Ornithology

Article Ornithology

Ringing, tracking and counting data reveal five wintering patterns in European Common Shelducks

Dagmar S. Cimiotti, Dominic V. Cimiotti, Hermann Hoetker, Stefan Garthe

Summary: Information on migratory connections is crucial for effective conservation efforts. However, the spatial connections between breeding and wintering areas are poorly known for many species. This study on Common Shelducks in western Europe reveals that they undergo extensive moult migration after breeding and exhibit diverse wintering patterns. The location of the moulting area influences the geographical position of the wintering area, and the low migratory connectivity and high diversity in wintering patterns suggest the adaptability of Common Shelducks to changing environmental conditions.
Article Ornithology

Habitat Quality Drives the Spatio-Temporal Occupation of a Migratory Songbird, the Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe, in Alpine Grasslands

Riccardo Alba, Dan Chamberlain, Domenico Rosselli, Martha Maria Sander

Ardeola-International Journal of Ornithology (2023)

Article Ornithology

Stochastic population models hindcast population trajectory and breeding history of an endangered parrot

Daniel Gautschi, Dejan Stojanovic, Nicholas A. Macgregor, Luis Ortiz-Catedral, Melinda Wilson, Penny Olsen, Ross Crates, Robert Heinsohn

Summary: Understanding population dynamics is crucial for conserving endangered species. This study used stochastic population models to investigate the population growth of Norfolk Island Green Parrots over a specific period. The findings suggest that natural nests may have played a significant role in the observed population growth. The study highlights the importance of population models in inferring underlying demographic processes and informing conservation strategies, even in situations with limited data.

EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Primary moult in the annual cycle of adult African Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini

Taylyn C. Bate, Peter G. Ryan, Les G. Underhill

Summary: The African Oystercatchers have a primary moult duration of 154 days, taking place from April 1st to September 2nd. Most eggs are laid between mid-November and mid-February, giving oystercatchers about 2-3 months between moult completion and egg laying. This study provides insights on the primary moult of African Oystercatchers and draws comparisons with other wader species.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Pattern and intensity of moult in White-capped/Shy Albatrosses Thalassarche steadi/cauta

Peter G. Ryan, Oluwadunsin E. Adekola

Summary: This study investigates the moult patterns of White-capped/Shy Albatrosses and finds that the replacement of flight feathers varies among individuals and age groups. Adult birds tend to replace more primaries and secondaries during moult compared to immature birds. The sequence and number of feather replacement also differ between the outer and inner primary feathers. This research suggests that there are age-related and sex-related differences in moult intensity due to time constraints.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Avian species assemblages in African mangrove forests

W Richard J Dean, Suzanne Milton

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

High pathogenicity avian influenza (H5N1) in Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus): Global spread, clinical signs and demographic consequences

Jude V. Lane, Jana W. E. Jeglinski, Stephanie Avery-Gomm, Elmar Ballstaedt, Ashley C. Banyard, Tatsiana Barychka, Ian H. Brown, Brigitte Brugger, Tori V. Burt, Noah Careen, Johan H. F. Castenschiold, Signe Christensen-Dalsgaard, Shannon Clifford, Sydney M. Collins, Emma Cunningham, Johannis Danielsen, Francis Daunt, Kyle J. N. D'Entremont, Parker Doiron, Steven Duffy, Matthew D. English, Marco Falchieri, Jolene Giacinti, Britt Gjerset, Silje Granstad, David Gremillet, Magella Guillemette, Gunnar T. Hallgrimsson, Keith C. Hamer, Sjurdur Hammer, Katherine Harrison, Justin D. Hart, Ciaran Hatsell, Richard Humpidge, Joe James, Audrey Jenkinson, Mark Jessopp, Megan E. B. Jones, Stephane Lair, Thomas Lewis, Alexandra A. Malinowska, Aly McCluskie, Gretchen McPhail, Borge Moe, William A. Montevecchi, Greg Morgan, Caroline Nichol, Craig Nisbet, Bergur Olsen, Jennifer Provencher, Pascal Provost, Alex Purdie, Jean-Francois Rail, Greg Robertson, Yannick Seyer, Maggie Sheddan, Catherine Soos, Nia Stephens, Hallvard Strom, Vilhjalmur Svansson, T. David Tierney, Glen Tyler, Tom Wade, Sarah Wanless, Christopher R. E. Ward, Sabina I. Wilhelm, Saskia Wischnewski, Lucy J. Wright, Bernie Zonfrillo, Jason Matthiopoulos, Stephen C. Votier

Summary: During 2021 and 2022, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused significant deaths among wild birds, including Northern Gannets. This study analyzed HPAI outbreaks in North Atlantic Gannet colonies and found that the outbreaks had a profound impact on population size, breeding success, and adult survival. Serological investigation also revealed that some Gannets were able to recover from HPAI infection. It is important to understand the effects of HPAI infection in order to develop effective conservation strategies for threatened seabird populations.
Article Ornithology

Wintering Great White Egrets Ardea alba in a riverine area in the Netherlands: numbers, abundance and timing

Rob Lensink, Paul van Els

Summary: The riverine area in the Netherlands is an important wintering area for Great White Egrets. The abundance and timing of these birds during winter vary with temperature and prey availability.

BIRD STUDY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Habitat selection of breeding Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola in Scotland

Bozena Kalejta-Summers

Summary: Wood Sandpipers select breeding habitats with high water cover, bare ground, and Carex spp., but low obscurity of vegetation. This choice allows them to have sufficient concealment from predators while maintaining vigilance and accessing good feeding opportunities for themselves and their chicks.

