cook 1975) and breed once per breeding season, which typically translates to once a year if conditions are favorable (del Hoyo et al. 1994). The number of adults we tallied could theoretically represent 20 to 25 potential breeding pairs, assuming an equal sex ratio, ideally raising 20 to 25 immatures per year. ...
Vultures are highly effective scavengers but face numerous threats that increase their extinction risk. Globally, vulture populations are declining due to various anthropogenic factors that impact their abundance and distribution. Despite large declines, most populations of vultures remain unassessed, especially in Africa. We assessed the abundance and spatial distribution of the critically endangered Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) across urban and rural areas of the Cape Coast metropolis in southern Ghana. We conducted Hooded Vulture counts at verified permanent roosts and feeding sites simultaneously during the wet and dry seasons. We found an average of 50 ± 10 (SD) and 50 ± 13 vultures in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, at the selected study areas. Vulture counts did not vary with season, but did differ by age. Adults outnumbered immature birds in the study area by a ratio of 3:1, suggesting possible population viability issues in the future. We investigated spatial distribution using past and present vulture occurrences from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility dataset and observations from this study. Using maximum entropy modeling, we investigated the influence of eight environmental variables on spatial distribution. Distance to food sources and roads—key proxies and indicators of human activity—were the most important factors influencing vulture distribution. We also found five permanent roosts and eight feeding sites in the study area. This study provided valuable baseline data for future conservation and monitoring. We recommend additional research and focused conservation initiatives, particularly targeting stakeholders around sites of the local vulture populations.
... Birds from Accipitridae, Falconidae, and Strigidae families are at the top of the food chain and play a key role in their ecosystems [1][2][3]. Most raptors are flagship and umbrella species with very different behaviours, feeding ecology, habitat selection, and migratory patterns [4]. ...
... Eurasian Griffon Vultures are scavengers, while the Eurasian Sparrowhawk and the Northern Goshawk are primarily ornitophagous. Other studied species of raptors are generalist carnivores [1][2][3]. ...
Most raptors are flagship and umbrella species acting as ecosystem engineers. Research on avian parasites in raptors is therefore of interest. There is a lack of studies on Sarcocystis in naturally infected raptors. In the present work, we aimed to identify Sarcocystis spp. in intestinal scrapings of the raptors from Spain. Sarcocystis spp. were identified in 82.5% of the intestinal samples studied by nested PCR and sequencing of the partial ITS1 region and 28S rRNA. A total of nine known Sarcocystis species, S. arctica, S. columbae, S. cornixi, S. glareoli, S. halieti, S. kutkienae, S. cf strixi, S. turdusi, and Sarcocystis sp. ex Corvus corax, and three genetically new organisms, Sarcocystis sp. Rod6, Sarcocystis sp. Rod7, and Sarcocystis sp. 22AvEs1, were identified in the intestines of raptors. This study is the first report of Sarcocystis spp. in the intestines of eleven raptor species from Spain. Furthermore, the new potential definitive hosts have been determined for seven Sarcocystis species. Co-infection of Sarcocystis spp. has also been observed, with more than one species found in 72.5% of birds. Nine different Sarcocystis species were identified in the intestinal samples of the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). In conclusion, raptors play an important role in the transmission of Sarcocystis spp.
... A prospective MAV should have Re < 15000, 9 and is thus restrained in size and weight. Hence, a series of small birds were analyzed, including the chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), 10 the hoopoe (Upupa epops), 11 the tern (Sterna paradisaea), 12 the pigeon (Columba livia), 13 the lark (Eremophila alpestris), 14 the finch (Taeniopygia guttata), 15 and the magpie (Pica pica). 16 Birds have evolved to adapt to varying environmental and mechanical requirements. ...
... 20 Here, wing length of the selected birds was assumed to be half of the wingspan, where wingspan value was retrieved from the literature. 11,21 Ideal conditions were assumed for the fluid. ...
Darwinian evolution has yielded adaptations of small birds to their environments. Leveraging these abstractions to create Biomimetic MAVs can significantly improve UAV technology. Hybridizations of flight patterns of several small birds are isolated for a selection of use cases, including environment, load and manoeuvrability. The MAV status of the birds is affirmed by calculating their Reynolds numbers. The ensuing discussion applies the hybridizations to the UAV context. Future research should construct and simulate models under varying conditions.
... Abdim's storks Ciconia abdimii breed in the Sahel and migrate to central, eastern and southern Africa, hereby benefitting from the rainy seasons of both hemispheres [16]. Some small-bodied austral migrants, such as the pennant-winged nightjar Caprimulgus vexillarius [17], also show distinct breeding and non-breeding areas involving long-distance migration across the Equator, but no tracking data exist. ...
... During the pre-breeding journey of less than a month, most of the nights were spent flying. The arrival at breeding sites at the beginning of the rainy season and thus at the onset of vegetation greenness, was later than in other migrants such as pennant-winged nightjars that start breeding before the first rains [17]. The rapid pre-breeding migration of woodland kingfishers could have benefitted from favourable conditions at the non-breeding site, at the end of the Sahel rainy season [69,70]. ...
The main features of long-distance migration are derived from landbirds breeding in the Northern Hemisphere. Little is known about migration within the tropics, presumably because tropical species typically move opportunistically and over shorter distances. However, such generalizations are weakened by a lack of solid data on spatial, temporal and behavioural patterns of intra-tropical migrations. To start filling the research gap, we provide comprehensive data for small-sized intra-African migrants, woodland kingfishers. We inferred stationary locations, migration timing, flight behaviour and wind experienced en route from multi-sensor loggers recording atmospheric pressure, light and acceleration. After breeding in South Africa, all tagged individuals migrated 4000 km to South Sudan, spending their non-breeding period within 100 km of each other. Thereby, woodland kingfishers tracked their climatic niche, using two rainy seasons in open woodland across the Equator. Migratory flights were strictly nocturnal, reaching 2890 m.a.s.l. Flights were unusually short, but lengthened when crossing rainforests, a behavioural adjustment similar to barrier-crossing along well-described flyways. These results suggest that long-distance intra-tropical migration displays patterns that are surprisingly similar to other flyways. Pending confirmation in other species, intra-tropical migrations might be more extensive and less flexible than assumed, underlining the importance of further research guiding conservation efforts.
... The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), hereafter referred to as "DP", is an emblematic Palearctic bird species ranging from Eastern Europe to China [1,2]. Dalmatian Pelicans mainly live in inland freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, deltas, and estuaries, where they feed almost exclusively on fish [2,3]. The Southeastern European (SEE) population of DP consists of short-distance migrating populations from Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Turkey [4]. ...
... In Greece, the birds belonging to the eastern group of populations (from four breeding colonies: Prespa, Chimaditida, Kerkini, and Karla lakes) winter close to their breeding grounds and usually migrate to wetlands of north/northeastern Greece and western Turkey [4,5] (Figure 1). The largest breeding colony of DPs in the world is located at Mikri Prespa Lake, Greece [6], where they breed side-by-side with the great white pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (GWP) [7], which shows similar feeding behavior and habitat preferences [3]. However, GWPs are long-distance migrants [8] that fly through many important stopover sites in their southward migration to African wetlands along the Rift Valley for wintering in the eastern Africa region [8,9]. ...
