Status of Aquatic Avifaunal Diversity in Around Datia City

BackgroundAvian influenza virus (AIV) is an important public health issue because pandemic influenza viruses in people have contained genes from viruses that infect birds. The H5 and H7 AIV subtypes have periodically mutated from low pathogenicity to high pathogenicity form. Analysis of the geographic distribution of AIV can identify areas where reassortment events might occur and how high pathogenicity influenza might travel if it enters wild bird populations in the US. Modelling the number of AIV cases is important because the rate of co-infection with multiple AIV subtypes increases with the number of cases and co-infection is the source of reassortment events that give rise to new strains of influenza, which occurred before the 1968 pandemic. Aquatic birds in the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes have been recognized as reservoirs of AIV since the 1970s. However, little is known about influenza prevalence in terrestrial birds in the order Passeriformes. Since passerines share the same habitat as poultry, they may be more effective transmitters of the disease to humans than aquatic birds. We analyze 152 passerine species including the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus).MethodsWe formulate a regression model to predict AIV cases throughout the US at the county scale as a function of 12 environmental variables, sampling effort, and proximity to other counties with influenza outbreaks. Our analysis did not distinguish between types of influenza, including low or highly pathogenic forms.ResultsAnalysis of 13,046 cloacal samples collected from 225 bird species in 41 US states between 2005 and 2008 indicates that the average prevalence of influenza in passerines is greater than the prevalence in eight other avian orders. Our regression model identifies the Great Plains and the Pacific Northwest as high-risk areas for AIV. Highly significant predictors of AIV include the amount of harvested cropland and the first day of the year when a county is snow free.ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of influenza in waterfowl has long been appreciated, we show that 22 species of song birds and perching birds (order Passeriformes) are influenza reservoirs in the contiguous US.

The current assessment was carried out to inspect the avifauna diversity of the East Singhbhum, which is one among the twenty-four districts of the Jharkhand. For the listing and tabulation of the bird species of the area under study, area search method was employed. A total of 262 different species of bird belonging to 20 orders and 71 families were listed. Among all the orders enlisted, order Passeriformes is recorded to be the most diverse order with total of 34 families and 117 species, followed by order Charadriiformes with 9 families and 21 species under it. Order Accipitriformes, Cuculiformes, and Piciformes was reported to have only 2 families with 14 species. Order Anseriformes were reported with 1 family and 12 species of birds, followed by Order Pelecaniformes with 2 families and 12 species. Order Ciconiiformes together with Podicipediformes, and Suliformes were observed with 1 family and 2 species of birds, hence, these 3 orders were reported to be the smallest orders among the 20 orders. A comprehensive study of the residential and migratory behaviour of the birds were also recorded and it the list shows that out of 262 species of birds, 168 birds were residential to the region with 64.12%, Migratory species was 94 with 35.88% which is further divided into winter migrant i.e., 87 species with 33.21% and rest 7 species are seen as summer migrant with 2.67%. Among 262 species of birds found in the area, Common Pochard (Aythya farina) belongs to Vulnerable category of IUCN Red List. Few species such as, Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca), Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Red Necked Falcon (Falco chicquera), Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) is included in the Near Threatened list of IUCN Red List were also sighted during the conduct of study.

