Bird Composition Research Articles

Species composition and distribution of birds in the area of Kyzyl airport (Republic of Tyva, Russia) and their impact on the ornithological situation

Aim. Study and identification of species composition and actual location of birds on the territory of the Kyzyl airport and in the airspace above it throughout the year and assessment of the intensity of the ornithological situation in order to ensure flight safety.The study of avifauna within the airport area within a radius of 15 km was carried out throughout a calendar year using the method of integrated route accounting and stationary observations on the runway. Statistical processing of the field materials was carried out using the Microsoft Excel program.In total, a fairly high species diversity was revealed within the airport territory – 76 species in zone I – R =2,5 km and 199 species in zone II – R= 15 km. The population density of birds points was calculated in points, the status of stay, seasonal fluctuations in the number and species diversity of avifauna and the intensity of the ornithological situation were revealed.Despite the rather high species diversity and significant fluctuations in the number of birds, ornithological intensity in zone II during the year is ‘calm’ and reaches the upper limit of the ‘satisfactory’ level occasionally on certain days of late summer – early autumn. A place of increased concentration of birds within airport area II is an urban landfill. The decision to move the landfill beyond a 50 km radius from the runway, the prevention of nesting of aircraft‐dangerous bird species within zone II and the use of visual repellents will allow maintenance of a low level of ornithological intensity throughout the year.

Effects of Urbanization on Community Composition and Conditions of Birds in Wetland Ecosystems

Urbanization in wetlands has negatively impacted bird species diversity and populations. It is important to be able to predict the consequences for avian biodiversity and to identify wetlands of special value to the maintenance of local wetland communities. This study involved conducting point counts across four permanent urban wetlands at the University of Florida and three retention ponds in the Gainesville, FL vicinity to observe patterns in wetland bird species diversity and populations. This study also utilized data from the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) to explore differences in phenotypes of wetland bird specimens. The local wetlands showed trends where specific species thrived in one type of area versus the other. Egrets were frequently observed in larger wetlands, and double-crested cormorants were observed more frequently in smaller ones. Additionally, retention ponds showed promise as a conservation method, dependent on their depth and size. The largest retention pond attracted many bird species in great numbers, showing promise for methods to negate negative the impact of human activity and climate change. Characterization for data collected at the FLMNH on both weight and species analyzed across numerous regional locations showed a negative trend between specimen weight and time progression.

The species composition of the definitive hosts of the trematode <i>Bilharziella polonica</i> (Schistosomatidae) of Southern Karelia (Northwestern Russia)

We performed a parasitological survey of helminths of 398 waterfowl specimens from an ecologically unique territory of southern Karelia (North-West Russia). This is the first study of species composition and infection of birds that are definitive hosts of Bilharziella polonica have been obtained. The trematoda of Bilharziella polonica has been recorded only in seven species of birds — mallard, teal, garganey, goldeneye, tufted duck, shoveler, and red-necked grebe. The species of B. polonica has been recorded of red-necked grebe for the North-West of Russia for the first time. The role of infected birds of Bilharziella polonica in support of schistosomiasis, a disease that causes morbidity for causing human cercarial dermatitis or swimmer’s itch, were shown. We present data that life cycle of Bilharziella polonica is successfully implemented in the conditions of Karelia.

A Stroll Along Australian Ecosystems: Using Bioclimatic Transects to Examine Environmental Drivers of Community Assembly in Birds

ABSTRACTAimVariation in community composition along environmental gradients provides crucial information for identifying zones where species turnover is rapid and to ascertain whether compositional changes occur gradually or rather abruptly. We examined changes in bird community composition along three bioclimatic transects in Australia to test whether drivers of species turnover are consistent, rather than spatially contingent, across biologically contrasting ecosystems. We also detected potential transition zones associated with environmental thresholds and determined whether certain abiotic conditions promote a higher rate of community compositional turnover.LocationMainland Australia.TaxonTerrestrial birds.MethodsWe applied multivariate community analysis, generalised dissimilarity modelling (GDM) and threshold indicator taxa analysis (TITAN).ResultsWe observed that environmental variables are better predictors of community composition than spatial distance, which indicates that species sorting, rather than dispersal, plays a key role in structuring Australian avian communities. Annual precipitation constitutes a key driver of species turnover regardless of the analysed transect. The most humid landscapes and those with a higher tree canopy show lower spatial heterogeneity in community composition compared to those with less benign environmental conditions (e.g., dryer environments). TITAN detected significant transition points and supported the results obtained using GDM, which suggests that bird composition change along the gradients is not monotonic.Main ConclusionsOur results suggest that avian beta diversity increases with increasing environmental harshness, presumably through changes in the relative importance of stochastic versus deterministic processes. The obtained findings show that open forests and woodlands are extremely important ecosystems on this continent and deserve special attention in terms of conservation due to their vulnerability to global change. Lastly, this study exemplifies the value of combining community‐ and taxon‐based analyses to identify and interpret community thresholds, which can serve to pinpoint targets for preserving biodiversity.

