D. Nagy, Zsuzsanna Kurucz, P. Tóth, R. Raab, Attila Králl
Abstract A mature Great Bustard (Otis tarda) female tagged with a satellite transmitter in Dévaványa made four breeding attempts in 2019. A total of seven eggs were laid on the four occasions. None of the breeding attempts were successful, and the bird was killed by a predator, presumably a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), during the fourth breeding attempt. The four egg-laying attempts are a new experience in the reproductive biology of the species. The failure of the nestings and the death of the bird itself confirm that the conservation measures of the species, as emphasised in international and national conservation plans – controlling predators and egg predator populations, ensuring undisturbed breeding conditions – are important conservation biology actions serving for the protection of the species.
{"title":"Four nesting attempts of a Great Bustard Otis tarda female in one reproductive season","authors":"D. Nagy, Zsuzsanna Kurucz, P. Tóth, R. Raab, Attila Králl","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A mature Great Bustard (Otis tarda) female tagged with a satellite transmitter in Dévaványa made four breeding attempts in 2019. A total of seven eggs were laid on the four occasions. None of the breeding attempts were successful, and the bird was killed by a predator, presumably a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), during the fourth breeding attempt. The four egg-laying attempts are a new experience in the reproductive biology of the species. The failure of the nestings and the death of the bird itself confirm that the conservation measures of the species, as emphasised in international and national conservation plans – controlling predators and egg predator populations, ensuring undisturbed breeding conditions – are important conservation biology actions serving for the protection of the species.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"163 - 171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47708726","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}
Tibor Pecsics, Martin Segesdi, S. Faragó, G. Gorman, T. Csörgő
Abstract The woodpecker family (Picidae) includes numerous species that vary in size and plumage colouration, but which share many easily recognisable external features. These birds possess pronounced anatomical adaptions that enable them to exploit arboreal habitats and live in niches that are inaccessible to most other birds. The aim of this study was to increase our knowledge on the relationships between skull shape, habitat preference, pecking abilities and foraging habits of 10 European woodpecker species. A geometric morphometric approach was used to analyse two-dimensional cranial landmarks. We used principal component (PC) analyses on those measurements that may be related to habitat preference and foraging habits. The PCs resulted in descriptions of the relative length and width of the bill, variation in its relative size, orientation of the nostrils variation in the elongation of the neurocranium, the relative size and position of the palatine bone, length of the rostrum, and the thickness of the mandible bone. The analysis showed and confirmed the presence of some cranial elements that are strongly associated with habitat preference, pecking behaviour and excavation abilities.
{"title":"Diversity of cranial shape in European Woodpecker species (Picidae)","authors":"Tibor Pecsics, Martin Segesdi, S. Faragó, G. Gorman, T. Csörgő","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The woodpecker family (Picidae) includes numerous species that vary in size and plumage colouration, but which share many easily recognisable external features. These birds possess pronounced anatomical adaptions that enable them to exploit arboreal habitats and live in niches that are inaccessible to most other birds. The aim of this study was to increase our knowledge on the relationships between skull shape, habitat preference, pecking abilities and foraging habits of 10 European woodpecker species. A geometric morphometric approach was used to analyse two-dimensional cranial landmarks. We used principal component (PC) analyses on those measurements that may be related to habitat preference and foraging habits. The PCs resulted in descriptions of the relative length and width of the bill, variation in its relative size, orientation of the nostrils variation in the elongation of the neurocranium, the relative size and position of the palatine bone, length of the rostrum, and the thickness of the mandible bone. The analysis showed and confirmed the presence of some cranial elements that are strongly associated with habitat preference, pecking behaviour and excavation abilities.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"111 - 125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43149368","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 The Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis) has an extremely large distribution range in Africa and Asia, including the Middle East. The species primary live in deserts and semi-deserts, however its urban population is also increasing. In this paper, I reported the first record of the species for Lebanon. On 8th February 2022, I have seen an individual on the seaside coast near the harbor in Tripoli, North Lebanon. After I took photos of the bird, several ornithologist confirmed my correct identification. The nearest country where it was recorded before is Palestine.
