Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.006
C. Mitrus
Abstract. Predation is one of the most important factors influencing breeding success. Many bird species suffer from high losses because of predators. I studied breeding success and replacement broods in the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva. The Red-breasted Flycatcher is a small bird breeding in natural holes in dense deciduous and mixed forests of Europe. Data were collected during twelve breeding seasons in a primeval forest, in the Bialowieża National Park, Northeast Poland, the best preserved and protected area of the Białowieża Forest with a rich community of birds and mammals including predators. Almost half of the broods of the Red-breasted Flycatcher were lost and most of them because of predation. In cases where the brood was lost in the period of egg laying or incubation, females tended to lay a replacement clutch. First and replacement nest-sites differed insignificantly in characteristics, but new clutches were always laid in a new site. Out of 68 broods, in which a loss was found, replacement broods were recorded in 47.1% cases. Replacement clutches were much smaller and pairs raised significantly fewer fledglings. The proportions of successful and lost broods were similar in the first and replacement attempts (56.1%, and 46.7%, respectively). Red-breasted Flycatchers choose shallow nest-sites that allow the females to observe their surroundings. This allows the female to escape from the nest when a predator approaches, increasing the possibility of a repeat clutch and the attainment of breeding success in the same season.
{"title":"Replacement Broods in a Cavity Nesting Bird Species under High Predation Pressure in Primeval Forest","authors":"C. Mitrus","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Predation is one of the most important factors influencing breeding success. Many bird species suffer from high losses because of predators. I studied breeding success and replacement broods in the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva. The Red-breasted Flycatcher is a small bird breeding in natural holes in dense deciduous and mixed forests of Europe. Data were collected during twelve breeding seasons in a primeval forest, in the Bialowieża National Park, Northeast Poland, the best preserved and protected area of the Białowieża Forest with a rich community of birds and mammals including predators. Almost half of the broods of the Red-breasted Flycatcher were lost and most of them because of predation. In cases where the brood was lost in the period of egg laying or incubation, females tended to lay a replacement clutch. First and replacement nest-sites differed insignificantly in characteristics, but new clutches were always laid in a new site. Out of 68 broods, in which a loss was found, replacement broods were recorded in 47.1% cases. Replacement clutches were much smaller and pairs raised significantly fewer fledglings. The proportions of successful and lost broods were similar in the first and replacement attempts (56.1%, and 46.7%, respectively). Red-breasted Flycatchers choose shallow nest-sites that allow the females to observe their surroundings. This allows the female to escape from the nest when a predator approaches, increasing the possibility of a repeat clutch and the attainment of breeding success in the same season.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"101 - 106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48785490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.004
R. Fuller
Abstract. Long-term breeding bird censuses in Białowieża National Park (BNP), north-east Poland, have revealed rather low densities of birds and high community stability which may be features of near-natural forest conditions. This paper reports on a long-term census of breeding birds in 50 ha of oak woodland in central England which contained both managed and undisturbed areas. New information is provided on breeding bird density and its spatial variation within English mature broadleaved woodland to address two questions: Under what circumstances are English woods likely to support higher densities than those occurring in BNP? Is there evidence that population and community stability is lower in English woodland? The overall bird density was lower than in the BNP oak-hornbeam stands, at the scale of both the whole study area and the undisturbed stands. Densities of three of the five dominant species (Cyanistes caeruleus, Parus major, Troglodytes troglodytes) were lower in BNP, Fringilla coelebs was higher, while Erithacus rubecula was similar. Within the undisturbed stands, densities of seven of 12 species, including T. troglodytes, were similar to those in BNP, two were considerably higher (C. caeruleus, P. major) and one much lower (F. coelebs). Selection of the external woodland edge by several species resulted in relatively high overall densities in the edge zone. The broad composition of the bird community remained fairly stable with the exception of declines in tropical migrants and increases in shrub layer nesters. Temporal abundance patterns of species showed much individuality. Trends of several species appeared to be driven by changes in habitat structure. However, the same species remained numerically dominant or characteristic of the wood throughout the study period. This suggests there was a core of resilient species, much as proposed for BNP. Although caution is needed in drawing conclusions from a single site, with the exception of a small number of species, in recent decades there is unlikely to have been a general pattern of higher densities of birds in English woodland than in BNP. However, some English woods with highly complex vegetation structures, or a high proportion of edge habitat, do have exceptionally high densities (> 100 territories/10 ha).