Variation of parental and chick diet in opportunistic insectivorous European Bee-eaters

Insectivorous Palaearctic bird species associated with open habitats rely on high prey abundances, which are currently declining due to habitat loss and intensive agricultural practices. The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is an opportunistic insectivore of open habitats, preying mainly on medium to large-sized flying insects. Its diet composition received some attention in the past, but the current variation in diet composition of birds breeding across different habitats, and between adults and chicks remains poorly known. In this study, we determine variation in bee-eaters’ diet in colonies located in five common habitats at the Iberian Peninsula. We also assess differences in the diet composition of chicks and adults and investigate seasonal diet selectivity of adults. Finally, we explore the variability in the size of prey provided to chicks throughout their growth period. Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were the most important groups for bee-eaters, with adults and chicks consuming 58.8% and 64.1% of hymenopterans and 37.6% and 28.6% of coleopterans, respectively. The proportion of Hymenoptera (42.3–55.7%) and Coleoptera (43.3–53.5%) in the diet was similar in colonies in pasture and oak habitats. But Hymenoptera dominated (83.8% and 95.7%) in meadow and mixed forest colonies. Despite being a generally opportunistic predator, adult bee-eaters provide their progeny with an increasing proportion of larger insects through chick development. Moreover, they equally take Hymenoptera and Coleoptera for themselves and their chicks, even when the abundance of these insects decreases seasonally. Overall, these results suggest that local prey availability associated with specific habitats influences diet composition and that regional declines in certain groups may, therefore, affect insectivore species differently according to their dietary and habitat preferences.

Long-term directional changes in urban bird communities of Mar del Plata City, Argentina

Urban environments have been characterized by their temporal stability of resources, which could promote stability in bird composition. Several studies have found that bird communities in urban environments persist over the years, showing a similar species composition in the short term. However, studies analyzing continuous changes in urban communities over the long term are scarce. This study aimed to analyze the stability or directional changes (instability) in bird communities along an urban gradient. Bird counts were conducted in urban, suburban, and periurban areas over 8-10 years in 2002-2019. Changes in species composition were analyzed over periods ranging from one year to the next, to changes from one year to the seventeenth. Urban bird communities were more similar between years than suburban and periurban communities. Compositional changes were greater as time lags increased, indicating directional compositional shifts. The magnitude of these changes was similar across the urban gradient. The Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango), the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro), the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), and the Red-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) significantly increased their abundances during the period, while the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) significantly decreased its abundance. Regional changes in species abundance, urban vegetation succession, and biotic interactions could explain the changes in bird communities.

Linear and nonlinear models for assessing carcass composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry in egg- and meat-type chickens

