Ornithology

Biographical-Item Ornithology

Gill Memorial Medal citation: Colleen Downs

Alan T. K. Lee, Sandi Willows-Munro, David A. Ehlers Smith, Preshnee Singh

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Long-term trends from Citizen Scientists: 24 years of breeding success data of African Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini in the Garden Route

B. Arendse, P. Dawson, B. Mels, M. Brown

Summary: Long-term data on breeding success in beach-nesting birds in southern Africa are scarce, but citizen science projects have helped to reveal their long-term trends. The analysis of data from a monitoring project shows that certain conservation efforts have positively influenced the species, leading to successful outcomes.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Population viability analysis informs Western Grasswren translocation: Multi-population sourcing of 112 founder individuals needed to meet success criteria

Aline Gibson Vega, Amanda R. Ridley, Allan H. Burbidge, Michelle L. Hall, Saul J. Cowen

Summary: Conservation translocations have become popular but vary in success. Population viability analysis can help achieve translocation goals by informing clear objectives. By creating measurable objectives and using PVA, viable translocation scenarios can be identified to increase success rates.

ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS (2023)

Editorial Material Ornithology

Ornithology and open access publishing

Katherine L. Buchanan, Stephen Pruett-Jones

EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Review Ornithology

Anton Reichenow and the birds of Africa

Adrian J. F. K. Craig

Summary: This article introduces the first handbook of the birds of Africa completed by Anton Reichenow in 1905. The handbook describes 152 African taxa and Reichenow is considered a key figure in the development of African ornithology.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Itinerant lifestyle and congregation of lesser kestrels in West Africa

Lina Lopez-Ricaurte, Wouter M. G. Vansteelant, Jesus Hernandez-Pliego, Daniel Garcia-Silveira, Susana Casado, Fernando Garces-Toledano, Juan Martinez-Dalmau, Alfredo Ortega, Beatriz Rodriguez-Moreno, Javier Bustamante

Summary: Using GPS tracking technology, researchers have discovered that lesser kestrels spend most of their non-breeding season at two sites in the Sahel region of West Africa, but gather in two distinct clusters in Senegal and along the Malian-Mauritanian border towards the end of the season. Male and female kestrels show similar migration patterns, and more research is needed on the birds' behavior in the Malian-Mauritanian border region.

JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

A demonstration of the value of recapture data for informing moult phenology models for avian species with imperfect moult data

Philipp H. Boersch-Supan, Alan Tristram Kenneth Lee, Hans-Dieter Oschadleus

Summary: The Underhill-Zucchini model has played an important role in the study of moult in birds' annual cycles, but the inferences are susceptible to imperfect moult data and violations of model assumptions. Recent extensions to the Underhill-Zucchini framework have been demonstrated to aid in the robust estimation of moult parameters, particularly when within-season recapture data is available.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Wildfire smoke reduces Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) flight activity

Stuart Rae, Renee Brawata, Claire Wimpenny, Micah Davies, Jaimie Hopkins

Summary: There have been limited empirical studies on birds' sensitivity to air pollutants. A study conducted in Australia during wildfires and smoke exposure found that birds were more likely to fly when PM2.5 levels were low, and the odds of flying decreased as PM2.5 density increased.

EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science

Rethinking the functions of peacock's display and lek organisation in native populations of Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus

Dhanashree Ashok Paranjpe, Vedanti Rajiv Mahimkar, Priyanka Dange

Summary: This study investigates the display behaviors and the selection factors of display sites in Indian peafowl. The findings suggest that male peafowl display behaviors are not only used for attracting female mates, but also for male-male competition or territory defense. The study also reveals that display sites are more concentrated near food provisioning and water resources, highlighting the importance of resources in the choice of display territories.

AVIAN BIOLOGY RESEARCH (2023)

Article Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science

Assessing Micro-habitat Preferences of Hill Partridge (Arborophila torqueola) in the Central Himalayan landscape of India

Avantika Thapa, Bheem Dutt Joshi, Mukesh Thakur, Lalit Kumar Sharma

Summary: Ground-dwelling birds are vulnerable and under-studied. Understanding their resource selection patterns and habitat relationship is crucial for effective conservation efforts. This study utilized camera traps to observe the habitat selection of hill partridge, revealing a complex pattern and its preference for canopy and bamboo cover.