{"title":"Population Density and Stability of Breeding Birds in English Oak Woodland Over a 32-Year Period in Relation to Habitat Structure and Edges","authors":"R. Fuller","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Long-term breeding bird censuses in Białowieża National Park (BNP), north-east Poland, have revealed rather low densities of birds and high community stability which may be features of near-natural forest conditions. This paper reports on a long-term census of breeding birds in 50 ha of oak woodland in central England which contained both managed and undisturbed areas. New information is provided on breeding bird density and its spatial variation within English mature broadleaved woodland to address two questions: Under what circumstances are English woods likely to support higher densities than those occurring in BNP? Is there evidence that population and community stability is lower in English woodland? The overall bird density was lower than in the BNP oak-hornbeam stands, at the scale of both the whole study area and the undisturbed stands. Densities of three of the five dominant species (Cyanistes caeruleus, Parus major, Troglodytes troglodytes) were lower in BNP, Fringilla coelebs was higher, while Erithacus rubecula was similar. Within the undisturbed stands, densities of seven of 12 species, including T. troglodytes, were similar to those in BNP, two were considerably higher (C. caeruleus, P. major) and one much lower (F. coelebs). Selection of the external woodland edge by several species resulted in relatively high overall densities in the edge zone. The broad composition of the bird community remained fairly stable with the exception of declines in tropical migrants and increases in shrub layer nesters. Temporal abundance patterns of species showed much individuality. Trends of several species appeared to be driven by changes in habitat structure. However, the same species remained numerically dominant or characteristic of the wood throughout the study period. This suggests there was a core of resilient species, much as proposed for BNP. Although caution is needed in drawing conclusions from a single site, with the exception of a small number of species, in recent decades there is unlikely to have been a general pattern of higher densities of birds in English woodland than in BNP. However, some English woods with highly complex vegetation structures, or a high proportion of edge habitat, do have exceptionally high densities (> 100 territories/10 ha).","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"49 - 70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44256430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.007
R. Broughton, O. Karpińska, K. Kamionka-Kanclerska, M. Maziarz
Abstract. Tree cavities are an essential resource for cavity-dwelling mammals, birds, invertebrates and fungi, and so are important for maintaining forest biodiversity. In North American forests, woodpeckers (Picidae) play a keystone role in cavity creation by excavating holes. However, in European forests many hole-nesting songbirds rely on non-excavated cavities that are formed by fungal decay and compartmentalization after tree damage. Several factors are recognised in initiating non-excavated cavities that are used by hole-nesting birds, including loss of a tree branch or stem breakage, but this topic is poorly studied. Here, we propose that bark stripping by large herbivores (e.g. Red Deer Cervus elaphus and European Bison Bison bonasus) could be another important, and previously overlooked, mechanism for initiating tree cavities that are used by hole-nesting birds. We suggest that, after the initial damage from herbivore bark-stripping, fungal decay can create specific elongated, slit-like cavities, which are particularly important as nest sites for some common forest songbirds. We outline this idea using original observations and evidence from the literature, primarily from the primeval forest in Poland's Białowieża National Park. We also use studies from elsewhere in Europe to show a generally low usage of slit cavities by birds where large herbivores are scarce or absent. We suggest that restoring such animals in European forests could help to restore the abundance and diversity of the tree cavity resource for hole-dwelling species. We encourage future research to investigate this proposal of large herbivores being important agents of tree cavity formation that could enhance biodiversity.
