Md Shahbaz, Ahbar Alam, M. M. Zafar, M. A. Sulaiman, Anupma Kumari, Gopal Sharma, Shahla Yasmin
Abstract We compared the bird diversity of a managed (Rajdhani Jalashay) and an unmanaged wetland (Mustafapur) in Patna, Bihar, India. We recorded bird species by using point counts and fixed-route monitoring. At Rajdhani Jalashay, a total of 73 species were recorded, of which 15 species were winter visitors. Two species were in the Near-threatened category: Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) and Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), while the others were of least concern. At Mustafapur wetland, 67 species were recorded with 11 species as winter visitors. Simpson’s species diversity index was 0.78 at Rajdhani Jalashay, and 0.81 at Mustafapur wetland. The number of species of waders was 17 at Mustafapur wetland and 11 at Rajdhani Jalashay. The total number of Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica), a resident bird was almost double (526) at Mustafapur wetland than that at Rajdhani Jalashay (234). The nitrate level was twice higher and the phosphate level was four times higher at Mustafapur wetland than those at Rajdhani Jalashay. The difference in species number and composition between the two wetlands may be attributed to the eutrophication resulting from high nitrate and phosphate levels at Mustafapur wetland. Unfortunately, the Mustafapur wetland is under threat due to human influences. The protection and sustainable management of natural wetlands is required for saving the biodiversity of the area.
{"title":"Comparison of avian diversity between managed and unmanaged wetlands in Patna, Bihar, India","authors":"Md Shahbaz, Ahbar Alam, M. M. Zafar, M. A. Sulaiman, Anupma Kumari, Gopal Sharma, Shahla Yasmin","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We compared the bird diversity of a managed (Rajdhani Jalashay) and an unmanaged wetland (Mustafapur) in Patna, Bihar, India. We recorded bird species by using point counts and fixed-route monitoring. At Rajdhani Jalashay, a total of 73 species were recorded, of which 15 species were winter visitors. Two species were in the Near-threatened category: Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) and Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), while the others were of least concern. At Mustafapur wetland, 67 species were recorded with 11 species as winter visitors. Simpson’s species diversity index was 0.78 at Rajdhani Jalashay, and 0.81 at Mustafapur wetland. The number of species of waders was 17 at Mustafapur wetland and 11 at Rajdhani Jalashay. The total number of Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica), a resident bird was almost double (526) at Mustafapur wetland than that at Rajdhani Jalashay (234). The nitrate level was twice higher and the phosphate level was four times higher at Mustafapur wetland than those at Rajdhani Jalashay. The difference in species number and composition between the two wetlands may be attributed to the eutrophication resulting from high nitrate and phosphate levels at Mustafapur wetland. Unfortunately, the Mustafapur wetland is under threat due to human influences. The protection and sustainable management of natural wetlands is required for saving the biodiversity of the area.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 3","pages":"13 - 28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138618547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Avian deformities have been recorded in a variety of bird species all over the world. However, they have not been studied in Nepal, although there are increasing sightings of these deformities. Injuries, genetic mutations, environmental factors, infections, radiation, and other factors can cause deformities. In our study, we collected data from numerous field trips, conversations with bird watchers and experts, and social media posts in Nepal. We reported 24 cases of avian deformities in 16 different bird species across 12 districts in Nepal, suggesting that certain abnormalities persist in a high proportion of previously unstudied birds. We discovered different types of color abnormalities (6 cases of leucism, 3 albinism, 4 partial leucism, 1 brown mutation, 1 melanism, and 3 unidentified color aberration), 5 cases of avian keratin disorder (AKD), and 1 case of both leucism and AKD. The majority of these cases affected corvids and other birds frequently living and nesting near human settlements, indicating that causative agents such as anthropogenic toxicants and environmental degradation could be important contributors. There is a scarcity of research on avian deformities and diseases in Nepal, thus more research on avian abnormalities, such as the pathophysiology of AKD and genetic studies, should be performed.