Background/Objectives: In 2022, an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) killed 60% of the largest breeding colony of Dalmatian pelicans (DPs) in the world at Mikri Prespa Lake (Greece), prompting a multidisciplinary study on HPAI and other pathogens. This study determines the antimicrobial resistance rates of cloacal enterococci and Escherichia coli in DPs. Methods: Fifty-two blood and cloacal swab samples were collected from 31 nestlings (20 DP/11 great white pelicans) hatched after the H5N1 outbreak at the Prespa colony and 21 subadult/adult DPs captured at a spring migration stopover. The swabs were inoculated in non-selective and chromogenic-selective media. Identification was performed using MALDI-TOF, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested. The genetic content was characterized using PCR and sequencing, and the clonality of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates was characterized using Multilocus Sequence Typing. Results: Twenty-eight non-repetitive E. coli and 45 enterococci isolates were recovered in non-selective media; most of them were susceptible to all antibiotics tested (85.7% E. coli/91.1% enterococci). Three of the fifty-two samples (6%, all adults) contained ESBL-E. coli isolates (detected in chromogenic ESBL plates), all carrying the blaCTX-M-15 gene and belonging to the lineage ST69. Conclusions: Despite the susceptibility of most fecal E. coli and enterococci isolates to all antibiotics tested, the finding that E. coli of lineage ST69 carry blaCTX-M-15 is of concern. This high-risk clone needs further investigation to elucidate its primary sources and address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance from an integrated “One Health” perspective. Furthermore, it is imperative to study the potential impacts of ESBL-E. coli on the endangered DP further.
... Thus, a species could be included multiple times in our analysis if it was included in multiple studies. Information about incubation and nest ecology was obtained from the Handbook of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo et al. 2009). In some species, only one parent incubates, but the incubating parent can be of either sex (e.g. ...
... Also, in most cases, the nature and direction of sex differences were not explicitly recorded, so we could not include this information in our analyses. For studies on free-living birds, breeding stage dates and incubation type were verified using the Handbook of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo et al. 2009). For studies on captive birds, we inspected the methods to confirm that birds were brought into breeding condition using appropriate methods (e.g. using natural light cycles for birds in outdoor aviaries or by using artificial light to photostimulate birds kept indoors). ...
While the roles of auditory and visual cues in avian communication have been studied extensively, the importance of olfactory cues has been largely overlooked. During preening, birds extract a waxy secretion called preen oil from their uropygial gland (or preen gland) and smear it over their plumage. Preen oil is an important source of avian body odour and may have perfuming (or odour-related) roles, in addition to other roles like plumage maintenance and waterproofing. In this thesis, I explored the odour-based roles of preen oil, notably olfactory crypsis against predators and olfactory intraspecific communication, including mate choice and parent-offspring recognition. To do so, I first investigated what information (e.g. season, sex) is encoded in avian olfactory cues by analysing the variation in the chemical composition of preen oil. In a systematic review (Chapter 2), I found that almost all bird species studied exhibit seasonal changes in preen oil composition, whereas only half of bird species studied show sex differences. Why would seasonal changes be common yet sex differences vary between species? To answer this question, I conducted a comparative analysis on 59 species and showed that both seasonal and sex differences can be predicted by the nesting ecology of the species (uni- vs biparental incubation, ground vs non-ground nesting) (Chapter 2). These results suggest that preen oil odours could be used to increase olfactory crypsis at the nest, especially in ground-nesting species, but also as a sex semiochemical for olfactory mate choice. Because the role of preen oil odours is probably species-specific, I sampled and analysed the preen oil of two specific species, the Kentish plover (Anarhynchus alexandrinus) and the European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). In Kentish plovers, a ground-nesting shorebird with biparental incubation, I found no sex difference during incubation (Chapter 5), corroborating results from the comparative analysis. In pied flycatchers, a hole-nesting songbird with uniparental incubation, I also found no sex differences during breeding (Chapter 4), which was contrary to the predictions from the comparative analysis. Furthermore, in pied flycatchers, preen oil changed rapidly across breeding stages (between incubation and nestling-rearing) in females and changed across ontogeny (from nestling to adulthood) (Chapters 3 & 4). Interestingly, I did not find individual chemical signatures, but breeding pair and family signatures, which suggest that preen oil is influenced by the nest environment (Chapters 3 & 4). To make sure that results from such studies are robust and reliable, I conducted an almost exact replication (Chapter 4) of the study on the preen oil of pied flycatchers (Chapter 3). Importantly, part of the results were not reproducible (e.g. the subtle sex differences detected in the first study were not found in the replication), highlighting the value of replication studies, which are still very scarce in chemical ecology. Based on the results from my descriptive studies, I speculate that preen oil may have a role in olfactory crypsis in Kentish plovers and in olfactory mate choice in pied flycatchers, although this remains to be experimentally tested. A few studies have shown that birds can use olfactory cues for parent-offspring recognition, but these studies did not use solely preen oil odour. I performed behavioural trials to test if chicks of white-fronted plovers (Anarhynchus marginatus), which are precocial and can thus lose contact with their parents, can use preen oil odours to recognise their parents (Chapter 6). In a Y-maze, chicks showed no preference for the preen oil odour of parents or of unfamiliar adults. This result is inconclusive: it could be that chicks were not able to perceive the odours in the experimental setup, were not able to discriminate between these odours, or simply had no preference. In summary, I combined chemical analyses and behavioural experiments on multiple wild bird species to investigate the roles of preen oil and body odour in birds. Although I could not find any clear evidence for a specific role, my thesis provides valuable information and ideas to promote further study on the ecological significance of preen oil and body odour in birds. Notably, I recommend future studies to better assess the relative contribution of preen oil (and other sources) in whole-body odour, to measure nest odour rather than preen oil or body odour to study olfactory crypsis, and to test for olfactory parent-offspring recognition in colonially-nesting precocial species or in species with intraspecific brood parasitism. The importance of odours in the ecology of birds has long been neglected, but the field of avian chemical ecology is now growing rapidly and promises important discoveries.
... Our dataset contains information on bird life history traits, including resident status (resident or neotropical migrant), foraging stratum (ground, Page 4 of 11 understory, or canopy), foraging strategy (searcher or flycatcher), and social behavior (solitary, pair, or gregarious) (Supporting information). We determined each trait based on specialized literature (Hilty et al. 1986, Del Hoyo et al. 1992, Billerman et al. 2022, Echeverry-Galvis et al. 2022. To describe the geographic distribution of the localities where each bird was captured, we defined four geographical subregions: savannas, foothills, valleys, and Andes to group the localities included in our analyses (Supporting information). ...
... results may be attributed to the fact that bird species categorized as ground foragers in our analysis (e.g. Sporophila intermedia, S. nigricolis, Tiaris olivaceus, Volatinia jacarina, and Zonotrichia capensis ) primarily inhabit open habitats such as grasslands, gardens, and agricultural areas (Hilty et al. 1986, Del Hoyo et al. 1992. Our results showed that agricultural habitats have lower tick infestation rates than natural habitats, emphasizing the importance of considering bird habitat and foraging behavior in the probability of tick infestation. ...
Interactions between wild birds and ticks exert significant selective forces, influencing the host's evolution and fitness. Tick infestation rates vary among bird species due to life history and morphology. Understanding tick infestation probability is crucial for conservation efforts, as birds play an important role in the tick life cycle and can transmit tick‐borne pathogens. In this context, it is essential to understand how life history traits or phylogenetic relationships determine tick infestation probability in the tropics. This study aims to identify wild bird life history traits and habitat characteristics associated with tick infestation probability in the Colombian tropical region. We hypothesized that larger body size, migratory behavior, foraging in lower vegetation stratum, seasonal aggregation, and inhabiting natural habitats increase tick infestation probability. We used a dataset with 3488 wild bird records from 322 species and 41 families, obtained from 61 Colombian localities (26 in the Orinoquia and 35 in the Andean regions). We used phylogenetic generalized linear mixed Bayesian models to assess tick infestation probability based on life history traits, body size, and geographic distribution. Of the birds analyzed, 3.2% were infested by ticks, mainly in immature stages (95%). Our results indicated a lower probability of tick infestation in agricultural habitats and higher elevations. Ground‐foraging species exhibited a lower infestation probability, contrary to previous reports. We found a significant phylogenetic relationship, indicating that related species have similar probabilities of tick infestation compared to more distantly related species. This study provides valuable insights into the bird–tick association, with implications for disease management and bird conservation.