We conducted a comparative analysis of qualitative composition of the Buzuluk Pine Forest avifauna, mainly based on data collected by ornithologist E.P. Knorre for the period 1928–1941, and modern observations done between 2000 and the present. Retrospective data were obtained from the now-defunct Buzuluk Bor Reserve with an area of 10 503 hectares (now Borovoye-Opytnoe Forestry in the Orenburg Province). Present-time personal avifaunistic observations (using standard methods with referring to literature sources) were carried out on an area of 49 000 hectares, both in Borovoye-Opytnoe and in several adjacent forestries that were part of the Buzuluk Bor National Park within the Orenburg Province. Comparing the historical and current bird lists, we used a relative assessment of changes in the composition of various bird groups based on the observed and expected frequencies according to the χ2 test. Long-term data on average annual temperatures and precipitation from a nearby state weather station were also used. As a result, it is shown that by now the list of birds of E.P. Knorre decreased from 153 to 109 species (28.8%). When comparing by orders, the water birds were found to be the most affected group. The number of species in orders Podicipediformes, Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes decreased by 80–100%, and it dropped by more than 50% in orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. There was also a slightly smaller decrease in the number of species in orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes – by about 40%. An assessment of the relative changes in various bird groups from Knorre’s list based on expected and observed frequencies showed significant differences in the portion of avifauna associated with water. It decreased between 23.5% and 9% in the group ‘Limnophiles’ (χ2 = 11.7, df = 1, p = 0.0006) and between 24.8% and 9% in the group of orders represented by waterfowl and waterbird species (χ2 = 13.4, df = 1, p = 0.0002). The change in the portion of birds of prey was statistically non-significant. The same portion assessment method did not statistically confirm the decrease in the rest ecological and order groups. Comparison of groups by occurrence status found no significant changes in the portions of all groups of birds in the past and present, but the largest reduction was recorded in the group of migrating species. The portion of migrants decreased from 8.7% to 3.0% (χ2 = 3.2, df = 1, p = 0.07, Yates corrected χ2 = 2.2, p = 0.1). A dramatic decline in group of bird species associated with wetlands was suggested to be due, among other factors, to the progressive desiccation of the Buzuluk Pine Forest, as E. Knorre himself wrote in his report. The ongoing aridization of the climate, as shown by the graph of average annual air temperatures, has been taking place since at least the 20s of the twentieth century and led to the drying-up of wetlands, and also to migration of groundwater to deeper horizons. The emerging trend towards a reduction in the portion of migrants could be explained by the fact that a number of migratory bird species, mainly ducks and waders, disappeared in the study area, and several other migrants began breeding species. In addition, large-scale fires and logging led to formation of burned wasteland areas inside the forest at the beginning of the twentieth century and also probably contributed to fragmentation and desiccation of this biome.

Wainganga River valley of Eastern Vidarbha hosts major part of lush green landscape. Gosekhurd Dam (Indira Sagar) is one of the largest irrigation project of central India (JI00481) located 20.8738154°N 79.6081781°E near Pauni of Bhandara district, Maharashtra on Wainganga river. It is a good habitat for birds and herpetofauna biodiversity. Bird watching and recording were done from January 2014 to December 2017. 241 species belonging to 152 genera, 46 families and 17 orders (Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Passeriformes) were recorded. The order Passeriformes is the largest order belonging to 16 families and 90 bird species. Out of total bird species, 109 (45.23%) are resident, 95 (39.42%) are resident migrant and 37 (15.35%) are migratory species. Wainganga Valley is of critical importance for Maharashtra to preserve its forests, wildlife, and tribal population dependent on it. Present investigation carried out to prepare an inclusive checklist of bird species and their ecological status in the study area.

Water birds face viscous and frictional drag during swimming and diving, exerting pressure and friction on their bodies. The drag coefficient depends on the micro-structure and geometry of contour feathers, the bird’s body profile, and physical properties of the water. A previous study speculated that water birds’ body profile contributes to drag similar to contour feather micro-structure. To test this, we measured the long and short axes of the elliptical surface area swimming birds share with water, assuming diving and plunging birds interact similarly. We compared 40 water bird species in seven foraging niches to 14 land bird species in two niches. All foraging categories were tested pairwise for significance using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Results showed significant differences between water and land birds, but not among the water bird categories or the land bird categories. When water birds were divided into swimmers and waders, both differed significantly from land birds but not from each other. This contrasts with the previous study, where waders were closely related to land birds, possibly due to different measuring techniques.