{"title":"Records of avian deformities in Nepal","authors":"Nikeet Pradhan, Mohan Bikram Shrestha","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0026","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Avian deformities have been recorded in a variety of bird species all over the world. However, they have not been studied in Nepal, although there are increasing sightings of these deformities. Injuries, genetic mutations, environmental factors, infections, radiation, and other factors can cause deformities. In our study, we collected data from numerous field trips, conversations with bird watchers and experts, and social media posts in Nepal. We reported 24 cases of avian deformities in 16 different bird species across 12 districts in Nepal, suggesting that certain abnormalities persist in a high proportion of previously unstudied birds. We discovered different types of color abnormalities (6 cases of leucism, 3 albinism, 4 partial leucism, 1 brown mutation, 1 melanism, and 3 unidentified color aberration), 5 cases of avian keratin disorder (AKD), and 1 case of both leucism and AKD. The majority of these cases affected corvids and other birds frequently living and nesting near human settlements, indicating that causative agents such as anthropogenic toxicants and environmental degradation could be important contributors. There is a scarcity of research on avian deformities and diseases in Nepal, thus more research on avian abnormalities, such as the pathophysiology of AKD and genetic studies, should be performed.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 7","pages":"151 - 164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138615089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Csilla Kiss, Z. Karcza, Katalin O. Lukács, Dániel Winkler, J. Gyurácz
Abstract This study aimed to monitor the demographic changes of some closely related species based on bird ringing data from the CES (Constant Effort Sites) program in Hungary between 2007 and 2018, and to explore the reasons for these demographic changes. The CES program tracks breeding bird populations with standard methods. The studied species breeding in Hungary were from genera Sylvia, Curruca, and Phylloscopus. Among these species, the trends of some forest birds, like Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca), Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and Willow Warbler (Ph. trochilus) showed no substantial changes, and one of the open-habitat species, the Barred Warbler (Curruca nisoria) – a long distant migrant – showed decreasing trends. The Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) – a trans-Saharan migrant but forest dweller – also experienced population declines. Short-distance migrants maintained stable populations. Common Whitethroat productivity displayed an increasing trend to compensate for population decline. Upon examining the Eurasian Blackcap, this study detected a strong relationship between the number of adult birds, productivity, and the number of adults captured the following year.
{"title":"Population trend and breeding productivity of some migrant passerines in Hungary","authors":"Csilla Kiss, Z. Karcza, Katalin O. Lukács, Dániel Winkler, J. Gyurácz","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study aimed to monitor the demographic changes of some closely related species based on bird ringing data from the CES (Constant Effort Sites) program in Hungary between 2007 and 2018, and to explore the reasons for these demographic changes. The CES program tracks breeding bird populations with standard methods. The studied species breeding in Hungary were from genera Sylvia, Curruca, and Phylloscopus. Among these species, the trends of some forest birds, like Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca), Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and Willow Warbler (Ph. trochilus) showed no substantial changes, and one of the open-habitat species, the Barred Warbler (Curruca nisoria) – a long distant migrant – showed decreasing trends. The Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) – a trans-Saharan migrant but forest dweller – also experienced population declines. Short-distance migrants maintained stable populations. Common Whitethroat productivity displayed an increasing trend to compensate for population decline. Upon examining the Eurasian Blackcap, this study detected a strong relationship between the number of adult birds, productivity, and the number of adults captured the following year.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 1","pages":"74 - 88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138615423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract In this study, during 2017–2018, for the first time in Kosovo, research on the census, distribution and population dynamics of the White Stork was made. 61 new nests were found in the whole country territory and together with 22 known nests, the total population is recorded to 83 nests and 72 breeding pairs. In total, 461 chicks were raised in the successful nests. Breeding success for the country territory during the observation period of all breeding pairs was 3.18, and 3.19 of all breeding pairs that raised chicks. The mean breeding density for the entire country was 0.67 breeding pairs/100 km2 in 2017 and 0.70 in 2018. For the potential feeding habitats, it was 2.19 (2017) and 2.28 (2018). The densest area, the river basin of Lepenci held 2.48 pairs for 100 km2. 48.61% of all recorded White Stork nests were located on various poles.