... They usually nest in shrub or low vegetation ecosystems, such as heathland, moorland, grassland or gorse, although they may also nest in cereal fields, such as wheat or barley [10,11]. A peculiarity of harriers is that they nest directly on the ground in dry areas, crops or in dense vegetation rather than building nests in trees or elevated spaces [12,13]. For this reason, this species can be very sensitive to changes in the habitat where it breeds [14]. ...
... The Spanish breeding population of Hen Harriers usually performs itinerant movements around the Iberian territory or short migrations during the non-breeding period [12,15,16]. However, we also found sedentary individuals [9,17] due to their location in the south of their distribution [18] where seasonal changes are not as noticeable. ...
Raptors usually show use for a particular habitat to settle during the breeding period. In this study, we aimed to study the habitat use of the breeding populations of Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) in Spain, which represents the southern distribution limit of the species. We used GPS/GSM data from 17 individuals during 21 breeding periods. We analysed space and habitat use using 95% kernel density estimators to obtain home ranges during the breeding period. Then, we performed a third-order habitat selection analysis, extracting the percentage of locations on each land use and comparing it with random points generated within each home range. Furthermore, an Agricultural Use Index was created to classify harriers with agricultural or forest use depending on habitat. The results showed that harriers had a general use for agricultural land and, to a lesser extent, habitats with natural vegetation scrubs. Nest location was key to habitat selection, and these uses varied with latitude, with natural vegetation being chosen as the nesting habitat in the north and agricultural fields in the south, probably due to the availability of habitats in different parts of Iberia.
... These traits include one continuous attribute (body mass) and three categorical attributes (food type, foraging method, and foraging substrate). All traits related to food type, foraging method, and foraging substrate were converted into binary traits (1 or 0) [39][40][41]. Both P Brownian (for Brownian structure) and P random (for random structure) are reported. ...
Understanding the processes and potential mechanisms of species coexistence within biological communities is a key issue in biodiversity conservation. The Huaihe River Basin, situated in the transitional zone between northern and southern China, encompasses diverse wetland types in its middle reaches, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and subsidence areas. This unique combination of habitats provides an ideal natural laboratory for investigating the mechanisms governing bird community dynamics. Here, we quantified the species, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of waterbird communities across different wetland types. To assess patterns of species clustering or overdispersion, we compared the mean pairwise distance (MPD) and mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD) to null models, employing functional dendrograms and phylogenetic trees as analytical frameworks. Additionally, a hierarchical partitioning approach was employed to evaluate the independent contributions of multi-scale environmental variables to community assembly processes. The diversity indicators among different wetland types display asynchronous patterns, reflecting variations in ecological dynamics among these habitats, with the highest species, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in river wetlands. Our findings reveal that environmental filtering predominantly governs the dynamics of waterbird communities in monotonous open water bodies. In contrast, wetlands characterized by high environmental heterogeneity are primarily shaped by competitive exclusion, which emerges as a key mechanism influencing community structure. Moreover, our research demonstrates that increasing habitat diversity drives a shift in communities from functional and phylogenetic clustering to greater dispersion. Our study highlights the importance of habitat variables in structuring assemblages and suggests that increasing habitat heterogeneity will contribute to waterbird conservation.
... In this study, we investigate the magnitude and direction of seasonal variation in thermoregulatory traits in three closely related Afrotropical passerine birds (common waxbill Estrilda astrild, orange-cheeked waxbill E. melpoda, and blackrumped waxbill E. troglodytes) introduced to Europe. Because of their popularity as pet cage birds (Reino et al., 2017), these small (body mass range ∼6-11 g) granivorous birds typical of grassy habitats, marshes, and swamps (Del Hoyo et al., 1992) have established multiple invasive populations, including in regions where the climate is colder than in their native range (e.g., parts of south-western Europe; Keller et al., 2020). This makes them highly appropriate model species for analyzing potential mechanisms underlying the observed variation in thermoregulatory strategies. ...
... Nilai suhu pada penelitian ini lebih besar dari nilai suhu penelitian tersebut. Suhu optimum gundukan sarang burung gosong kaki merah berkisar antara 29°C hingga 38°C (Hoyo et al., 1994). Suhu yang tinggi didapatkan karna pengukuran suhu yang dilakukan pada siang hari dan penutupan vegetasi di sekitar lokasi penelitian yang rendah sehingga tanah mendapatkan radiasi matahari yang lebih banyak. ...
Orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) is a protected animal. Especially on the island of Lombok, one of the habitats of the orange-footed scrubfowl bird is in Tunak Montain Nature Tourism Park. The condition of the nest will influence the frequency of presence of orange-footed scrubfowl. In this regard, to enrich information in its conservation, it is necessary to carry out research on the characteristics of the nests of the orange-footed scrubfowl. The aim of this research to determine the nest characteristics of the orange-footed scrubfowl in Tunak Montain Nature Tourism Park. The method used is direct measurement and observation in the field. The results of the research show that the nest of the orange-footed scrubfowl bird is in the form of a mound of earth composed of leaves, branches, tree twigs, sand and rocks. The height of the nest mound ranges from 57-160 cm, and the diameter of the nest mound is 500-1,030 cm. The number of holes in each nest varies, namely between 5-9 holes, with a hole depth of 67-142 cm and a nest hole diameter of 30-41 cm. The dominant factors of the abiotic component of the nest that have a singular influence on the presence of orange-footed scrubfowl are distance to the river channel and number of predators. The tendency to choose a nesting area based on the results of Chi-Square analysis is influenced by five variables, namely, distance to the river, soil texture, altitude, temperature and number of predators around the nest.
... El Playerito Blanco (Calidris alba) pertenece a la Familia Scolopacidae, es un ave holártica -neártica y paleártica- (Fjeldsa y Krabbe, 1990) y monoespecífica (Piersma y Wiersma, 1996). Su estado de Conservación en Argentina y a nivel mundial está categorizado como NA (No Amenazada), LC (Preocupación Menor) (M.A. y D.S. y A. BirdLife International, 2024). ...
Acerca del Calidris alba al sur de América del Sur, particularmente en continente adentro, es poco lo conocido sobre dónde puntual y geográficamente se dispersan y cuáles son los sitios de parada/alimentación. En Argentina a pesar de los 104 años y 45 años de sus primeras alusiones y citas publicadas respectivamente en aguas interiores, estas son escasas. Y sus primeros registros de este tipo con evidencias formalmente publicadas tienen apenas 11 años de antigüedad al año 2024, siendo estos mucho más escasos aún. Aquí se aborda un tema en particular, el distribucional geográfico-temporal con cuantía de individuos por avistamiento en el extremo austral de su área de invernada en continente adentro. Se presentan registros de interés en tres provincias argentinas. Están alejados de las costas marinas de los océanos Atlántico y Pacífico, al pie/ladera oriental de la Cordillera de los Andes. Para Catamarca resultan ser los primeros registros y le aportan una nueva especie. Para Chubut el primero en aguas interiores. Para Neuquén el segundo y tercero documentado que corresponderían a un sitio de parada/alimentación. El objetivo es, ante los efectos negativos que viene sufriendo esta especie por cuestiones antropogénicas, enfatizar lo necesario e importante que es publicar este tipo de registros. Ampliar/reforzar/actualizar esta información es fundamental. Tomándola como base de datos fiable servirá para descubrir sitios de parada/ alimentación, posibles patrones de distribución migratoria, y promover la aplicación de estrategias preventivas en pos de su protección ambiental y conservación en estas australes latitudes.