The objective of this study was to develop appropriate correction equations for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for total carcass composition of live meat- and egg-type chickens. Linear (bivariate linear and multivariate linear) and nonlinear (polynomial, multivariate polynomial, broken-line and Gompertz) equations were used to estimate carcass composition of DXA-scanned birds based on chemical proximate analysis. A total of 288 laying females (10-30 wk of age) and 305 broiler breeder females (4-32 wk of age) were used. The same birds scanned by DXA were dissected and utilized for whole-body proximate chemical analysis for body lean, fat, and mineral content (ash). As indicators of carcass fat and lean, abdominal fat pad and breast muscle weights were also recorded. Models were evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), coefficient of determination (R2), Durbin Watson test for autocorrelation (DW), and residuals observation (RES). Model estimations were done separately by strain or combined. Estimations of composition responses fit at least 1 of each linear and nonlinear models for the egg- and meat-type chickens on all parameters estimated (P < 0.05). In the egg-type chickens, multivariate linear regression was the best fit for body lean with the lowest RMSE and BIC, and highest R2 whereas body fat, body ash, and breast muscle were best predicted by the multivariate polynomial model. In the meat-type chickens, body lean was best predicted by the multivariate linear model with the lowest RMSE and BIC, and the highest R2 whereas the multivariate polynomial was the most parsimonious model for body fat, body ash, and abdominal fat. Positive autocorrelations were observed in several models tested for body fat, body ash, breast muscle, and abdominal fat pad when both strains were analyzed combined (P < 0.05). In summary, a strain-based correction is recommended to all the parameters, with exception of the BW estimation. Correction equations developed in this study demonstrated that the DXA technique is a reliable alternative to proximate chemical analysis in egg- and meat-type chickens.

Seasonal changes in invertebrate diet of breeding black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis).

Invertebrates greatly support the growth, development, and reproduction of insectivorous birds. However, the influence of human activity (e.g., pesticide use, deforestation, and urbanization) inevitably leads to a decrease in global arthropods. The diversity and variation in invertebrate diet influence the food composition of birds, especially species living in rapidly changing environments, such as the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known of the seasonal variation in invertebrate diet in response to environmental changes. Here, we characterized the invertebrate diet composition in pre- and post-breeding black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) using fecal metabarcoding. We identified 38 invertebrate genera; the top three were Tipula (82.1% of relative abundance), Ceramica (3.0%), and unclassified_Hymenoptera (2.5%), with Tipula predominated the diet in both seasons. We also observed 20 and 16 unique genera in the pre- and post-breeding periods, and the genera composition was distinct between seasons (R = .036, p = .024). In pre-breeding, black-necked cranes tended to consume more diverse foods, and individual cranes exhibited greater heterogeneity at the genus level. At the genera and species level, pre-breeding black-necked cranes showed a wider dietary niche than post-breeding cranes. We observed season-specific features, with Tipula (common crane fly) and Stethophyma (grasshoppers) being enriched in the post-breeding period and Ceramica (moth) being more abundant in the pre-breeding period. Three Tipula species had the greatest importance in discriminating between seasonal diets. This study demonstrated a seasonal pattern of invertebrate diet in the black-necked crane, suggesting diet composition in response to resource and species availability. These results elaborate on the foraging ecology of highland birds and can inform the management of black-necked crane conservation.

Feathers and faith: Sacred groves of semi-arid landscapes hold distinct avian richness and composition in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India

Sacred groves have long been recognised for their critical role in biodiversity conservation, but research on their importance in avian conservation is limited. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of bird diversity, richness, and abundance within sacred groves and their surrounding areas in the semi-arid landscape of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. We made 120 point counts (60 sacred groves and 60 random points) to record birds from March 2023 to July 2023. Our results revealed a greater number of bird species (n = 114) within sacred groves than random points (n = 100), including several species of global conservation concern. The species diversity remained consistent, while variations in species richness and abundance was observed. Moreover, we found that the overall composition of birds’ feeding guilds was similar in both groups. We observed noteworthy differences in the abundance of frugivores, granivores, insectivores, and omnivores. Species and guild-level abundance exhibited an even distribution. Species richness in both type of sites predominantly attributed to species turnover. Feeding guilds and bird species had varying associations to environmental variables. Our findings recommend the immediate protection of these sacred areas for bird conservation.

Low-intensity urbanisation alters community composition across multiple trophic levels on Lipsi Island, Greece.

Urbanisation has reduced the abundance and diversity of many taxonomic groups, and the effects may be more pronounced on islands, which have a smaller regional species pool to compensate. Green spaces within urban environments may help to safeguard wildlife assemblages, and the associated habitat heterogeneity can even increase species diversity. Here, total abundance and species diversity of butterflies, birds, and vegetation at nine rural and nine urban locations were quantified on Lipsi Island, Greece. Sites were assessed using Pollard walks for butterflies, point-count surveys for birds, and quadrats for vegetation. There was no significant difference in the abundance or species diversity of butterflies or vegetation among rural and urban locations, which could pertain to the low building density within urbanised areas and the minimal extent of urbanisation on the island. However, urban areas hosted a significantly greater abundance, richness, and diversity of birds compared to rural sites. The community composition of butterflies, birds, and vegetation also differed significantly between urban and rural locations, highlighting the impact of urbanisation on species across a broad range of trophic groups. This study contributes to ecological knowledge on the impacts of urbanisation across multiple trophic levels in island ecosystems, with comparisons across a gradient of island size and urbanisation intensity needed in future research.