The fossil record of birds from Antarctica is concentrated in the James Ross Basin, located in north-east of the Antarctic Peninsula. Birds are here represented by an extensive Paleogene record of penguins (Sphenisciformes) and Cretaceous–Paleogene record of Anseriformes, followed by other groups with a minor representation (Procellariiformes, Falconiformes, and Pelagornithidae), and others previously assigned controversially to “Ratites”, Threskiornithidae, Charadriiformes, Gruiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, and Gaviiformes. We provide a complete update of these records, commenting on the importance of some of these remains for the evolution of the major clades. Citation:Acosta Hospitaleche C, Jadwiszczak P, Clarke J A, et al. The fossil record of birds from the James Ross Basin, West Antarctica. Adv Polar Sci, 2019, 30(3): 251-273, doi: 10.13679/j.advps.2019.0014

The present study comprises the biodiversity of birds in Gorewada International bio-park situated at north-west of Nagpur city with geographical location 21°11′N 79°2′E and a good habitat for avian biodiversity. Bird watching and recording were done from March 2011 to February 2014, in the morning and evening hours during Sunday and holidays.190 species belonging to 128 genera, 51 families and 17 orders (Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Passeriformes) were recorded. The order Passeriformes is the largest order belonging to20 families and 75 bird species. Out of total bird species, 89 (46.84%) are resident, 77 (40.53%) are resident migrant and 24 (12.63%) are migratory species. Forest region of this bio-park provides heterogeneity in vegetation and lake is rich in aquatic fauna and other food for avian species. Therefore, this region is well suitable for feeding, resting and roosting site for aves. The report obtains information regarding resident birds, migratory birds and resident migratory birds of Gorewada bio-park.

The present study comprises the biodiversity of birds in Gorewada International bio-park situated at north-west of Nagpur city with geographical location 21°11′N 79°2′E and a good habitat for avian biodiversity. Bird watching and recording were done from March 2011 to February 2014, in the morning and evening hours during Sunday and holidays. 190 species belonging to 128 genera, 51 families and 17 orders (Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Passeriformes) were recorded. The order Passeriformes is the largest order belonging to 20 families and 75 bird species. Out of total bird species, 89 (46.84%) are resident, 77 (40.53%) are resident migrant and 24 (12.63%) are migratory species.
 Forest region of this bio-park provides heterogeneity in vegetation and lake is rich in aquatic fauna and other food for avian species. Therefore, this region is well suitable for feeding, resting and roosting site for aves. The report obtains information regarding resident birds, migratory birds and resident migratory birds of Gorewada bio-park.

This study was conducted in Dinder National Park (Sudan). Patterns of bird species diversity, richness, and abundance were documented in four wetland areas inside Dinder National Park, including Ras Amir, Grerisa, Abdel Ghani, and Dabkara Mayas (meadows) during the dry seasons starting 2014 through 2016, and, diversity over this period was badly eroded and under serious threats. Timed-species count (TSC) technique was used for counting birds. Rarefaction curves combined with nonparametric estimators of species richness were used to extrapolate species richness beyond the collected data. The Shannon (H') diversity index and the Simpson (D) index and the evenness index of Pielou (J') were used to assess alpha diversity and diversity within and between sites, respectively. Finally, chi-square goodness of fit test was used to test the H0 that bird species frequencies at each site were equally proportional and their mean numbers across the four sites were not significantly different. Sampling efforts of over 90% was attained in each of the four study sites. A total of 203 bird species about 145 (71%) of which were wetland birds, all belonging to 33 families and 11 orders, were identified from a set of 3753 individuals. The mean number of wetland birds was generally low at all the Mayas except at Ras Amir Maya where some species had relatively higher mean number. The orders Anseriformes (especially Anatidae), Charadriiformes (especially Jacanidae and Charadriidae), Ciconiiformes (especially Ardeidae, Threskiornithidae, and Ciconiidae), Coraciiformes (especially Alcedinidae), Passeriformes (especially Motacillidae and Ploceidae), and Pelecaniformes (especially Phalacrocoracidae) were the most important, in terms of both abundance and species richness. Diversity indices ranged, in descending order, from Grerisa Maya, Ras Amir Maya, Abd el Ghani Maya to Dabkara Maya. There was no clear trend in terms of bird numbers and abundance between sites, though water-rich Mayas seemed to support more birds than the drier ones. Likewise, certain species were found only in some Mayas but not in others such as African jacana (Actophilornis africanus), African darter (Anhinga rufa), long-tailed cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus), and allies. This study presents baseline data and contributes in important ways to basic knowledge of wetland biodiversity patterns within Dinder National Park which must be protected because they constitute core areas of great conservation importance.