... The Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis (Gmelin, 1789), belonging to the family Pelecanidae, is monophyletically related to the cormorants, darters, frigate birds, and gannets, placed in the order Pelecaniformes (Cracraft et al., 2004;Del Hoyo et al., 1992). Owing to the decrease in species population during the mid-20th century (Kennedy, 2000), the IUCN Red List has categorized this species as 'Near Threatened' (Birdlife International 2017). ...
The expansion of urban areas has raised significant concerns about its impact on the bird community, particularly wetland-dependent species. The transformation of natural habitats into urban areas presents unique challenges and alternatives for these species, requiring a reassessment of conventional conservation paradigms. Among these species, the Spot-billed Pelican (classified as 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN and listed under schedule-IV of the IWPA) is a wetland-dependent bird indigenous to India. Instead of preferring natural habitats (wetlands), it now prefers urban habitats for roosting and nesting. The species has also been observed to prefer telecom towers for roosting and courtship during the breeding season. This observation is one of the first to lead to an understanding of the behavioural plasticity of wetland bird species towards adaptation in an anthropogenic setting. This suggests an early warning sign of habitat degradation in their historical breeding and feeding grounds in neighbouring states. The likely reason for the congregation's selection of these anthropogenic structures may be related to resource availability, adjacent feeding grounds and/or habitat suitability. Records of this type should open up avenues for addressing the problem and developing strategies for careful management of breeding sites in artificial structures.
... It faces the threats of poaching for its meat, feathers, and for use in traditional medicines. Accidental poisoning is another major threat [5]; [6]; [7]; [8]. Crop depredation by peafowl is a serious issue, and has been reported from some areas in India [9]; [10]; [11]; [12].The Indian Peafowl is regarded as protected species through the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and listed as least concern (LC) by the International Union for Nature (IUCN). ...
A total of 260 observations were taken into account to obtain thedensity of Indian Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in all the transects in the study area. This average abundance consisting of 64 Peacocks, 140 Peahens and 56 chicks were obtained from August 2023 to July 2024 (12 months). The present study area actually covering Thanjavur district (10.7870â° N 79.1378â° E)which includes the taluks of Kumbakonam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Papanasam, Thiruvaiyaru and Thanjavur. The data on the abundance of Indian Peafowl were obtained from 57 Transects in the study area and which includes 13 micro habitats. The study area which covering the various microhabitats such paddy crop, cotton plant, bamboo, commercial flower gardens, sugar cane field, banana plant, mango tree groove, coconut tree plantation, bushes of acacia sp, palm tree ground, papaya tree, black gram plant and ground nut plant field etc.All the transects were accounted for density estimation in the study area for Indian Blue Peafowl. Totally 57 transects/areas were studied for the density (Density, Upper Confident Level and Lower Confident Level at 95%) of Indian Blue peafowl. Among the transects, the highest mean density was 8.73/km sampled (Density 8.73 UCL 11.03 and LCL 7.23) observed in Erumaipatti area. Contrary, the lowest mean density of Indian Blue Peafowl was 2.45/km sampled in Rajagiri area (Density 2.45 UCL 4.75 and LCL 0.95). The other transects/areas were recorded the moderate density for Indian Blue Peafowl.The study area covered were 13 type of microhabitats in the study area such Paddy crop, Cotton plant, Bamboo, commercial flower gardens, Sugar cane field, Banana plant, Mango tree groove, Coconut tree plantation, Bushes of Acacia sp, Palm tree ground, Papaya tree, Black gram plantation and Ground nut plant field. The density of Indian Blue fowl was 115.85/ km sampled in paddy field (Density 115.85 UCL 118.15 and LCL 114.55 recorded. The minimum density was obtained (4.38/ km sampled) in the commercial flower gardens (Mean density 4.38 UCL 6.68 and LCL 3.08.The density of Indian Blue fowl in different sex were studied and it showed the highest density was found in the Paddy field in the case of cock. The maximum density was 33.27/km sampled (Density33.27 UCL 35.57 and LCL31.97) in the paddy field. The minimum density of cock were recorded in the ground nut 1.45/km sampled (Density 1.45 UCL 3.75 and LCL 0.15).The density of Indian Blue fowl in the case of hen it was (74.91/km sampled) high (Mean density74.91 UCL 77.21 and LCL 73.61). The low density of hen was recorded (2.55/km sampled) in the commercial flower gardens (Density 2.55 UCL 4.85 and LCL 1.25).The chicks were accounted to find out the density of Indian Blue peafowls and the maximum density was 28.73/km sampled in the paddy field (Density 28.73 UCL 31.03 and LCL 27.43). The minimum density of chicks of peafowl 1.09/km sampled in the ground nut plantations (Density 1.09 UCL 3.39 and LCL 0)were obtained in the study area.
... Since this strictly relationship with urbanization at different scale, we think that this species could represent a good indicator sensu Heink and Kowarik (2010), i.e., a component or a measure of environmentally relevant phenomena-used to depict or evaluate environmental conditions or changes. Indeed, this sedentary species meets many of the typical criteria requested for a biological indicator suitable for sustainable land use policies Fig. 3 Framework used to implement the two different habitat suitability models (a-prevalence cover, and b-proportionally cover; see "Methods") for the San Pietro Island (Noss 1990;Rüdisser et al. 2012): (i) Eurasian collared dove has a stable zoological systematic and taxonomy; (ii) it is a relatively generalist, common, widespread, and medium-sized species, relatively easy to detect and to sample with a minimum field and economic effort; (iii) it is sensitive to a specific variable (in our case, land use urbanization, expressed by several variables): in this regard, it has been evidenced that land cover has important effects on population demography of Eurasian collared dove populations, since urbanization provides a larger availability of spatial (e.g., nesting sites) and trophic resources (Scheidt and Hurlbert 2014); therefore, the species could represent a surrogate to indicate anthropogenic impact due to land use change; (iv) this species allow to monitor land use changes at a small-scaled spatial resolution (in our case, spanning from 100 to 1000 m); (v) it is universally applicable and spatially comparable: this largely diffused species show a similar ecology inside their geographical range (del Hoyo et al. 1996);(vi) interpretation and communication of indicator results may be easily carried out through simple, quantitative, and reproducible uni-variate metrics as, for example, the density of occurrences. ...
Abstract
We studied the habitat preferences at three different landscape scales of Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), a bird which recently colonized the Western and Southern Europe, with the aim to corroborate their synanthropic ecology and to
propose it as indicator of human-induced landscape change. We carried out this study in a small circum-Sardinian island (Italy) of high conservation concern. Comparing occurrence records with random sites, we observed that sites where this species occur showed significant lower averaged values of distance from nearest buildings, from the largest town, and from the nearest paved roads. Sites of occurrence showed significantly higher values of in urban cover density when compared with random sites where the species is absent: in particular, distance from nearest building being the main predictor using a logistic regression.
Predictive models highlighted as a high proportion of the island (24–42%) shows a medium-high suitability for this species. Due to the analogous landscape anthropization of many Mediterranean islands, we suggest as this species could rapidly colonize a large part of them in the next decades. Moreover, this synanthropic species could meet many of the typical criteria requested for a biological indicator of human-induced landscape changes in land use policies.
... This note reports on the occurrence of avian influenza in Sandwich Terns breeding in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy) in 2023 where the outbreak exterminated all chicks, but spared the adults. (Knief et al. 2024), perhaps due to making use of a different flyway (del Hoyo & Sargatal 1996). Nevertheless, HPAI is known to rapidly spread over continents (Olsen et al. 2006, Venkatesh et al. 2018, hence the need to develop a detection network acting as an early warning system to inform health authorities about active outbreaks (Bregnballe et al. 2023). ...