{"title":"Census and spatial distribution of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) population in Kosovo in 2017 and 2018","authors":"Qenan Maxhuni, Ahmet Karataş, Wolfgang Fiedler","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this study, during 2017–2018, for the first time in Kosovo, research on the census, distribution and population dynamics of the White Stork was made. 61 new nests were found in the whole country territory and together with 22 known nests, the total population is recorded to 83 nests and 72 breeding pairs. In total, 461 chicks were raised in the successful nests. Breeding success for the country territory during the observation period of all breeding pairs was 3.18, and 3.19 of all breeding pairs that raised chicks. The mean breeding density for the entire country was 0.67 breeding pairs/100 km2 in 2017 and 0.70 in 2018. For the potential feeding habitats, it was 2.19 (2017) and 2.28 (2018). The densest area, the river basin of Lepenci held 2.48 pairs for 100 km2. 48.61% of all recorded White Stork nests were located on various poles.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 46","pages":"29 - 48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138617568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Ectoparasite fauna of Falco vespertinus breeding colonies was investigated in a system of artificial nests in the Po valley (Parma province), Italy, during four subsequent breeding seasons (2019–2022). Conservation actions regarding Falco vespertinus led to a great increase in its presence in the area. This rise was believed to coincide with an increase in the prevalence of hematophagous ectoparasites breeding in the nests, with a potential negative impact on the attractiveness of the breeding site. Ectoparasites collected from the nestlings’ bodies almost entirely belonged to a single species, Diptera Carnus hemapterus, with a quite variable prevalence in different years. Maximum ectoparasite load was consistently linked to younger than two weeks old chicks. Carnus hemapterus may pose a threat to less resilient specimens of Falco vespertinus because it feeds on live tissues, increases metabolic expenditure, and can introduce blood parasites. Nonetheless, this species is part of the ecosystem shared with the falcon and might have a conservational value itself. We propose that higher occurrence of this ectoparasite might be linked to diet parameters, especially the availability of small mammals and the lingering of prey remnants in the nests, as well as to the age of the parasitized nestlings. These findings might have important implications for the conservation of this rare Falco species.
{"title":"Ectoparasitic aspects in Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus breeding colonies in the Po valley (Italy)","authors":"Devon Cevenini, Marco Gustin, Dino Scaravelli","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0025","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Ectoparasite fauna of Falco vespertinus breeding colonies was investigated in a system of artificial nests in the Po valley (Parma province), Italy, during four subsequent breeding seasons (2019–2022). Conservation actions regarding Falco vespertinus led to a great increase in its presence in the area. This rise was believed to coincide with an increase in the prevalence of hematophagous ectoparasites breeding in the nests, with a potential negative impact on the attractiveness of the breeding site. Ectoparasites collected from the nestlings’ bodies almost entirely belonged to a single species, Diptera Carnus hemapterus, with a quite variable prevalence in different years. Maximum ectoparasite load was consistently linked to younger than two weeks old chicks. Carnus hemapterus may pose a threat to less resilient specimens of Falco vespertinus because it feeds on live tissues, increases metabolic expenditure, and can introduce blood parasites. Nonetheless, this species is part of the ecosystem shared with the falcon and might have a conservational value itself. We propose that higher occurrence of this ectoparasite might be linked to diet parameters, especially the availability of small mammals and the lingering of prey remnants in the nests, as well as to the age of the parasitized nestlings. These findings might have important implications for the conservation of this rare Falco species.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 8","pages":"138 - 150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138619883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Zúñiga, Jaime R. Rau, R. Sandoval, Víctor Fuenzalida
Abstract The diet of Rufous-legged Owl, Strix rufipes, a small raptor present in an Andean protected area, is described here. During the fall of 2017, 44 pellets were collected in the study area, being subsequently analyzed. The occurrence of small mammal prey items in pellets was compared with capture frequencies with live-trapping through Sherman traps. Regarding occurrence frequencies in the diet, arthropods were the most frequent (49.34%), followed by mammals (39.31%), birds (7.86%) and reptiles (3.37%). However, in terms of biomass, mammals had the highest biomass contribution. The observed frequency of consumed preys showed a random pattern, according to the captures of small mammals obtained with Sherman traps. The role of wildfire in the composition of prey in the observed trophic spectrum of these forest owls is also discussed.
{"title":"Food habits of Rufous-legged Owl in a protected area of south-central Chile affected by mixed wildfire","authors":"A. Zúñiga, Jaime R. Rau, R. Sandoval, Víctor Fuenzalida","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0033","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The diet of Rufous-legged Owl, Strix rufipes, a small raptor present in an Andean protected area, is described here. During the fall of 2017, 44 pellets were collected in the study area, being subsequently analyzed. The occurrence of small mammal prey items in pellets was compared with capture frequencies with live-trapping through Sherman traps. Regarding occurrence frequencies in the diet, arthropods were the most frequent (49.34%), followed by mammals (39.31%), birds (7.86%) and reptiles (3.37%). However, in terms of biomass, mammals had the highest biomass contribution. The observed frequency of consumed preys showed a random pattern, according to the captures of small mammals obtained with Sherman traps. The role of wildfire in the composition of prey in the observed trophic spectrum of these forest owls is also discussed.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"8 11","pages":"236 - 242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138623989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract We investigated the species diversity of diurnal raptors along the selected linear infrastructure projects in northern Chhattisgarh, India, between December 2020 and September 2022. The study identified a total of 14 raptor species, consisting of 11 species in Accipitridae, two in Falconidae, and one in Pandionidae families. Two species were under threatened category of the IUCN red list, the Vulnerable Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata) and the Near Threatened Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus). Linear infrastructure development, such as roads, railways, pipelines, canals, and power lines, is expanding rapidly, causing the degradation and fragmentation of habitats, and leading to the loss of biodiversity. Unfortunately, the impacts of linear infrastructure on bird populations in India have not been adequately studied, resulting in limited understanding and few measures to mitigate these impacts. This study specifically focuses on the status of raptors along selected linear infrastructure intrusions and provides baseline information that can help in understanding their conservation needs. The findings of this study underline the necessity of implementing appropriate measures to mitigate the negative effects of linear infrastructure development in India.