{"title":"Do Large Herbivores Have an Important Role in Initiating Tree Cavities Used by Hole-Nesting Birds in European Forests?","authors":"R. Broughton, O. Karpińska, K. Kamionka-Kanclerska, M. Maziarz","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Tree cavities are an essential resource for cavity-dwelling mammals, birds, invertebrates and fungi, and so are important for maintaining forest biodiversity. In North American forests, woodpeckers (Picidae) play a keystone role in cavity creation by excavating holes. However, in European forests many hole-nesting songbirds rely on non-excavated cavities that are formed by fungal decay and compartmentalization after tree damage. Several factors are recognised in initiating non-excavated cavities that are used by hole-nesting birds, including loss of a tree branch or stem breakage, but this topic is poorly studied. Here, we propose that bark stripping by large herbivores (e.g. Red Deer Cervus elaphus and European Bison Bison bonasus) could be another important, and previously overlooked, mechanism for initiating tree cavities that are used by hole-nesting birds. We suggest that, after the initial damage from herbivore bark-stripping, fungal decay can create specific elongated, slit-like cavities, which are particularly important as nest sites for some common forest songbirds. We outline this idea using original observations and evidence from the literature, primarily from the primeval forest in Poland's Białowieża National Park. We also use studies from elsewhere in Europe to show a generally low usage of slit cavities by birds where large herbivores are scarce or absent. We suggest that restoring such animals in European forests could help to restore the abundance and diversity of the tree cavity resource for hole-dwelling species. We encourage future research to investigate this proposal of large herbivores being important agents of tree cavity formation that could enhance biodiversity.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"107 - 121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47932222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.001
{"title":"BIAŁOWIEŻA FOREST BIRD SURVEYS: THE END OF AN ERA","authors":"","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"1 - 18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45351892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.005
T. Wesol̸owski, D. Czeszczewik, G. Hebda, M. Maziarz, C. Mitrus, P. Rowiński, G. Neubauer
Abstract. This paper reports the long-term numerical trends of the thirty common forest bird species and explores changes in the community composition in the three main types of old-growth stands in the Białowieża National Park (E Poland, hereafter BNP) over 45 years (1975–2019). We present recent (2015–2019) data on abundance of birds for the seven study plots and pool them with the time series collected since 1975. The numbers of individual bird species strongly fluctuated, with most of the species showing alternating phases (the initial periods of population growth followed by the periods of population decline or stability). The numbers of 19 species increased; maximum growths by c. 3–5% per year included Columba palumbus, Dendrocopos major, Sylvia atricapilla and Regulus ignicapilla. Among a few declining species, Ficedula hypoleuca, Phylloscopus sibilatrix and F. parva experienced the strongest declines, respectively by 4.0%, 2.7% and 2.2% per year. Mostly the same species bred in the plots in the 1970s and in recent years, indicating a stable species pool. The total abundance peaked around 2005, declining thereafter in deciduous stands, but increasing further (along with the species richness) in the coniferous stands. The similarity index between the study plots (beta-diversity) changed little over 45 years; ash-alder and lime-hornbeam stands remained most similar, while coniferous forests stood more apart. The changes found in the old-growth stands of BNP (mostly coniferous fragments) could be partly explained by natural modification of the habitat structure and the processes acting in the large geographical scales, within or outside of the breeding grounds. The long-term studies such as the one in the BNP reported here, provide a basis for the rates of natural turnover in the bird communities in pristine habitats, directly unaffected by human impact.
{"title":"Long-Term Changes in Breeding Bird Community of a Primeval Temperate Forest: 45 years of Censuses in the Białowieża National Park (Poland)","authors":"T. Wesol̸owski, D. Czeszczewik, G. Hebda, M. Maziarz, C. Mitrus, P. Rowiński, G. Neubauer","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. This paper reports the long-term numerical trends of the thirty common forest bird species and explores changes in the community composition in the three main types of old-growth stands in the Białowieża National Park (E Poland, hereafter BNP) over 45 years (1975–2019). We present recent (2015–2019) data on abundance of birds for the seven study plots and pool them with the time series collected since 1975. The numbers of individual bird species strongly fluctuated, with most of the species showing alternating phases (the initial periods of population growth followed by the periods of population decline or stability). The numbers of 19 species increased; maximum growths by c. 3–5% per year included Columba palumbus, Dendrocopos major, Sylvia atricapilla and Regulus ignicapilla. Among a few declining species, Ficedula hypoleuca, Phylloscopus sibilatrix and F. parva experienced the strongest declines, respectively by 4.0%, 2.7% and 2.2% per year. Mostly the same species bred in the plots in the 1970s and in recent years, indicating a stable species pool. The total abundance peaked around 2005, declining thereafter in deciduous stands, but increasing further (along with the species richness) in the coniferous stands. The similarity index between the study plots (beta-diversity) changed little over 45 years; ash-alder and lime-hornbeam stands remained most similar, while coniferous forests stood more apart. The changes found in the old-growth stands of BNP (mostly coniferous fragments) could be partly explained by natural modification of the habitat structure and the processes acting in the large geographical scales, within or outside of the breeding grounds. The long-term studies such as the one in the BNP reported here, provide a basis for the rates of natural turnover in the bird communities in pristine habitats, directly unaffected by human impact.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"71 - 100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41422019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.003