Abstract. Ramadhani A, Ambarwati R, Gumilang RS. 2022. Diversity and abundance of water birds in the mangrove area of south coast of Bangkalan, Madura Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 3277-3284. The southern coastal mangrove area of ??Bangkalan, Madura Island, Indonesia, is an important bird habitat, especially for water birds. This study aimed to analyze the diversity and abundance of water birds in the southern coastal mangrove area of ??Bangkalan, Indonesia, as well as the environmental carrying capacity of this area as their habitat. Sampling was carried out using a birdwatching approach at four research stations. The diversity of water birds was analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, while the abundance of water birds was calculated based on the abundance index. Environmental carrying capacity was analyzed descriptive-quantitatively based on the habitat profile. The results indicated that there were 15 species of water birds in the mangrove area belonging to five families in four orders, namely Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Pelecaniformes, and Suliformes, with a diversity index of 1.547. There were three abundant species of water birds, namely the little egret (Egretta garzetta), Javan Pond-heron (Ardeola speciosa), and Great Egret (Ardea alba). In addition to water birds, there were nine species of arboreal birds in this area. The areas with dense mangroves provide better habitat carrying capacity for water birds compared to other coastal areas.

Nesting bird species in Osli-Hany between 2013-2022. Before the drainage of the entire area, Hanság – based on the descriptions of travellers – was a huge swampland with a rich avifauna (FATIO, 1891). Before the habitat reconstruction, the area was predominantly covered with grassland mainly cultivated by mowing, and to a lesser extent with woodland patches. Before the flooding of the area, surface water coverage was absent except for the transitional period following the melting of the winter precipitation, therefore unsuitable for the nesting water birds (SIPOS, 2007). Habitat reconstruction resulted in the colonization by many species, and Osli-Hany became a very important habitat, especially for water birds. As previously shown, fewer species with higher numbers nested in the first years after reconstruction, compared to later years (ARADI & GŐRI, 1997; KOVÁCS, 2010). In ten years, 108 species have been documented to breed, another 15 species potentially breed in Osli-Hany, which is a very high number in such a small area. Presumably, the primary source populations of the inhabitant water bird species are located at Fertő Lake, a Nyirkai-Hany, and lakes of Tóköz, data from the recapture and tracking of marked individuals, as well as the temporal population decrease on these lakes support this hypothesis (PELLINGER & FERENCZI, 2012). Several rare endangered species nest in the area, such as the strictly protected eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) and Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmeus). Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), Garganey (Spatula querquedula) and Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) only nested in the first few years after wetland restoration, and a significant decrease in the number of individuals was observed in case of the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and the Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra). The initial aim of the monitoring started in 2013 was faunistic data collection without a specific focus on gathering information about population trends. However, for some species, data on the size of the breeding population has been published as additional data, and systematic survey focusing on population trends has started from 2022. At the point counting surveys, the highest density and diversity were observed in forest habitat patches (GYŐRIG, 2022). In the spring of 2022, sedge dominated habitats were covered by 50-60 cm deep standing water, providing suitable nesting sites for more generalist species i. e. the Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Savi’s Warbler (Locustella luscinioides), Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) and the Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), reaching their highest density in that year. Despite the lower relative diversity of sedgelands, nesting water birds prefer such habitats over other grassland habitats, indicating the importance of the provision of water to these areas. Semi-open marshes with sparse emergent vegetation are also ideal breeding habitats for these 4 species that nested with slightly lower but similar density in those habitats. Consequently, flooded areas became an essential habitat not only for water birds, but