Fragmentation, birds, and conservation of the "Polylepis" Forest in Southern Peru

In the southernmost Andean regions of Peru, Moquegua, and Tacna, close to Chile and Bolivia borders, large forest stands of Polylepis species are essential for the social, economic, and environmental functionality of six basins. However, the need for more knowledge about their ecology, limited conservation efforts, and insufficient technical capacities for territorial regulation could accelerate their structural and functioning deterioration. Using landscape ecology -interdisciplinary science shaped by geography and biology- we found that in four evaluated areas, the composition of birds (and therefore also the resources they use) is differentiated by the influence of landscape fragmentation. Only two protected areas were legally recognized in the region, but they were established to cover small and remote isolated territories, which makes it challenging to conserve them effectively. Due to the poverty conditions common among the local communities, extractive or pastoralist activities conducted in large areas can trigger higher forest fragmentation rates. Under these circumstances, the valuable ecosystem services in the study area would be permanently lost or maintained at high risk. Because of these risks, specific measures were proposed to improve the social-environmental management of the forest by implementing mechanisms aimed at generating sustainable economic benefits in a healthy environment and social peace.

Heterogeneric Diversity and Richness of Avifauna in a Degraded Landscape of Arial Beel in Bangladesh

Bird diversity and richness reflect the habitat quality of ecosystems. The species composition, diversity, and richness of birds were studied at Shologhar Union, a degraded landscape of Arial Beel, from March 2016 to February 2017, using line transect and point count methods. A total of 75 species of birds belonging to 14 orders and 35 families were recorded; most of them were residents (83%). Non-passerine birds were predominant (40 species, 53% of total species), with 18 families and 38 genera. Only one near-threatened species (Yellow Wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus) was recorded. Among resident birds, Baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) was dominant, and the Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) was predominant among migratory birds. Most species were terrestrial (51 spp., 68% of total birds), contributing only 23% of the population. The individual rarefaction revealed the highest species richness in March and the lowest in May and June. The highest population was recorded in winter (38%), and insectivore species (40%) were the highest. No significant seasonal variation occurred in the richness of birds (Kruskal-Wallis test: K = 0.05 df = 2, p = 0.971) and in different feeding guilds (Kruskal-Wallis test: K = 0.86, df = 5, p = 0.65). Ardeidae and Sturnidae represented the highest diversified families (6 species in each, RDi = 8), and Baya Weaver contributed the highest (26%) population. The presence of different species of birds suggests that this site could provide a suitable habitat for wild birds, and restoration management of this part of Arial Beel should require conserving the habitat of avifauna. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 19-44, 2023 (June)

Patterns of avian tree usage in the primeval temperate forests of Białowieża National Park.

Species distribution and resource utilization are a fundamental aspect of ecology. By analyzing the tree space usage by birds and determining the species composition of birds across different parts of trees, our study could shed light on the mechanisms shaping co-occurrence patterns in bird communities. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the species composition of birds across different parts of trees. We investigated whether species richness differs between positions on a tree and how these positions influence the probability of occurrence of the 10 most frequently observed bird species. To achieve this, we observed birds within permanent plots in Białowieża National Park (BNP) and analyzed the distribution patterns of birds within six vertical and three horizontal sectors of trees. The compositional dissimilarity between tree sectors was assessed using detrended correspondence analysis. We employed generalized linear mixed-effects models to examine differences in species richness. The majority of the BNP bird community was associated with the branches, while other birds occupied the tree crown trunks and the understory trunks. Species richness was the highest on branches in the crown part of trees, followed by lower species richness on trunks associated with crowns, and the lowest richness was observed on branches and trunks in the understory. These results indicate that branches in the middle and lower parts of the crown serve as avian diversity hotspots on trees, likely due to the abundance of various food sources. The differing patterns of tree usage by specific bird species may suggest the avoidance of interspecific competition for resources. The study results of tree usage by bird species obtained in the primeval forest provides a reference point for studies conducted in human-altered woods.