{"title":"First record of Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis in Lebanon, 2022","authors":"M. Sawan","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis) has an extremely large distribution range in Africa and Asia, including the Middle East. The species primary live in deserts and semi-deserts, however its urban population is also increasing. In this paper, I reported the first record of the species for Lebanon. On 8th February 2022, I have seen an individual on the seaside coast near the harbor in Tripoli, North Lebanon. After I took photos of the bird, several ornithologist confirmed my correct identification. The nearest country where it was recorded before is Palestine.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"202 - 204"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43995432","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 Distribution and biology of birds of prey species have been well-documented in most parts of the globe. Knowledge gaps are continuously shrinking due to more research, new technologies and increasing possibilities to reach remote areas. However, there are still some regions where data on birds of prey are scarce due to various reasons. Some parts of West Africa are such places, mostly because civil wars and the outbreak of Ebola prevented any kind of research. In the period 2015–2017, a butterfly research project in Nimba Mountains, Liberia offered opportunity to collect data also on birds of prey species. This article aims to provide a comprehensive list of birds of prey species in the area and compare it to other available historic and recent lists. In the frame of the project, 20 species were recorded. The results of comparing historic and recent records show that species of dry open habitats appeared and even settled in Nimba Mountains’ predominantly rainforest habitat. That suggests a habitat shift likely due to both climate change and human land transformation activities.
{"title":"Observations of birds of prey in Eastern Nimba Nature Reserve, Liberia between 2015 and 2017","authors":"M. Prommer","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Distribution and biology of birds of prey species have been well-documented in most parts of the globe. Knowledge gaps are continuously shrinking due to more research, new technologies and increasing possibilities to reach remote areas. However, there are still some regions where data on birds of prey are scarce due to various reasons. Some parts of West Africa are such places, mostly because civil wars and the outbreak of Ebola prevented any kind of research. In the period 2015–2017, a butterfly research project in Nimba Mountains, Liberia offered opportunity to collect data also on birds of prey species. This article aims to provide a comprehensive list of birds of prey species in the area and compare it to other available historic and recent lists. In the frame of the project, 20 species were recorded. The results of comparing historic and recent records show that species of dry open habitats appeared and even settled in Nimba Mountains’ predominantly rainforest habitat. That suggests a habitat shift likely due to both climate change and human land transformation activities.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"172 - 196"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49270301","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}
Mattathil Jacob Alby, Cheruthottunkara Purushothaman Ashwin, Moolumkudy Suresh Arjun
Abstract Leucism is a colour anomaly defined by a lack of pigmentation, which may be partial or full in any individual. Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to a high incidence of plumage colour aberrations in wild birds, the true incidence of these aberrations in wild populations has been studied very less. The present report describes an instance of partial leucism in a Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) from Chhattisgarh, India. This colour aberration in this species was first documented in 1990. More research is needed to determine the exact reasons for the high incidence of partial leucism in wild birds, which might include nutrition, lifespan, behaviour, parasitism, or other environmental factors.
{"title":"A photographic record of partial leucism in Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) from Chhattisgarh, India","authors":"Mattathil Jacob Alby, Cheruthottunkara Purushothaman Ashwin, Moolumkudy Suresh Arjun","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Leucism is a colour anomaly defined by a lack of pigmentation, which may be partial or full in any individual. Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to a high incidence of plumage colour aberrations in wild birds, the true incidence of these aberrations in wild populations has been studied very less. The present report describes an instance of partial leucism in a Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) from Chhattisgarh, India. This colour aberration in this species was first documented in 1990. More research is needed to determine the exact reasons for the high incidence of partial leucism in wild birds, which might include nutrition, lifespan, behaviour, parasitism, or other environmental factors.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"197 - 201"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42166662","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 The Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus is a frequent, yet relatively little-known passerine bird found in wetlands across Eurasia. The species is difficult to study because of its elusive nature and the challenging access to its habitat: old, particularly dense reed patches standing in water. However, a detailed body of knowledge of the species’ natural history, morphology, and behaviour has been gathered over the years, providing insight into the adaptations this unusual bird uses to survive and even thrive under favourable conditions. In 2023, BirdLife Hungary named the Bearded Reedling as the ‘bird of the year’. In light of this notable designation, this article provides an overview of research advances on some of the unique characteristics of the Bearded Reedling, focusing on the factors that affect their population dynamics and potential conservation management strategies to protect the species.