A. Lõhmus
Abstract. This paper synthesizes all available quantitative information on total breeding densities of Estonian forest bird assemblages, as estimated in territory mapping studies since the 1950s. There have been two approaches, one based on multiple visits (typically 7–8), and the other of reduced effort, developed for long-term monitoring. Compared to these mapping methods, line (strip) transects give ca. 30% lower estimates; they also vary widely. After quality checking, a total of 90 mapping estimates were extracted. The estimates were then integrated into ‘typical densities’ by habitat types, after critically assessing data quality and bias. ‘Typical density’ is conceptualized as a range of common density values in actual topographic, soil, forest-age and landscape conditions, under minor recent thinning influence. It also considers 15–20% underestimation of the territory mapping, which was demonstrated using a case study on post-breeding nest searching of three thrush (Turdus spp.) species. The Estonian forest bird densities show monotonous increases along the stand age, following three alternative shapes related to site productivity: a major increase within 100 years in the most productive forests, a delayed increase (also post 100 years) in pine forests of medium productivity, and slow and slight increases at low-productivity sites. Such density estimates can serve as a basis to analyse deviations in particular conditions and be integrated into land-use scenario-modelling tools across landscapes. It is important to keep the territory mapping approaches to bird census in active use and development, since several issues in conservation and ecosystem functioning cannot be addressed by relative assessments.
{"title":"Absolute Densities of Breeding Birds in Estonian Forests: A Synthesis","authors":"A. Lõhmus","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. This paper synthesizes all available quantitative information on total breeding densities of Estonian forest bird assemblages, as estimated in territory mapping studies since the 1950s. There have been two approaches, one based on multiple visits (typically 7–8), and the other of reduced effort, developed for long-term monitoring. Compared to these mapping methods, line (strip) transects give ca. 30% lower estimates; they also vary widely. After quality checking, a total of 90 mapping estimates were extracted. The estimates were then integrated into ‘typical densities’ by habitat types, after critically assessing data quality and bias. ‘Typical density’ is conceptualized as a range of common density values in actual topographic, soil, forest-age and landscape conditions, under minor recent thinning influence. It also considers 15–20% underestimation of the territory mapping, which was demonstrated using a case study on post-breeding nest searching of three thrush (Turdus spp.) species. The Estonian forest bird densities show monotonous increases along the stand age, following three alternative shapes related to site productivity: a major increase within 100 years in the most productive forests, a delayed increase (also post 100 years) in pine forests of medium productivity, and slow and slight increases at low-productivity sites. Such density estimates can serve as a basis to analyse deviations in particular conditions and be integrated into land-use scenario-modelling tools across landscapes. It is important to keep the territory mapping approaches to bird census in active use and development, since several issues in conservation and ecosystem functioning cannot be addressed by relative assessments.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"29 - 47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43233867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-06DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.002
J. Blondel
Abstract. The last remnants of pristine forests in Europe, especially in the nemoral belt of deciduous and mixed deciduous coniferous trees, are unique for understanding the history, composition and structure of plant and animal communities. This is especially true for the Białowieża forest, NE Poland. The biogeographical history of emblematic forest clades of birds, e.g. woodpeckers, tits and nuthatches, is analyzed from molecular phylogenies which allow to determine their pace and mode of origination and differentiation. The flyways which connect temperate and tropical realms played a major role in the origination and differentiation of many extant lineages. Then, large differences in the structure of bird communities between North American and European forests are discussed and explained in the light of the geographic configuration of major land masses and past climatic changes and upheavals throughout the Neogene. From long term in depth studies in this forest, the composition and structure of bird communities may be used as references for understanding and measuring the processes and mechanisms of change in communities of the western managed forests.