BIRD STUDY (2023)

Article Ornithology

The impact of diet on sperm length in the long-tailed finch (Poephila acuticauda)

Kumkum Dubey, Callum S. Mcdiarmid, Simon C. Griffith

Summary: This study assessed the impact of experimentally manipulated diet on the sperm traits of long-tailed finches. The results showed that diet had no significant impact on sperm length, in contrast to a study on zebra finches. However, there was a slight increase in head, flagellum, and total sperm length during the treatment period. The dietary manipulation also affected bill color saturation and body mass in the long-tailed finches.

JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Metabarcoding reveals seasonal variations in the consumption of crops and weeds by wild Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Telmo Portugal-Baranda, Francois Mougeot, Manuel E. Ortiz-Santaliestra, Maria J. Madeira, Elena Fernandez-Vizcaino, Xabier Cabodevilla

Summary: The intensification of agriculture has had a significant impact on the Red-legged Partridge population in farmland landscapes. This study provides a detailed description of their plant diet, highlighting the variation in diet composition across seasons.

JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Avoidance of offshore wind farms by Sandwich Terns increases with turbine density

Rob S. A. van Bemmelen, Jacco J. Leemans, Mark P. Collier, Ros M. W. Green, Robert P. Middelveld, Chris B. Thaxter, Ruben C. Fijn

Summary: The expanding use of wind farms as a source of renewable energy can have a significant impact on bird populations, especially seabirds. This study focuses on the avoidance rates of Sandwich Terns around offshore wind farms in western Europe. The results show that the avoidance rate is relatively high, indicating potential risks of collision and habitat loss for this species due to the presence of offshore wind farms.

ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS (2023)

Article Ornithology

Twenty-three new bird species for Angola, including Mayombe National Park in Cabinda Province, and other noteworthy records

Michael S. L. Mills, Rogerio Ferreira, Pedro Vaz Pinto

Summary: The avifauna of Cabinda Province, Angola is poorly known. A recent study conducted four short field trips, recording 256 bird species, including 23 new species records for Angola. These findings highlight the importance of Mayombe National Park in contributing to the overall biodiversity of Angola.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Icelandic Whimbrel first migration: Non-stop until West Africa, yet later departure and slower travel than adults

Camilo Carneiro, Tomas G. Gunnarsson, Triin Kaasiku, Theunis Piersma, Jose A. Alves

Summary: The migratory behavior in young individuals is influenced by a wide range of factors, including molecular information and social learning. Comparing the migration patterns of adults and juveniles helps to understand the developmental factors that contribute to migration. The study shows that juvenile Icelandic Whimbrels migrate to West Africa, but with later departure, less direct paths, and more stops compared to adults, resulting in slower travel speeds.
Article Ornithology

Primary moult of adult Laughing Doves Spilopelia senegalensis: introduction of the relative duration index and a comparison of moult indices

Tanya Scott, Les G. Underhill, George D. Underhill

Summary: A new moult index, RDI, was developed and applied to the Laughing Dove. The study found that PFMG had the best fit for the Laughing Dove, but all three moult indices would provide satisfactory results. The estimated primary moult duration for the Laughing Dove was 215 days, with a lack of synchronisation in moult.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) brood parasitism occurrence and impact increases with decreasing forest cover

Exequiel Gonzalez, Adrian Jauregui, Luciano N. Segura

Summary: Cowbirds' brood parasitism has a negative effect on the breeding success of their hosts. This study focused on the Shiny Cowbird in native forests of Argentina, and found that the occurrence of brood parasitism was associated with environmental features at landscape and nest-site scales. The study also revealed that brood parasitism led to nest failure and lower breeding success for the Masked Gnatcatcher. Forest cover was negatively correlated with the occurrence of brood parasitism.

EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY (2023)

Article Ornithology

Variable choice affects estimations of vulnerability to climate change

Krista N. Oswald, Shannon R. Conradie

Summary: Assessments of species' vulnerability to rising temperatures often underestimate the risks when only measuring responses to a single ecological variable. A study on the Cape Rockjumper revealed that including multiple climate-related responses affected the predicted vulnerability to climate change and showed variability within the species' habitat. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple risks and implications for conservation strategies.
Article Ornithology

Primary moult of adult Laughing Doves Spilopelia senegalensis: introduction of the relative duration index and a comparison of moult indices

Tanya Scott, Les G. Underhill, George D. Underhill

Summary: A new moult index, the relative duration index (RDI), was developed to quantify the progress through moult in Laughing Doves. The study found that the proportion feather mass grown (PFMG) was the most suitable moult index for the Laughing Dove. The Laughing Doves had an estimated primary moult duration of 215 days, with a lack of synchronisation among adult doves. The RDI may be suitable for species that moult multiple feathers simultaneously and grow more slowly.

OSTRICH (2023)

Article Ornithology

Natal forest fragment size does not predict fledgling, pre-migration or apparent annual survival in Wood Thrushes

Sue M. Hayes, Brendan P. Boyd, Alexandra M. Israel, Bridget J. M. Stutchbury

Summary: This study reveals that Wood Thrush nestlings have lower survival in the first 16 days after fledging, but high survival during their exploration of the landscape prior to fall migration, and lower survival during their first migration and wintering season. The study highlights the importance of small forest fragments for the conservation of forest songbirds.

ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS (2023)