... C) A member of the genus Glaucidium exhibiting the carrying strength that comes from having an enlarged and distally-migrated m. tibialis cranialis tubercle. Within this taxon, prey items may exceed three times the body mass of the owl [62,63]. Photo used with permission and credited to Roy Priest. ...
Enantiornithines were the most diverse group of birds during the Cretaceous, comprising over half of all known species from this period. The fossil record and subsequently our knowledge of this clade is heavily skewed by the wealth of material from Lower Cretaceous deposits in China. In contrast, specimens from Upper Cretaceous deposits are rare and typically fragmentary, yet critical for understanding the extinction of this clade across the K-Pg boundary. The most complete North American Late Cretaceous enantiornithine is Mirarce eatoni, a member of the diverse clade Avisauridae. Except for Mirarce, avisaurids are known only from isolated hindlimb elements from North and South America. Here we describe three new enantiornithines from the Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation, two of which represent new avisaurid taxa. These materials represent a substantial increase in the known diversity of Enantiornithes in the latest Cretaceous. Re-examination of material referred to Avisauridae through phylogenetic analysis provides strong support for a more exclusive Avisauridae consisting of six taxa. Exploration of the functional morphology of the avisaurid tarsometatarsus indicates potential strong constriction and raptorial attributes. The lower aspect ratio of the tarsometatarsus facilitates a more biomechanically efficient lever system which in extant birds of prey equates to lifting proportionally heavier prey items. In addition, the proportional size and distal position of the m. tibialis cranialis tubercle of the tarsometatarsus is similar to the morphology seen in extant birds of prey. Together with the deeply-grooved metatarsal trochlea facilitating robust and likely powerful pedal digits, morphologies of the hindlimb suggest avisaurids as Late Cretaceous birds of prey.
... Mottled owls use a broad range of forest types, including tropical rainforest, dry thorn forest, pine-oak woodland, and along forest edges. Additionally, they can thrive in areas with scattered trees near urban and rural settlements (Del Hoyo et al., 1999). Given that the mottled owl is a year-round resident and nocturnal species, its territorial boundaries must meet the species' needs across its entire life cycle, including their breeding season that occurs between February-May (Gerhardt et al., 1994). ...
Urbanization has profound effects on wildlife. Although some species benefit or even thrive in urban environments, most species respond differently to the varying degrees of disturbance that can be found across an urbanized landscape. Quantifying the effects of urbanization in wildlife distributions, however, is complicated: species vary in their patterns of presence/absence, abundance, and detectability across spatial and temporal scales, e.g., daily, seasonal, or throughout the annual cycle. Here, we use occupancy models to offer a realistic approach to the study of populations of urban owls. Most studies on owl population dynamics have not considered temporal variation in occupancy between seasons or assess the uneven effects of urbanization along a habitat gradient. We investigated the seasonal habitat associations of mottled owls along an urban gradient in the Neotropical city of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Using high-resolution satellite images and object-based image classification techniques, were analyzed the relationship between different vegetation and environmental characteristics with the occupancy of mottled owls. We employed different sampling techniques, including playback surveys and silent listening periods, to detect the presence or absence of owls along a gradient from highest to lowest urbanization. Environmental data and different vegetation types were used to analyze the habitat associations of mottled owls during January (late non-breeding season) and May (late breeding season) of 2023. In total, we detected 68 mottled owls during the non-breeding season and 102 during the breeding season, with higher detection rates in areas with >28 % forest Global Ecology and Conservation 55 (2024) e03243 2351-9894/© 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). surface. Our results revealed that the best occupancy model included forest and forest division (occupancy), ambient noise and moonlight (detection) for the non-breeding season, as well as urban, forest, grass, and forest division (occupancy), and noise (detection) for the breeding season. The percentage of forested and grass areas positively influenced mottled owl occupancy while the percentage of urbanization and forest division influenced it negatively. Moonlight was positively related to mottled owl detection, while ambient noise had a negative effect on detection probabilities of mottled owls during both seasons. Forested areas emerged as pivotal for owl occupancy, indicating their sensitivity to forest changes along the urban gradient. With urban areas increasing, the interplay between forest division, ambient noise, and moonlight unveils critical insights into mottled owl behavior and habitat dynamics, underscoring the necessity for informed conservation strategies amidst urban expansion. Future research should survey different years to provide a more robust assessment of the dynamic occupancy of mottled owls in Neotropical urban gradients.
... In this context, the objective of our study was to assess whether the pellets of the little owl (Athene noctua) influence the germination of seeds of plants growing in south Tunisia. The little owl is an opportunistic predator that feeds on a great diversity of small prey, especially micro-mammals and invertebrates (Del Hoyo et al. 1992). In the Mediterranean populations, the diet is mainly composed of insects, but in the arid and Saharan areas scorpions and solifugae are also widely consumed (Obuch and Kristín 2004). ...
As central-place foragers, owls accumulate prey remains, in the form of rejection pellets, around their roosting and nesting sites, which may modify top soil composition and influence seed germination. However, the effects of owl pellets on seed germination still remain understudied. In this study, we conducted germination assays on two plant species from south Tunisia to assess whether a prior treatment of the seeds with the filtrate of little owl (Athene noctua) pellets affected germination rates under different salinity conditions. Results showed enhanced germination in pellet-treated seeds compared to untreated seeds. Pellet treatment was also associated with reduced inhibitory effects of salt on seed germination. Moreover, at the scale of a little owl territory, the concentrations of organic matter and total nitrogen in the top soil were higher at the nesting site compared to a nearby unused site, providing some evidence of a fertilizing effect of pellets. Overall, our findings suggest that little owls play a significant role in shaping plant dynamics and ecosystem functioning in arid North African areas, where the soil is poor and threatened by salinization. We suggest that little owls may be relevant actors in eventual restoration and rehabilitation plans of degraded ecosystems in these areas. RÉSUMÉ En tant que « prédateurs à place centrale », les rapaces nocturnes accumulent les restes de leurs proies, sous forme de pelotes de réjection, dans leurs sites de repos et de nidification. Cet ajout de matière organique est supposé modifier la composition chimique du sol et y influencer la germination des graines, mais ces effets présumés demeurent encore peu étudiés. Dans ce travail, nous avons effectué des tests de germination sur deux espèces végétales du sud de la Tunisie pour vérifier si un traitement préalable des graines avec le filtrat de pelotes de réjection de chevêches d'Athéna (Athene noctua) affectait le taux de germination sous différentes conditions de salinité. Nous avons trouvé que les graines traitées avaient une germination améliorée comparativement aux graines non traitées. Le traitement était également associé à une atténuation des effets inhibiteurs du sel sur la germination des graines. En outre, à l'échelle d'un territoire de chevêche, les concentrations de matière organique et d'azote dans le sol étaient plus élevées dans le site de nidification comparativement à un site témoin proche, renforçant l'hypothèse d'un effet fertilisant des pelotes de réjection. Dans l'ensemble, nos résultats suggèrent que la chevêche d'Athéna joue un rôle important dans la dynamique de la végétation et le fonctionnement des écosystèmes arides d'Afrique du Nord, où le sol est pauvre et menacé de salinisation. Nous suggérons que ce rapace nocturne pourrait être un acteur pertinent dans des éventuels plans de restauration et de réhabilitation des écosystèmes dégradés dans ces zones. ARTICLE HISTORY
... In general, species that cooccur, such as Black and Turkey Vultures, may not exhibit social facilitation when sharing the same resource, resulting in exploitation competition (Naves-Alegre et al. 2022a). Instead, species of similar body sizes may rely on differences in their aggressive behavior, social nature, or preference for different anatomical parts of carcasses to outcompete similar species (Houston 1988, del Hoyo et al. 1992, Kendall et al. 2012, Kendall 2014, Moreno-Opo et al. 2020. Based on our aggression results, and a carcass consumption study in this system (Wahl et al. 2024 (Coleman and Fraser 1987, Buckley 1996, Stolen 2000, Naves-Alegre et al. 2024). ...