some passerine species also prefer them as nesting sites. The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), a species that also likes flooded areas, reached its highest density here. The goal of habitat reconstructions is to induce the highest biodiversity possible, but due to the species’ different habitat needs, habitat management plans must be optimized especially regarding water conditions. Managing such an area is not an easy task, many factors can make it difficult to operate properly such as climatic changes, invasive species, and in the case of wetlands, water supply and water quality. In the case of Osli-Hany, the water level is affected by the level of Rábca river. The area consists of one big waterbody, making it impossible to regulate parts of the area separately (as in case of Nyirkai-Hany, which is divided into three “cassettes”). However, the northwestern corner of the area could be separated as the water flows to the east through a culvert. If a sluice were placed on this culvert, an 18.5-hectare big area could be managed separately from the rest. A part of the area which is a pasture grazed by domestic Water Buffalo could be flooded several times a year. Periodical drainage of this pasture area would be also necessary to maintain the optimal vegetation length by grazing and mowing. After reducing vegetation, the area could be flooded again for only a three-year period, therefore avoiding the stagnant areas of the wetland could be possible. In this way, species that prefer the first year’s post flooding would also have a regular nesting opportunity. There is no need for such an intervention in most of the area, as many occurrent species prefer stagnant areas. Nevertheless, water level fluctuations may be necessary to maintain adequate water quality and the lower organism community. Osli-Hany has good water quality (LUDÁNYI et al. 2020), for the maintenance it is advisable to adjust water levels according to the seasonal/climatic conditions. Due to the extra water supply at the end of winter, a higher water level would develop in accordance with the climate of the Hanság, which would continuously decrease from the end of May and remain at a lower level until winter or the following spring. A treatment proposal has been formulated to imitate these natural processes (KISS et al., 2020), which can result in the creation of more diverse vegetation structure due to the different water levels kept in balance (TIMMERMANN et al., 2006, TAKÁCS et al., 2007), which is also beneficial for bird fauna (GÁTI et al., 2000, FERENCZI et al., 2009). Our study may serve as a foundation for future monitoring of breeding passerine bird populations in the area as well as model for future wetland restoration plans. In the first 10 years, wetland restoration of the Osli-Hany resulted in breeding of 105 species including many strictly protected and endangered species. Systematic water management of the area with proper timing would be crucial to help the vegetation development of the area. Our future aim is to create even more diverse habitats which may increase the variety of breeding bird community.

Wild aquatic birds in the Orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes are the main reservoir hosts perpetuating the genetic pool of all influenza A viruses, including pandemic viruses. High viral loads in feces of infected birds permit a fecal-oral route of transmission. Numerous studies have reported the isolation of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) from surface water at aquatic bird habitats. These isolations indicate aquatic environments have an important role in the transmission of AIV among wild aquatic birds. However, the progressive dilution of infectious feces in water could decrease the likelihood of virus/host interactions. To evaluate whether alternate mechanisms facilitate AIV transmission in aquatic bird populations, we investigated whether the preen oil gland secretions by which all aquatic birds make their feathers waterproof could support a natural mechanism that concentrates AIVs from water onto birds' bodies, thus, representing a possible source of infection by preening activity. We consistently detected both viral RNA and infectious AIVs on swabs of preened feathers of 345 wild mallards by using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus-isolation (VI) assays. Additionally, in two laboratory experiments using a quantitative real-time (qR) RT-PCR assay, we demonstrated that feather samples (n = 5) and cotton swabs (n = 24) experimentally impregnated with preen oil, when soaked in AIV-contaminated waters, attracted and concentrated AIVs on their surfaces. The data presented herein provide information that expands our understanding of AIV ecology in the wild bird reservoir system.