{"title":"The Białowieża Forest as a Key Area for Understanding the History of European Forest Bird Communities","authors":"J. Blondel","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.1.002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The last remnants of pristine forests in Europe, especially in the nemoral belt of deciduous and mixed deciduous coniferous trees, are unique for understanding the history, composition and structure of plant and animal communities. This is especially true for the Białowieża forest, NE Poland. The biogeographical history of emblematic forest clades of birds, e.g. woodpeckers, tits and nuthatches, is analyzed from molecular phylogenies which allow to determine their pace and mode of origination and differentiation. The flyways which connect temperate and tropical realms played a major role in the origination and differentiation of many extant lineages. Then, large differences in the structure of bird communities between North American and European forests are discussed and explained in the light of the geographic configuration of major land masses and past climatic changes and upheavals throughout the Neogene. From long term in depth studies in this forest, the composition and structure of bird communities may be used as references for understanding and measuring the processes and mechanisms of change in communities of the western managed forests.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"57 1","pages":"19 - 27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49468978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-18DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.004
Hilda Raianne Silva Melo, Januário Conceição Júnior, F. K. Ubaid
Abstract. For many birds breeding success may be related to the availability of nesting sites, particularly in ecologically specialized cavity-nesting birds. For burrow-nesting species, the selection of an appropriate substrate may be fundamental to a successful breeding attempt. The Lesser Crescent-chested Puffbird Malacoptila minor is a bucconid with a restricted distribution, which is found in the states of Maranhão and Piauí, in northeastern Brazil. It is the only bucconid listed as threatened with extinction, and little is known about its natural history. A total of 49 nests were found over three breeding seasons (2017–2020). Nests consist of burrows dug in the ground that are used only once for breeding. Incubation lasted 21.2 ± 1.3 days and the nestlings fledged after 19.5 ± 2.9 days. The nests contained two or three eggs. The mean hatching rate was 0.46 ± 0.47 eggs per nest and the fecundity rate was 1.0 fledgling per female. The production was 0.53 fledglings per nest, apparent reproductive success was 22.4% (N = 49), and was 15.7% (N = 49) when based on Mayfield's protocol. The probability of breeding success per period was greater during the incubation phase than during the nestling phase. Predation was identified as the principal cause of nest failure (77.5%), mainly during the incubation phase. Three predators were identified: the Crab-eating Fox Cerdocyon thous, the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima, and a lizard, the Common Tegu Salvator merianae. Breeding season starts with the onset of rainy season and nest flooding did not appear to be a concern, which contrasts with the available data on other bucconids. The results of the present study are the first data on the breeding biology of the Lesser Crescent-chested Puffbird, and represent an important advance in the understanding of breeding patterns in the Bucconidae.
摘要对许多鸟类来说，繁殖的成功可能与筑巢地点的可用性有关，特别是在生态专业的洞穴筑巢鸟类中。对于洞穴筑巢物种来说，选择合适的基质可能是成功繁殖的基础。小新月胸Puffbird Malacoptila minor是一种分布有限的海滨鸟，分布在巴西东北部的马拉尼昂州和皮亚伊州。它是唯一一个被列为濒临灭绝的海滨，人们对它的自然历史知之甚少。在三个繁殖季节（2017年至2020年）共发现49个巢穴。巢穴由在地里挖出的洞穴组成，这些洞穴只用于繁殖一次。孵化期为21.2±1.3天，孵化期为19.5±2.9天。巢里有两三个蛋。平均孵化率为0.46±0.47个蛋/窝，繁殖力为1.0羽/雌。根据梅菲尔德的方案，每个巢的幼鸟产量为0.53只，明显的繁殖成功率为22.4%（N=49），为15.7%（N=49%）。每个时期繁殖成功的概率在孵化阶段比在筑巢阶段更大。捕食被确定为巢穴失败的主要原因（77.5%），主要发生在孵化阶段。确认了三种捕食者：食蟹狐狸Cerdocyon thou、火蚁Solenopsis saevissima和蜥蜴Common Tegu Salvator meriane。繁殖季节从雨季开始，巢穴泛滥似乎并不令人担忧，这与其他海滨的现有数据形成了鲜明对比。本研究的结果是关于小新月胸蟾蜍繁殖生物学的第一批数据，代表着对蟾蜍科繁殖模式的理解取得了重要进展。