{"title":"Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus): the biology of a remarkable bird – a review of the recent literature","authors":"Á. Lendvai","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus is a frequent, yet relatively little-known passerine bird found in wetlands across Eurasia. The species is difficult to study because of its elusive nature and the challenging access to its habitat: old, particularly dense reed patches standing in water. However, a detailed body of knowledge of the species’ natural history, morphology, and behaviour has been gathered over the years, providing insight into the adaptations this unusual bird uses to survive and even thrive under favourable conditions. In 2023, BirdLife Hungary named the Bearded Reedling as the ‘bird of the year’. In light of this notable designation, this article provides an overview of research advances on some of the unique characteristics of the Bearded Reedling, focusing on the factors that affect their population dynamics and potential conservation management strategies to protect the species.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"1 - 1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44877495","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}
D. Adhikari, J. Adhikari, J. Khatiwada, B. Bhattarai, S. Ghimire, D. Rijal
Abstract Wetlands support around 27% of birds in Nepal, however, there is a paucity of information about bird diversity and the wetland habitat of Western Chure Landscape Nepal. The “point count” method along transects was carried out to evaluate the species composition and habitat associations of birds. A total of 2,532 individuals representing 152 species (winter: N = 140 and summer: N = 91) from 19 orders and 51 families were reported from Jhilmila Lake and its surrounding area. The number of birds was reported to be significantly higher during winter than in the summer season. The species diversity was also higher in winter (Shannon’s index (H) = 4.38, Fisher’s alpha = 30.67) than in summer (H = 4.21, Fisher’s alpha = 34.69) as this area is surrounded by old-growth forest that provides available habitats for forest, grassland- and wetland-dwelling birds. This lake is an example of a wetland present in the Chure area that plays an important role in the conservation of biodiversity along with birds. Hence, we recommend its detailed study in terms of biodiversity and water quality.
{"title":"Species composition and habitat associations of birds around Jhilmila Lake at Western Chure Landscape, Nepal","authors":"D. Adhikari, J. Adhikari, J. Khatiwada, B. Bhattarai, S. Ghimire, D. Rijal","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Wetlands support around 27% of birds in Nepal, however, there is a paucity of information about bird diversity and the wetland habitat of Western Chure Landscape Nepal. The “point count” method along transects was carried out to evaluate the species composition and habitat associations of birds. A total of 2,532 individuals representing 152 species (winter: N = 140 and summer: N = 91) from 19 orders and 51 families were reported from Jhilmila Lake and its surrounding area. The number of birds was reported to be significantly higher during winter than in the summer season. The species diversity was also higher in winter (Shannon’s index (H) = 4.38, Fisher’s alpha = 30.67) than in summer (H = 4.21, Fisher’s alpha = 34.69) as this area is surrounded by old-growth forest that provides available habitats for forest, grassland- and wetland-dwelling birds. This lake is an example of a wetland present in the Chure area that plays an important role in the conservation of biodiversity along with birds. Hence, we recommend its detailed study in terms of biodiversity and water quality.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"24 - 47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47164647","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 The authors describe a fossil avian distal tibiotarsal epiphysis, remains of a cormorant (Phalacrociracinae), differing in age and morphological characters from other fossil cormorants. The fossil material comes from sandy marine deposits from the village of Máriahalom in north-western Hungary, together with the remains of 26 other vertebrate species, mostly marine. The age of the fossiliferous deposit is established in the Late Oligocene, at the beginning of the Chattian stage (MP25–30). The earliest fossil specimens of the subfamily Phalacrocoracinae are known from the Early-Middle Oligocene of North America and Northeast Africa, respectively. The rest of the known specimens are dated to the Late-Upper Oligocene and Lower Miocene. Thus, the fossil described here represents an intermediate age and it is less specialised in morphological characteristics. A new genus and species of cormorants, Praecarbo strigoniensisis described here based on the distal epiphysis of a fossil tibiotarsus.
{"title":"Praecarbo strigoniensis, a new genus and species of Cormorants (Phalacrocoracinae) from the Late Oligocene of Hungary","authors":"J. Kessler, Ida Horváth","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The authors describe a fossil avian distal tibiotarsal epiphysis, remains of a cormorant (Phalacrociracinae), differing in age and morphological characters from other fossil cormorants. The fossil material comes from sandy marine deposits from the village of Máriahalom in north-western Hungary, together with the remains of 26 other vertebrate species, mostly marine. The age of the fossiliferous deposit is established in the Late Oligocene, at the beginning of the Chattian stage (MP25–30). The earliest fossil specimens of the subfamily Phalacrocoracinae are known from the Early-Middle Oligocene of North America and Northeast Africa, respectively. The rest of the known specimens are dated to the Late-Upper Oligocene and Lower Miocene. Thus, the fossil described here represents an intermediate age and it is less specialised in morphological characteristics. A new genus and species of cormorants, Praecarbo strigoniensisis described here based on the distal epiphysis of a fossil tibiotarsus.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"126 - 132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48068936","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 spatial and temporal patterns of migration of Eurasian Woodcock (n=23,539 specimens) collected in Hungary during spring sampling (2010–2019) in the framework of the Woodcock Bag Monitoring. There were differences in the temporal course of the spring migration of the species between the western and eastern regions of Hungary. In the western Hungarian counties, migration started earlier in all cases, while in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county the main migration period – i.e. the period between the 25% and 75% cumulative sampling thresholds – started on average one week later than in Somogy county. We investigated the influence of weather factors on the spatial and temporal pattern of migration, in addition to geographical causes, based on the distribution of Péczely’s macrosynoptic situations recorded the week before and after the migration peak. In years free of weather extremes, the migration period was characterised by neutral (80.0%) macrosynoptic situations, with unfavourable (9.5%) and favourable (10.5%) conditions occurring less frequently. In the years with weather anomalies (2013, 2016, 2018), unfavourable macrosynoptic situations (81.3%) determined the spring migration characteristics. Weather anomalies (macrosynoptic conditions with gale-force winds and heavy snowfall) affected the timing of spring migration, but regional differences were observed in all years regardless of weather conditions, suggesting that spring migration of Woodcock is phase-delayed in the southern Transdanubian and north-eastern regions of Hungary.