{"title":"Raptors and linear infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, India: species composition and conservation concern","authors":"Cheruthottunkara Purushothaman Ashwin, Mattathil Jacob Alby, Moolamkudy Suresh Arjun, Padijareveedu Ramachandran Arun, Vijayakumar Sreelathadevi Nandu","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We investigated the species diversity of diurnal raptors along the selected linear infrastructure projects in northern Chhattisgarh, India, between December 2020 and September 2022. The study identified a total of 14 raptor species, consisting of 11 species in Accipitridae, two in Falconidae, and one in Pandionidae families. Two species were under threatened category of the IUCN red list, the Vulnerable Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata) and the Near Threatened Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus). Linear infrastructure development, such as roads, railways, pipelines, canals, and power lines, is expanding rapidly, causing the degradation and fragmentation of habitats, and leading to the loss of biodiversity. Unfortunately, the impacts of linear infrastructure on bird populations in India have not been adequately studied, resulting in limited understanding and few measures to mitigate these impacts. This study specifically focuses on the status of raptors along selected linear infrastructure intrusions and provides baseline information that can help in understanding their conservation needs. The findings of this study underline the necessity of implementing appropriate measures to mitigate the negative effects of linear infrastructure development in India.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 20","pages":"1 - 12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138612830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract We recorded vocal interaction in the natural environment of an Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) with canines Gray Wolves (Canis lupus), Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Vocalization was recorded using Olympus digital voice recorders. The calls of the male Eurasian Eagle-Owl were recorded by us in the frequency range of 200–420 Hz. The howl of a Gray Wolf was recorded in the frequency range from 300 to 1,100 Hz. Red Fox barking was recorded in the frequency range from 750 to 1,000 Hz. Barking of domestic dogs was recorded in the frequency range from 250 to 1,500 Hz. The vocalization of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl had an independent character inherent in the biology of the species. The Eurasian Eagle-Owl, with its cries, involuntarily provoked the entry of canines into joint vocal interaction, which can be explained by the high social activity of the latter. Co-vocalizations of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl and canines were noted in winter, spring and autumn, but mainly in spring (50%). The increased use of autonomous voice recorders, which record spontaneous vocalizations emitted by animals over long periods, will allow us to better document and study the importance of such interspecific interactions.
{"title":"Vocal interaction between Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) and canines (Carnivora, Canidae)","authors":"Alexey Andreychev","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We recorded vocal interaction in the natural environment of an Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) with canines Gray Wolves (Canis lupus), Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Vocalization was recorded using Olympus digital voice recorders. The calls of the male Eurasian Eagle-Owl were recorded by us in the frequency range of 200–420 Hz. The howl of a Gray Wolf was recorded in the frequency range from 300 to 1,100 Hz. Red Fox barking was recorded in the frequency range from 750 to 1,000 Hz. Barking of domestic dogs was recorded in the frequency range from 250 to 1,500 Hz. The vocalization of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl had an independent character inherent in the biology of the species. The Eurasian Eagle-Owl, with its cries, involuntarily provoked the entry of canines into joint vocal interaction, which can be explained by the high social activity of the latter. Co-vocalizations of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl and canines were noted in winter, spring and autumn, but mainly in spring (50%). The increased use of autonomous voice recorders, which record spontaneous vocalizations emitted by animals over long periods, will allow us to better document and study the importance of such interspecific interactions.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":" 94","pages":"61 - 73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138613555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Western Barn Owls hunt primarily small mammals in open areas, but they also hunt in urban, forest and wetland habitats. The landscape structure of their hunting range, therefore, affects the composition of their prey, knowledge of which can be a good starting point for estimating the size of their hunting range. Our goal was to estimate whether owls catch most of their prey within a circle with radius of 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 5 kilometres. In this study, we used five pellet samples of different size, collected between 2015 and 2019 from a settlement near the Drava River (Péterhida, Hungary). Our results showed that the annual distribution, diversity, and evenness of small mammal species detected from the samples was similar regardless of the sample size. The distribution of small mammal functional groups preferring urban, open, forest and wetland habitats was also similar. For this reason, the pellet samples were merged. Our results suggest that Western Barn Owls catch a significant part of their prey within a circle of 2-kilometre radius around its breeding or roosting site in the landscape, which consists of patches of habitat with a mosaic distribution. In a hunting range of this size, the proportion of small mammal functional groups preferring different habitats obtained from the pellets overlapped with the proportion of their preferred habitats.