{"title":"Breeding Biology of the Endangered Burrow-Nesting Lesser Crescent-Chested Puffbird Malacoptila minor","authors":"Hilda Raianne Silva Melo, Januário Conceição Júnior, F. K. Ubaid","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. For many birds breeding success may be related to the availability of nesting sites, particularly in ecologically specialized cavity-nesting birds. For burrow-nesting species, the selection of an appropriate substrate may be fundamental to a successful breeding attempt. The Lesser Crescent-chested Puffbird Malacoptila minor is a bucconid with a restricted distribution, which is found in the states of Maranhão and Piauí, in northeastern Brazil. It is the only bucconid listed as threatened with extinction, and little is known about its natural history. A total of 49 nests were found over three breeding seasons (2017–2020). Nests consist of burrows dug in the ground that are used only once for breeding. Incubation lasted 21.2 ± 1.3 days and the nestlings fledged after 19.5 ± 2.9 days. The nests contained two or three eggs. The mean hatching rate was 0.46 ± 0.47 eggs per nest and the fecundity rate was 1.0 fledgling per female. The production was 0.53 fledglings per nest, apparent reproductive success was 22.4% (N = 49), and was 15.7% (N = 49) when based on Mayfield's protocol. The probability of breeding success per period was greater during the incubation phase than during the nestling phase. Predation was identified as the principal cause of nest failure (77.5%), mainly during the incubation phase. Three predators were identified: the Crab-eating Fox Cerdocyon thous, the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima, and a lizard, the Common Tegu Salvator merianae. Breeding season starts with the onset of rainy season and nest flooding did not appear to be a concern, which contrasts with the available data on other bucconids. The results of the present study are the first data on the breeding biology of the Lesser Crescent-chested Puffbird, and represent an important advance in the understanding of breeding patterns in the Bucconidae.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"56 1","pages":"181 - 188"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47613826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-18DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.002
S. Anile, M. V. Mazzamuto, M. Valvo
Abstract. The assessment of the conservation status of a species is the first step to prevent local extinction and to plan appropriate, effective and scientifically sound conservation actions, hence knowledge of the distribution, population trends and characteristics of preferred habitat is crucial for the conservation of a species. Galliformes are facing increasing threats related to overhunting, habitat loss and fragmentation, and human disturbance. The Sicilian Rock Partridge (hereafter Rock Partridge) Alectoris graeca whitakeri is a significant conservation unit endemic to Sicily (Italy) classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to a decreasing population. Few studies have been conducted on the occurrence and population density of this subspecies. Here, we estimated its population density and identified which habitat factors drive the occurrence of this species on Mt. Etna. We used a combination of sampling methods (species-specific play-back calls, distance sampling, camera-trapping) to collect count and presence/absence data, which were then integrated into a single habitat model (presence vs. absence). We obtained 24 responses from play-back calls (plus 8 individuals observed while performing the play-back calls), 8 sightings from distance sampling, 6 detections from camera-trapping. Probability of occurrence of Rock Partridge on Mt. Etna was positively driven by shrub and meadow vegetation, whereas its occurrence decreased with an increase in both woody areas (coniferous and deciduous) and elevation. Population density estimated using play-back call data resulted in 0.80 pairs/km2 (95% CI: 0.17–2.22) over an area of 53.7 km2. The density of Rock Partridge on Mt. Etna appeared to have slightly declined and its distribution undergone a contraction since the previous survey. Several potential threats to the Rock Partridge in Sicily are currently increasing and should be mitigated to ensure the long-term survival of this unique population on Mt. Etna, as well as in the whole island of Sicily.