AVIAN BIOLOGY RESEARCH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Brilliant bird brains: object recognition in Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)

Kristen M. Covino, F. Dylan Titmuss, Joseph E. Brosseau, Dora C. Donacik, Maddie E. Ellms, Allison E. Fisante, Olivia K. Maday, Alyssa R. Nowicki, Daphne Okuyama, Jessica M. Robinson, Katherine A. Schickfus, Eliza L. Stanley, Mary Elizabeth Everett

Summary: This study investigated object recognition by Herring Gulls and found that they display different behaviors toward different objects according to their levels of perceived threat.

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Biodiversity Conservation

Feather isotopes (62Hf) and morphometrics reveal population-specific migration patterns of the Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)

Erica H. Dunn, Kevin J. Kardynal, Kristen M. Covino, Sara R. Morris, Rebecca L. Holberton, Keith A. Hobson

Summary: By using stable hydrogen isotope assays and wing-length measurements, we were able to broadly delineate the breeding/natal origins of Blackpoll Warblers captured at migration monitoring sites across Canada and the northeastern United States. Our results confirmed the known clockwise loop migration pattern, provided new insights into spring migration routes in North America, and laid the foundation for incorporating breeding ground origins into estimations of range-wide population trends based on standardized migration counts.

AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY (2023)

Article Biodiversity Conservation

Highly variable movements by Andean Flamingos (Phoenicoparrus andinus): implications for conservation and management

Alex E. Jahn, Joaquin Cereghetti, Michael T. Hallworth, Ellen D. Ketterson, Brandt Ryder, Peter P. Marra, Enrique Derlindati

Summary: The Andean Flamingo is the rarest and least studied flamingo species, with little information available about its annual cycle and wetland usage. By tracking four individual flamingos, we found highly variable movement patterns and the need for international conservation cooperation.

AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY (2023)

Article Biodiversity Conservation

Seasonal variation in drivers of bird-window collisions on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada

Viviane Zulian, Andrea R. Norris, Kristina L. Cockle, Alison N. Porter, Lauryn G. Do, Krista L. De Groot

Summary: This study examined the effects of building and vegetation features on bird-window collision risk at a coastal campus. The results showed that glass area and the number of stories reflecting vegetation were important factors affecting collision probability, and different seasons had different impacts on collision risk.

AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Molt and body measurements for Gray Hawks in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Michael T. Stewart, Peter Pyle, William S. Clark

Summary: The study reveals that Gray Hawks captured in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas show different molting strategies and measurements compared to those from other regions. They exhibit a lower incidence of Stafflemauser molting patterns and have a heavier weight, supporting Bergmann's rule.

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Homeward bound: annual breeding home range size and overlap in Broad- winged Hawks (Buteo platypterus) and the effects of sex, productivity, and ecoregion

Diego Gallego, Rebecca Mccabe, Laurie Goodrich

Summary: Documenting the home range size of the Broad-winged Hawk and identifying variables influencing it are crucial for understanding its population ecology and conservation. The study found that breeding home ranges were larger in males compared to females and were influenced by the ecoregion. Additionally, nest site fidelity and home range overlap were observed, indicating stability in breeding home ranges and nesting locations over several years.

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Costs and benefits in extreme nesting associations: do Sociable Weavers benefit from hosting African Pygmy Falcons?

Anthony M. Lowney, Robert L. Thomson

Summary: Avian nesting associations play a crucial role in breeding bird communities. The relationship between African Pygmy Falcons and Sociable Weavers can enhance rates of adaptation, speciation, and coevolution. Falcons can deter snakes from accessing weaver colonies, but it doesn't significantly increase weaver nest survival.
Article Ornithology

High adult survival in a northern Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) population

Veli-Matti Pakanen, Reijo Kylmänen

ORNIS FENNICA (2023)