{"title":"Variations in the spring migration of Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola L.) in Hungary","authors":"A. Bende, S. Faragó, Richárd László","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of migration of Eurasian Woodcock (n=23,539 specimens) collected in Hungary during spring sampling (2010–2019) in the framework of the Woodcock Bag Monitoring. There were differences in the temporal course of the spring migration of the species between the western and eastern regions of Hungary. In the western Hungarian counties, migration started earlier in all cases, while in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county the main migration period – i.e. the period between the 25% and 75% cumulative sampling thresholds – started on average one week later than in Somogy county. We investigated the influence of weather factors on the spatial and temporal pattern of migration, in addition to geographical causes, based on the distribution of Péczely’s macrosynoptic situations recorded the week before and after the migration peak. In years free of weather extremes, the migration period was characterised by neutral (80.0%) macrosynoptic situations, with unfavourable (9.5%) and favourable (10.5%) conditions occurring less frequently. In the years with weather anomalies (2013, 2016, 2018), unfavourable macrosynoptic situations (81.3%) determined the spring migration characteristics. Weather anomalies (macrosynoptic conditions with gale-force winds and heavy snowfall) affected the timing of spring migration, but regional differences were observed in all years regardless of weather conditions, suggesting that spring migration of Woodcock is phase-delayed in the southern Transdanubian and north-eastern regions of Hungary.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"12 5","pages":"133 - 146"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41272734","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 The Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) breeds with a scattered distribution on an extensive nesting area, ranging from India and Afghanistan in the East to the Iberian Peninsula in the West, including the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. A number of habitats are used for breeding, such as sand-spits and beaches along coasts and islands of land-locked seas, steppe lakes, but also brackish or freshwater lagoons near river deltas. Sea level rise dramatically affects coastal sites, thus being the greatest threat to the survival of many seabird species, including gulls. This note describes habitat selection, breeding success and causes of failure of Slender-billed Gulls during their colonisation of the northern Po Delta (NE Italy) during 2018–2022. Slender-billed Gulls colonised the northern Po Delta in 2018. Six colonies were found during the study period. Birds used both natural barrier islands and artificial dredge islands. Productivity in the first five years after the colonisation event was zero, mostly due to colony sites being flooded by high tides and storms. If Slender-billed Gulls will switch to nest in nearby fish farms, these could provide plenty of suitable breeding sites, safe from tidal flooding and with very low predation pressure, allowing sufficient productivity. At the moment, Slender-billed Gulls are unsuccessful in colonising the barrier islands of the Po Delta.
{"title":"Do the barrier islands of the Po Delta constitute an ecological trap for colonising Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei?","authors":"R. Valle, E. Verza, F. Scarton","doi":"10.2478/orhu-2023-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/orhu-2023-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) breeds with a scattered distribution on an extensive nesting area, ranging from India and Afghanistan in the East to the Iberian Peninsula in the West, including the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. A number of habitats are used for breeding, such as sand-spits and beaches along coasts and islands of land-locked seas, steppe lakes, but also brackish or freshwater lagoons near river deltas. Sea level rise dramatically affects coastal sites, thus being the greatest threat to the survival of many seabird species, including gulls. This note describes habitat selection, breeding success and causes of failure of Slender-billed Gulls during their colonisation of the northern Po Delta (NE Italy) during 2018–2022. Slender-billed Gulls colonised the northern Po Delta in 2018. Six colonies were found during the study period. Birds used both natural barrier islands and artificial dredge islands. Productivity in the first five years after the colonisation event was zero, mostly due to colony sites being flooded by high tides and storms. If Slender-billed Gulls will switch to nest in nearby fish farms, these could provide plenty of suitable breeding sites, safe from tidal flooding and with very low predation pressure, allowing sufficient productivity. At the moment, Slender-billed Gulls are unsuccessful in colonising the barrier islands of the Po Delta.","PeriodicalId":35966,"journal":{"name":"Ornis Hungarica","volume":"31 1","pages":"72 - 87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48859190","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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