{"title":"Habitat Determinants and Density of the Endemic Sicilian Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca whitakeri on Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy","authors":"S. Anile, M. V. Mazzamuto, M. Valvo","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The assessment of the conservation status of a species is the first step to prevent local extinction and to plan appropriate, effective and scientifically sound conservation actions, hence knowledge of the distribution, population trends and characteristics of preferred habitat is crucial for the conservation of a species. Galliformes are facing increasing threats related to overhunting, habitat loss and fragmentation, and human disturbance. The Sicilian Rock Partridge (hereafter Rock Partridge) Alectoris graeca whitakeri is a significant conservation unit endemic to Sicily (Italy) classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to a decreasing population. Few studies have been conducted on the occurrence and population density of this subspecies. Here, we estimated its population density and identified which habitat factors drive the occurrence of this species on Mt. Etna. We used a combination of sampling methods (species-specific play-back calls, distance sampling, camera-trapping) to collect count and presence/absence data, which were then integrated into a single habitat model (presence vs. absence). We obtained 24 responses from play-back calls (plus 8 individuals observed while performing the play-back calls), 8 sightings from distance sampling, 6 detections from camera-trapping. Probability of occurrence of Rock Partridge on Mt. Etna was positively driven by shrub and meadow vegetation, whereas its occurrence decreased with an increase in both woody areas (coniferous and deciduous) and elevation. Population density estimated using play-back call data resulted in 0.80 pairs/km2 (95% CI: 0.17–2.22) over an area of 53.7 km2. The density of Rock Partridge on Mt. Etna appeared to have slightly declined and its distribution undergone a contraction since the previous survey. Several potential threats to the Rock Partridge in Sicily are currently increasing and should be mitigated to ensure the long-term survival of this unique population on Mt. Etna, as well as in the whole island of Sicily.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"56 1","pages":"159 - 170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49222180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-18DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.009
L. Rozsypalová, R. Raab, P. Spakovszky, D. Rymešová, R. Zink, Elena Kmetova–Biro, J. Škrábal, I. Literák
Abstract. Understanding the year-round movement behaviour is fundamental for the effective conservation management of an ecologically important species. In the heavily human-modified landscape of Central Europe, Saker Falcons Falco cherrug have adapted to intensively managed agricultural habitats, often nesting and roosting on electrical pylons. We studied the ranging behaviour and habitat selection of one juvenile and three adult Saker Falcons equipped with GPS/GSM loggers in the Czech Republic and Austria between 2015–2017. Upon release from a rescue centre, the juvenile Saker Falcon used temporary settlement areas (TSAs) with a median size of 231 km2 (minimum convex polygons, MCP 95%). Median of breeding season home ranges for the three adults was 15 km2 over six breeding events. After breeding period, the adults remained close to the nest site, occupying an area with median of 10 km2 until they departed for their autumn migration. Departure dates ranged from 21 September to 9 November. Winter TSA sizes had median of 99 km2. Adults returned to the breeding area between 12 February and 4 March. Annual breeding home ranges overlapped by approximately 84–99% indicating high site fidelity. The most utilised land cover types within winter TSAs included arable land and heterogeneous agricultural areas. Analysis of night-time roosting sites showed a substantial preference for high voltage pylons compared to trees. Our results could benefit conservation planning and species management practices, focusing on both improving the safety of anthropogenic elements and increasing habitat diversity.
{"title":"Individual Movements and Habitat Use in Temporary Settlement Areas, Wintering Grounds and Breeding Areas of Saker Falcons Falco cherrug in the Pannonian Basin","authors":"L. Rozsypalová, R. Raab, P. Spakovszky, D. Rymešová, R. Zink, Elena Kmetova–Biro, J. Škrábal, I. Literák","doi":"10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Understanding the year-round movement behaviour is fundamental for the effective conservation management of an ecologically important species. In the heavily human-modified landscape of Central Europe, Saker Falcons Falco cherrug have adapted to intensively managed agricultural habitats, often nesting and roosting on electrical pylons. We studied the ranging behaviour and habitat selection of one juvenile and three adult Saker Falcons equipped with GPS/GSM loggers in the Czech Republic and Austria between 2015–2017. Upon release from a rescue centre, the juvenile Saker Falcon used temporary settlement areas (TSAs) with a median size of 231 km2 (minimum convex polygons, MCP 95%). Median of breeding season home ranges for the three adults was 15 km2 over six breeding events. After breeding period, the adults remained close to the nest site, occupying an area with median of 10 km2 until they departed for their autumn migration. Departure dates ranged from 21 September to 9 November. Winter TSA sizes had median of 99 km2. Adults returned to the breeding area between 12 February and 4 March. Annual breeding home ranges overlapped by approximately 84–99% indicating high site fidelity. The most utilised land cover types within winter TSAs included arable land and heterogeneous agricultural areas. Analysis of night-time roosting sites showed a substantial preference for high voltage pylons compared to trees. Our results could benefit conservation planning and species management practices, focusing on both improving the safety of anthropogenic elements and increasing habitat diversity.","PeriodicalId":50888,"journal":{"name":"Acta Ornithologica","volume":"56 1","pages":"227 - 240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2022-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43642889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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