Interference competition occurs when an individual prohibits another's access to a resource through antagonistic interactions. Despite considerable research on scavenger interactions at carrion, the limited evidence for competitive interactions between Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) relies upon the frequency of antagonistic interactions without considering other forms of competition. Using remote cameras, we recorded the duration of aggression, scavenging, and vigilance behaviors exhibited by individual Black and Turkey Vultures scavenging stillborn domestic cattle carcasses within flocks composed of one or both vulture species. We tested for differences of durations of each behavior by vulture species, flock composition, and the combined effect of vulture species and flock composition. Surprisingly, aggressive behaviors were rare and their duration did not differ significantly based on vulture species. The clearest trends between our comparisons revealed that the duration of aggression was significantly longer for Black Vultures in single-species flocks, whereas their duration of scavenging was longer in mixed-species flocks. Turkey Vultures in the presence of multiple conspecifics and heterospecifics exhibited longer durations of vigilance. Our results indicated that scavenging Black Vultures exhibited more aggression toward conspecifics than heterospecifics. Our findings identify the complex ways in which Black Vultures compete with Turkey Vultures, beyond simple aggression
... Estos rasgos son: patrón de actividad, requerimientos de hábitat, hábito y estrategia de forrajeo (ver Material Suplementario). Esta información se obtuvo de guías de fauna e investigaciones locales (Vásquez-Restrepo et al., 2018), nacionales (Ayerbe, 2018;Suárez-Castro & Ramírez-Chaves, 2015), continentales (Emmons & Feer, 1997) y globales (del Hoyo et al., 2004). Adicionalmente, cada especie registrada se categorizó según su nivel de amenaza de acuerdo con la Lista Roja Tabla 1 Síntesis del muestreo en vehículo realizado para el conteo e identificación de vertebrados atropellados para la vía El Escobero y la Variante Las Palmas. ...
Introduction: Urban development and expansion have led to the loss and transformation of Andean ecosystems.
However, remnant forests that maintain biodiversity still exist around Colombia’s major cities, but these forests
are threatened by the road infrastructure. Road ecology in the Neotropics has been focused specifically in docu-
menting the effects of roadkill from a taxonomic point of view, mainly in rural areas.
Objective: To evaluate ecologically and spatially, the collision of fauna on roads located in areas of urban expan-
sion in the Northern Colombian Andes.
Methods: We assessed vertebrate mortality rate and identified the critical areas of roadkill by taxonomic and
functional groups. This was achieved through spatial ecology analysis, specifically Kernel density analysis and
hotspot spatial statistical analysis. Additionally, we identified landscape features associated with road mortality
and assessed the role of roads as resistance and permeability factors.
Results: A total of 279 roadkilled animals belonging to 64 species were found, accounting for 28 % of the 273
vertebrate species recorded in the reserve near the studied roads. The average mortality rate for vertebrates was
estimated from 42 to 170 individuals annually. Differential patterns were detected in roadkill density across taxo-
nomic and functional groups, where nocturnal species and the trophic guilds are the most vulnerable. Likewise,
it was found that the sections of the roads close to the forest have a greater roadkill species richness with greater
ecological requirements. These sections constitute an important resistance to species movement in the area.
Conclusions: Road mortality in the study area exhibits heterogeneous spatial patterns not only at a taxonomic
but also at a functional level, suggesting the deterioration of protected ecosystems in adjacent peri-urban areas.
... This study explored some potential reasons for the decline of this species in the Flow Country, and highlights areas that would benefit from future research. Common Scoters face many pressures and threats year-round, and migrate to reduce or avoid these risks (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Our results suggest that, whilst the number of breeding females in the study area had declined, the breeding productivity did not (at least over the previous 22 years), and the number of small and large ducklings per female remained relatively stable during the study, despite the reduced number of females. ...
Context Understanding waterbird movements is critical for conserving populations and protecting habitats. Aim To provide knowledge of where, when, and how quickly dispersing juvenile egrets move and support identification of critical routes and sites for habitat management. Methods We deployed GPS transmitters on 18 juvenile egrets of two species: great egret (Ardea alba; n = 10) and plumed egret (Ardea plumifera; n = 8) at natal sites in the Macquarie Marshes, Australia. We tracked dispersal movements, including timing, directions, and distances, as well as post-dispersal daily movement timing and distances travelled between roosts and foraging sites. Key results Dispersals of great egrets occurred in multiple directions (27–257 km in the first 72 h); all plumed egrets flew north (136–797 km in the first 72 h). Post-dispersal foraging movements from roosts were short for both species (1–2 km). One plumed egret was tracked flying from Australia to Papua New Guinea, completing a non-stop flight of approximately 38 h. Conclusions This is the first time that GPS telemetry has been used to track egret movements in Australia. It is also the first GPS record of a precise movement path between Australia and New Guinea for any large aggregate-nesting wader species. Tracking revealed key wetland sites and routes and highlighted use of small spatial areas post-dispersal. Implications Movement patterns suggest that juvenile great egrets may benefit more from wetland management in the Murray–Darling Basin than juvenile plumed egrets, at least during dispersal movements and their first year.
Ardeotis nigriceps, commonly known as the Great Indian bustard (GIB), is a species with scattered populations, facing significant threats from human activities and climate change. We used ecological niche models through an ensemble approach to understand the current and potential future distribution of the species throughout four Indian states (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan). Also, we evaluated possible range shifts to assess the species’ response to climate change and to suggest conservation measures that could contribute to the survival of the GIB population. In our study, we considered current and future scenarios for 2050 and 2070 under low and high greenhouse gas emissions (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway—SSP 126 and SSP 585, respectively). Based on current climatic suitability, the GIB’s potential habitat spans approximately 70,092 km² across arid regions of India and Pakistan. Under SSP 126 and SSP585 scenarios, habitat loss is expected to reach 8.1% and 3.2% by 2050 and 3.5% and 2.7% by 2070, respectively. However, our results indicated a projected gain of 44.1% and 50.8% by 2050 and 50.0% and 53.6% under the SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios in preferred GIB habitats by 2070, reflecting a range shift toward the West. Precipitation of the coldest quarter emerged as a critical factor influencing GIB habitat suitability. It is crucial to recognize that threats such as invasive species, hunting, nest predators, human encroachment, and most importantly, infrastructure development, continue to pose a threat to isolated GIB populations, even though our model predicts a positive trajectory of projected habitat gains.
Birdsong is a complex signal shaped by multiple factors and has been explored most widely through the lens of sexual selection, but with mixed results. Here, we focus on the evolution of two song parameters: diversity, which is widely studied, and composition, which is poorly understood. We assessed the potential role of mating system as a proxy for sexual selection, but in addition, investigated whether colony size, a proxy for sociality, and phylogenetic history influence the evolution of these parameters in weaverbirds family (Aves: Ploceidae). Using comparative and path analyses we find that, as expected, species living in larger colonies present greater song diversity and had similar song composition. However, contrary to expectations, polygamous species do not present higher song diversity, nor more similar acoustic composition than monogamous species. A relatively high effect of phylogeny was detected on both song variables. Our results thus suggest that, in this family, sociality is a stronger driver of song diversity and composition than sexual selection. These findings highlight the importance of testing multiple factors when studying bird song evolution and the relevance of sociality.