{"title":"What is the size of the Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) hunting range in a mosaic landscape?","authors":"D. Szép, J. Purger","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0029","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Western Barn Owls hunt primarily small mammals in open areas, but they also hunt in urban, forest and wetland habitats. The landscape structure of their hunting range, therefore, affects the composition of their prey, knowledge of which can be a good starting point for estimating the size of their hunting range. Our goal was to estimate whether owls catch most of their prey within a circle with radius of 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 5 kilometres. In this study, we used five pellet samples of different size, collected between 2015 and 2019 from a settlement near the Drava River (Péterhida, Hungary). Our results showed that the annual distribution, diversity, and evenness of small mammal species detected from the samples was similar regardless of the sample size. The distribution of small mammal functional groups preferring urban, open, forest and wetland habitats was also similar. For this reason, the pellet samples were merged. Our results suggest that Western Barn Owls catch a significant part of their prey within a circle of 2-kilometre radius around its breeding or roosting site in the landscape, which consists of patches of habitat with a mosaic distribution. In a hunting range of this size, the proportion of small mammal functional groups preferring different habitats obtained from the pellets overlapped with the proportion of their preferred habitats.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"227 2","pages":"192 - 202"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138621269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract In the present study, I summarized the data on Common Crane (Grus grus) nesting published in the Hungarian ornithological literature from the mid-19th century to the present day. Based on these data, it can be observed that the crane was never a frequent nesting species in Hungary. It probably nested regularly until the early 19th century, then occasionally until the 1910s, after which, apart from two occasional reports, no nesting data were available until 2015. From this year onwards, it started nesting again in the Transdanubian region. In the examined period, 55.6% of the nests (n=25) originated from the Transdanubian region, 37.0% from the Tiszántúl region, and 7.4% from the Duna-Tisza area. The observations recorded during the nesting period showed a strong correlation with the spatial distribution of confirmed nests. 82.6% of the observations recorded (n=23) were from the Transdanubian region, 13.0% from the Tiszántúl region, and 4.3% from the Duna-Tisza region. The distribution of nesting data between regions varies not only spatially but also temporally. The nesting data from the Duna-Tisza area and Tiszántúl region date back to the 19th century, with the exception of one report, while the most recent nesting data are from the Transdanubian region (Vas and Veszprém counties).
{"title":"Breeding of the Common Crane (Grus grus L.) in Hungary since the 19th century to modern times","authors":"Attila Bende","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In the present study, I summarized the data on Common Crane (Grus grus) nesting published in the Hungarian ornithological literature from the mid-19th century to the present day. Based on these data, it can be observed that the crane was never a frequent nesting species in Hungary. It probably nested regularly until the early 19th century, then occasionally until the 1910s, after which, apart from two occasional reports, no nesting data were available until 2015. From this year onwards, it started nesting again in the Transdanubian region. In the examined period, 55.6% of the nests (n=25) originated from the Transdanubian region, 37.0% from the Tiszántúl region, and 7.4% from the Duna-Tisza area. The observations recorded during the nesting period showed a strong correlation with the spatial distribution of confirmed nests. 82.6% of the observations recorded (n=23) were from the Transdanubian region, 13.0% from the Tiszántúl region, and 4.3% from the Duna-Tisza region. The distribution of nesting data between regions varies not only spatially but also temporally. The nesting data from the Duna-Tisza area and Tiszántúl region date back to the 19th century, with the exception of one report, while the most recent nesting data are from the Transdanubian region (Vas and Veszprém counties).","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"45 10","pages":"99 - 109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138626561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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