A total of 139 species of birds belonging to 45 families were recorded in the study area from September 2011 to July 2012. 67 species of these were residents, 28 were residents and local migrants, 22 were residents and winter migrants, 17 were winter migrants and 5 species were winter migrants as well as passage migrants. The order Passeriformes was highest in dominance followed by Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Coraciiformes and Anseriformes. Among the bird species recorded the Darter ( Anhinga melanogaster ) , Painted Stork ( Mycteria leucocephala ), Oriental White Ibis ( Threskiornis melanocephalus ), Lesser Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus minor ) , Black-tailed Godwit ( Limosa limosa ), Eurasian Curlew ( Numenius arquata ), Black-bellied Tern ( Sterna acuticauda ) and European Roller ( Coracias garrulous ) are Near Threatened species (IUCN 2011).

Poyang Lake provides wintering sites for several hundred thousands water birds every year. There are historical records of 310 species of birds in Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve (Abbr. in PYNNR), belonging to 17 orders, 63 families, and 158 genus, and including 125 water birds species belonging to 6 orders, 19 families, and 60 genus. The most amount of waterbirds in Poyang Lake are geese and swans, the second most are shorebirds. Dominant species of bird communities are whistling swan, swan goose and white-fronted goose. There are 19 species listed as threatened by IUCN. The Siberian crane is the most well-known wintering species in Poyang Lake. The number of Siberian cranes stablized in recent years. There are 18 species whose numbers are more than 1% of the total number of their global or migrant route's populations according to three separate of surveys. PYNNR is the most concentrated area for rare waterbird and precious species; at the same time, Nanhu and other adjacent areas to PYNNR such as the middle and south branch of the Gan River are also important habitats for rare waterbirds, and need more attention and conservation actions.

The article discusses the infection of wetland birds in Uzbekistan with the trematodes Schistosomatidae Stiles et Hassall, 1898. The research covered 282 individuals from the main groups of birds represented by the orders Pelecaniformes, Ciconiformes, Anseriformes, Gruiformes, Podicipediformes and Charadriiformes. The Schistosomatidae fauna of Uzbekistan includes 13 species: Bilharziella polonica (Kowalewsky, 1895), Trichobilharzia ocellata (La Valette, 1854), T. filiformis (Szidat, 1938), T. kowalewskii (Ejsmont, 1929), T. tatianae (Spasskaja, 1953), Macrobilharzia macrobilharzia Trawassos, 1923, Ornithobilharzia canaliculata (Rudolphi, 1819), O. baeri Fain, 1955, Dendritobilharzia pulverulenta (Braun, 1901), D. loossi Skrjabin, 1924, D. anatinarum Cheatum, 1941, Gigantobilharzia acotylea Odhner, 1910 and Gigantobilharziella monocotylea (Szidat, 1930). Predominant are representatives of the genera Trichobilharzia and Dendritobilharzia. The species composition of Schistosomatidae is most diverse in birds from the lower reaches of the Amu Darya, where a high rate of infection with larvae of some of these trematodes was also recorded in aquatic molluscs. 11 species of molluscs were registered in the studied regions: Galba truncatula (Muller, 1774), Stagnicola corvus (Gmelin, 1791), Radix auricularia (Linnaeus, 1758), Lymnaea stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805), Planorbis planorbis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. tangitarensis Germain, 1918, Anisus spirorbis (Linnaeus, 1758), Gyraulus albus (Muller, 1774), Melanoides kainarensis Starobogatov et Izzatullaev, 1980, from the families Lymnaeidae (4 species), Planorbidae (4 species), Physidae (2 species) and Thiaridae (1 species). They are identified as intermediate hosts of Schistosomatidae and were infected with 7 species of flukes. The total rate of infection with larval stages of Schistosomatidae in molluscs was about 2.0%. The highest infection rate was observed in Melanoides kainarensis – 5.3%. Morpho-biological indicators for mature forms of B. polonica from different bird species (Anas platyrhynchos and Oxyura leucocephala) were confirmed by molecular genetic studies. The study identified foci of birds’ infection with Schistosomatidae and the occurrence of human cercarial dermatitis.