Pakistan is recognized for its diverse avifauna, particularly as a wintering ground for numerous migratory species that arrive via the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and neighboring regions. In 2025, Pakistan documented a significant record of the Blue-and-White Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana), a migratory songbird belonging to the family Muscicapidae, observed on January 11 at the Mehrano Wildlife Sanctuary in Sindh (GPS coordinates: 27°18'16"N 68°41'09"E). Four individuals were photographed to provide evidence-based documentation, and their characteristics were meticulously analyzed using sonograms and taxonomical attributes. The Blue-and-White flycatcher is a winter visitor to Southeast Asia including India, where sightings are infrequent. This observation represents the first documented occurrence of the species in Pakistan, supported by direct field observations and photographic evidence. This remarkable discovery constitutes a significant enhancement to the region’s avifaunal diversity and underscore the conservation initiatives undertaken by the Sindh Wildlife Department. This rare and elusive record of the Blue-and-White Flycatcher offers valuable insights into the migration patterns of avian species in South Asia, highlighting the necessity for monitoring and conserving critical habitats within protected areas.
Resumo.-Biologia reprodutiva de aves do Cerrado do Brasil central.-Relatamos aspectos da biologia da nidificação de aves do Cerrado (savana, natural e antropizada) do Distrito Federal, Brasil central, com ênfase em ninhos, ovos, períodos de nidificação, placas de incubação, comportamentos reprodutivos e período de atividade de nidificação. Por meio de estudos de 196 ninhos de 42 espécies encontrados entre 2002 e 2009, evidenciamos que a maioria das espécies nidificou entre setembro e novembro/dezembro, no início da estação chuvosa, com grande sobreposição entre espécies. Contrário ao esperado para uma região tropical, a duração do período de nidificação da maioria das espécies foi curto, e durou 3-4 meses. Como esperado para uma região tropical, a maioria das espécies fez postu-ras de dois ovos, mas o tamanho da ninhada atingiu seis ovos em algumas espécies. A forte sazonal-idade no Cerrado, com uma estação chuvosa de 7-8 meses, é aparentemente o fator mais importante que limita a nidificação e outras atividades (ex. muda das penas) nesta região. Poucos estudos como este estão disponíveis para a região Neotropical, mas eles são fundamentais e ainda necessários e úteis para o desenvolvimento da teoria de história de vida. Logo, recomendamos que biologia da nidifi-cação receba muito mais ênfase em pesquisas futuras. Abstract.-We report the nesting biology of birds in the Cerrado (savanna, both natural and anthropic) of the Federal District of central Brazil, with emphasis on nests, eggs, nesting periods, brood patches, reproductive behavior and period of nesting activity. With 196 nests of 42 species found from 2002 through 2009, we found that most species nested from September to November/December, at the onset of the rainy season, with extensive overlap among species. Contrary to expected for a tropical region, the breeding season period of most species was brief, and lasted 3-4 months. As expected for a tropical 386 MARINI ET AL. region, most species laid two eggs, but clutch sizes reached a maximum of six eggs in a few species. The strong seasonality of the Cerrado, with a rainy season of 7-8 months, is apparently the most important factor that limits breeding and other activities (ex. molt) in this region. Few studies like this are available for the Neotropical region, yet they are fundamental and are still needed and useful for the development of life history theory. Therefore, we recommend that breeding biology receives much more emphasis in future research than
Neotropical habitats are among the most threatened of the world, and in recent times, anthropogenic action has been poten-tiated processes that culminate in climate change, which in turn directly affects biodiversity and the resilience of natural ecosystems. Amazonia and savanna-like ecosystems (Cerrado, Caatinga and Chaco) are two of the Neotropical biomes most impacted by human activities and climate change and understanding the dynamics of the fauna in these environments in the face of anthropic changes, is crucial to promote actions to safeguard Neotropical biodiversity. Here, we developed species distribution models of two Psittacidae species, one endemic to Amazonia and another largely distributed in Neotropical Southern Hemisphere savanna woodlands. Our aim was to understand the historical and current distribution of studied species in relation to the environmental climate changes through time, and to project the future distribution of these species in different hypothetical scenarios of future climate change. Our results indicate that both species were widely distributed in the Middle Holocene, and that they were fundamentally allopatric. This recovered pattern was similar to the present distribution modeled. However, in the future projections, the Amazonian species retreated remarkably its distribution, especially in the most extreme scenario, while the savanna species did not expand its area of distribution towards the unoccupied territory. Our results further reinforce the notion that climate change can cause more drastic and dangerous effects on species associated with forest biomes and that these areas may be the most impacted by the loss of biodiversity in a near future.
The Senèze avifauna includes four extinct taxa, Pavo bravardi, Tetrao cf. partium, Surnia robusta, and Corvus corax antecorax. Pavo bravardi, closely related to Pavo muticus, the Green Peafowl of South-East Asia, has been reported in seven European localities, of which Senèze is the most recent one. The other elements can be referred to Recent species, many of which either live on water, or on water banks, or in forested regions with lakes. The Senèze avifauna shows some similarities with the slightly older one of Saint-Vallier, in the same area, but at Senèze the environmental conditions indicated by birds correspond to a more humid climate and to a more wooded paleohabitat.
Secondary sexual traits, such as specific body parts or colouration, play an important role in mating interactions. It has been proposed that they function as quality indicators driven by sexual selection. In birds, much attention has been paid to the study of feather pigmentation, especially in diurnal passerines. However, recent research demonstrates that structural achromatic colours are likely to be of similar importance for communication, especially for species inhabiting poorly lit environments and that are active at night. Using 15 years of capture–recapture data from a long-term study on adult European Nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus), we investigated the role of males’ white tail and wing markings as secondary sexual traits. We show that the inter-individual variation in marking size exceeds that of the other morphometric variables, suggesting that wing and tail markings could be subject to sexual selection. Older males, individuals with a higher body condition index, and long-term territory holders had larger markings, while these effects were particularly pronounced in terminal tail feather markings. The importance of markings for signalling is likely related to their observed use in social displays. Pronounced site differences in tail marking sizes and annual variation suggest environmental factors acting on the ornaments that remain to be further examined.
Wetlands worldwide are rapidly degrading due to anthropogenic activities, impacting the biota, including waterbirds, that depend on these ecosystems. As waterfowls are an excellent indicator of wetland health, study on their abundance and ecology is gaining attention. This review work focuses on the foraging ecology of the wintering migratory and resident Anatids in India. Foraging habitat, predominant diet, foraging techniques and time of foraging of 37 Anatids (30 ducks, 4 geese and 3 swans) are mentioned in this chapter. As overall foraging strategies differ between breeding and wintering grounds largely, this work will assist conservation biologists in framing future strategies for the management of waterfowls.
Haveli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, has a diversified geographical environment that supports a wide number of medicinal and edible bird species. Bird species have been utilized for a variety of diseases and cultural practices since antiquity, although ethnopharmacological and cultural usage of bird species in this region have rarely been reported. This research article provides an introductory ethnomedicinal and cultural valuation of avian species in Haveli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Additionally, it presents a comprehensive compilation and listing of previously available data on these species, which is being done for the first time. Data from 120 native respondents were collected using interviews and questionnaires. In total, 132 avian species were used in folklore utilization, of which 34 species are utilized to treat various diseases. 100% FL was examined for two avian species, the white-rumped vulture and the great tit, and utilized to treat stomach diseases, kidney difficulties, heart attacks, sexual problems, and skin issues. Out of the total, four bird species, namely black francolin, common pigeon, oriental turtle dove, and spotted dove, were determined to be more favored by responders and have the greatest RPL score. Recent research has revealed vital ethnoornithological information regarding native people and their interactions with bird species, which may aid in the sustainable use of avian variety in the studied area. Furthermore, in vitro and/or in vivo evaluation of biological activity in avian species with the highest FL% may be important for the development of new medications.
Powered flight has evolved separately in three tetrapod clades: pterosaurs, birds (avian dinosaurs), and bats. To meet the challenges of powered flight, tetrapods acquired structural, mechanical, and physiological adaptations. Circumferential vascular canals, forming laminar bone, have been proposed to be an adaptation linked to withstanding torsional loading during flight in birds. However, whether laminarity serves as an indicator of biomechanical torsion in pterosaurs, remains to be elucidated. Through a comparative statistical approach, we investigate the association between cortical bone laminarity and skeletal stress in pterosaur flight. For the first time, the presence of laminarity in pterosaur bones was analyzed to observe torsion in bones associated with flight, using thirty-five thin sections of the tapejarid Caiuajara dobruskii, Anhangueridae, and Dsungaripteroidea pterosaurs. We conclude that adaptive relationships arise between bone microstructure and biomechanical function, with forelimb elements (humerus, ulna, and wing phalanges) exhibiting higher laminarity rates compared to hindlimb bones. Additionally, the results provide insights into the possible flight style of these pterosaurs through comparison with bird groups. The presence of laminarity in pterosaurs and birds, but not in bats, highlights that this feature, once considered exclusive to birds, may have convergently evolved in pterosaurs and birds.
The Black-winged Stilt ( Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed ground-nesting wader species found across most continents, except for the northern Nearctic and far eastern Palearctic. This species breeds in a variety of wetland habitats, from coastal marshes to inland lagoons. However, in regions with extreme climates, particularly during the breeding season, Black-winged Stilts may encounter some environmental challenges. This study focuses on the behavioural mechanisms employed by adult Black-winged Stilts to mitigate excessive heat stress on eggs at the Sabkhat Al-Fasl Lagoons, located on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The harsh climate of the study site, characterized by high ground temperatures, significant day-night temperature fluctuations, and intense sunlight during the summer months, presents challenges that may influence the incubation behaviours of the incubating adults. The results showed that nest attendance remained consistently high, averaging 95.18 ± 1.86% throughout the day. Black-winged Stilts maintained egg temperatures within a range of 31°C to 40°C. During the hottest parts of the day, incubating parents exhibited continuous nest attendance, rarely leaving the nest for even a minute. Moreover, the orientation of the incubating adults was influenced by the position of the sun. Specifically, parents tended to avoid facing the sun while incubating, likely to minimize the eggs’ exposure to direct sunlight and reduce the risk of overheating. By documenting these adaptive responses, the study enhances our understanding of how this species copes with extreme heat. Given the rising temperatures linked to global climate change, further behavioural data from other populations of this species—both within the Arabian Peninsula and across its broader distribution—would be crucial for understanding the species’ phenotypic plasticity and its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
To supply the high demand for wildlife as exotic pets, animals may be illegally and unsustainably harvested from the wild and laundered as captive bred. Consequently, there is considerable interest in wildlife forensic tools that are capable of verifying captive origins. Stable isotope analysis is an emerging tool for verifying captive and wild origins by identifying key differences in dietary intake. While previous studies have effectively classified origins by differences in their stable isotope ratios, these studies are often limited to species with small population sizes and geographic ranges, masking potential variation caused by different environments and diets. We tested the accuracy of stable carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope analyses to verify captive and wild origins using bird species that are common in pet trade, and have widespread distributions and generalist diets. Through a citizen science project in South Australia, we collected naturally dropped feathers from four native Australian cockatoo (Cacatuidae) species: Galahs (Eolophus roseicapilla); and three Cacatua species; sulphur‐crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), little corellas (C. sanguinea) and long‐billed Corellas (C. tenuirostris). We compared isotope ratios of captive and wild birds and calculated the classification accuracy of using stable isotopes to determine origin. Stable isotope values were significantly different between captive and wild adult birds, where captive birds had significantly higher δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N than wild birds. Captive and wild origins of individual Eolophus could be classified with relatively high accuracy (88%). However, Cacatua showed low repeatability and large overlaps between the origin groups, which reduced their classification accuracy (74%). Stable isotope analysis can be a potential classification tool in wildlife trade; however, before on‐ground implementation, we recommend that variation from different diets across a species' geographical range be more thoroughly investigated to better understand and explain the full range of possible δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values.
Background
The significance of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) has increased recently due to the growth of the global ostrich farming industry. Morphological and diagnostic imaging of the ostrich head presents challenges for enhancing clinical treatment and veterinary care, particularly concerning surgical disorders in the head and paranasal sinuses.
Aim
This study aims to guide veterinarians in improving the accuracy of clinical diagnoses and treatment for upper respiratory tract and cranial conditions, particularly in surgical cases involving the head and paranasal sinuses.
Methods
Ten healthy adult ostrich heads (Struthio camelus) were collected for anatomical examination. This sample consisted of 5 males (average age: 1.84 ± 0.32 years) and 5 age-matched females (average age: 2.02 ± 0.311 years). The study focused on the cranial, orbital, nasal, and oropharyngeal cavities, along with their contents and paranasal sinuses. The examination included the analysis of bony and cartilaginous structures, as well as soft tissues and cavities, using median, four sagittal, and five cross-anatomical sections. Subsequently, the specimens underwent diagnostic screening using CT and MRI.
Results
Here, we found that the ostrich has two oval featherless nostrils covered by a characteristic operculum at its entrance. The nasal septum separates the nasal cavity, which is supported by the rostral cartilaginous part. There were three features of nasal conchae: rostral (T-shape), middle (coiled bullae), and caudal (triangular), which differ from other bird species. Two paranasal sinuses were detected including triangular-shaped infraorbital and two identical frontal sinuses. The maxillary rhamphotheca had a median culmen and lateral tomium, while the mandibular rhamphotheca also had a median gonys and lateral tomium. The brain was divided into the hindbrain (consisting of medulla oblongata and cerebellum), the midbrain (peduncles of the cerebrum and optic lobes), and the forebrain (thalamus, pineal body, hypophysis, optic tracts and chiasm, cerebral hemispheres, and olfactory lobes). All last structures were compared and verified by CT and MRI.
Conclusion
This study provides an atlas of anatomical cross-sections, CT, and MRI scans of the ostrich head, which can serve as valuable guidance for veterinarians to improve diagnoses and treatments, ultimately enhancing health outcomes for these birds.
The breeding behaviour of raptors is determined by many characteristics, such as courtship and mating patterns, nest building, foraging, territorial defence activities, clutch incubation, and caring for the young. Here, we study the breeding behaviour of the Red Kite (Milvus milvus), a European native bird of prey. From a period between 2018 and 2022, we analysed data for 33 adult Red Kites (14 males and 19 females) during 70 successful breeding episodes in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Using satellite telemetry and in situ observations, we found differences between males and females in the size of the home range, number of nights on the nest, and maximum distances from the nest. We analysed the influence of different factors on movement activity, breeding productivity, and home range size. Females spent significantly more nights on the nest than did males, flew shorter distances from the eyrie, and occupied smaller areas. Red Kites with two or more breeding experiences arrived significantly earlier than did unexperienced Kites in their first breeding attempts. Juveniles departed from the nest sooner than did their parents. Birds with more fledged juveniles occupied smaller home ranges. Our study reveals new knowledge of substantially different breeding behaviours in male and female Central European Red Kites.
We present a genome assembly from an individual female Haliaeetus albicilla (the white-tailed eagle; Chordata; Aves; Accipitriformes; Accipitridae). The genome sequence has a total length of 1,320.30 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 34 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z and W sex chromosomes. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 17,501 protein-coding genes.
The red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator has a widespread global distribution with a stable population and is considered a winter vagrant in South Asia. Since 2016, this species has been recorded six times from many states in India, prompting us to analyse the specimens of the species deposited in the Zoological Survey of India's National Zoological Collections. From historical collection records and present sighting trends, it can be assumed that the species might be regularly visiting wetlands in India but in scarce numbers, thereby either escaping from the attention of birders or misi-dentifying the individuals as common merganser in the Himalayan terai. The implication of the present study is an update to the checklist of birds in India.
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