DISTRIBUSI DAN INVENTARISASI KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS BURUNG DI KAWASAN KAMPUS UNIVERSITAS SULAWESI BARAT DAN SEKITARNYA

DISTRIBUSI DAN INVENTARISASI KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS BURUNG DI KAWASAN KAMPUS UNIVERSITAS SULAWESI BARAT DAN SEKITARNYA

Preliminary checklist on species composition of small mammals and birds in Marine Research Excellence Centre (MAREC), Pulau Tuba.

Located in Langkawi archipelago, Andaman Sea, Pulau Tuba is one of the islands that is densely protected as a forest reserve. We investigated and documented the species composition of small mammals and birds at two different sites in the forest of UiTM Marine Research Excellence Centre (MAREC). Wire cage traps were used to capture non-volant small mammals while mist nets were used to capture bats and understorey birds. A total of 35 individuals were captured consisting of four species of small mammals and four species of birds. Among the most abundant species captured were Rattus tiomanicus, Leopoldamys sabanus and Cynopterus brachyotis. The calculated Shannon diversity index was 1.58 indicating a low diversity of small mammals and birds within the area. Our current study stipulated that few individuals were caught due to the rainy season affecting Pulau Tuba during the study period. Further surveys and studies should be conducted for a longer period in different seasons so that more species of fauna can be documented.

Species Richness and Composition of Forest Birds in Urban Parks and Reserves of Buenos Aires City, Argentina.

Urbanization is among the main factors of ecosystem transformation and threats to global biodiversity. Urban green spaces provide multiple services, being important for biodiversity and human well-being. However, the relationship between green spaces and forest birds has been scarcely studied in the Global South. In this work, we used citizen science data (eBird) to assess the variation in the species richness and composition of forest birds in two types of public urban green spaces characterized by different vegetation composition and management: parks and reserves. In general, reserves had more native and unmanaged vegetation than parks. We selected parks and reserves located in the coastal area of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sampling effort was considered as the number of checklists for each site. The database allowed information to be extracted from 12 sites and 33 species. The most common species were the Green-barred Woodpecker (Colaptes melanochloros), the Narrow-billed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris), and the White-crested Tyrannulet (Serpophaga subcristata). Bird species richness was higher in reserves than in parks and was positively related to sampling effort. The forest bird species composition varied according to the type of green area and sampling effort. Species composition showed a significant nestedness, with the least rich sites being a subset of species from the richest sites. Reserves and sites with the highest sampling effort concentrated all species. The results obtained show the importance of urban reserves in the conservation of forest birds.

Impact of Plasmodium relictum Infection on the Colonization Resistance of Bird Gut Microbiota: A Preliminary Study.

Avian malaria infection has been known to affect host microbiota, but the impact of Plasmodium infection on the colonization resistance in bird gut microbiota remains unexplored. This study investigated the dynamics of Plasmodium relictum infection in canaries, aiming to explore the hypothesis that microbiota modulation by P. relictum would reduce colonization resistance. Canaries were infected with P. relictum, while a control group was maintained. The results revealed the presence of P. relictum in the blood of all infected canaries. Analysis of the host microbiota showed no significant differences in alpha diversity metrics between infected and control groups. However, significant differences in beta diversity indicated alterations in the microbial taxa composition of infected birds. Differential abundance analysis identified specific taxa with varying prevalence between infected and control groups at different time points. Network analysis demonstrated a decrease in correlations and revealed that P. relictum infection compromised the bird microbiota's ability to resist the removal of taxa but did not affect network robustness with the addition of new nodes. These findings suggest that P. relictum infection reduces gut microbiota stability and has an impact on colonization resistance. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing strategies to enhance colonization resistance and maintain host health in the face of parasitic infections.

Species composition, relative abundance, and habitat association of birds in Dodola dry evergreen afro-montane forest and sub-afro-alpine scrubland vegetation, southeast Ethiopia.

Birds' functional groups are useful for maintaining fundamental ecological processes, ecosystem services, and economic benefits. Negative consequences of loss of functional groups are substantial. Birds are usually found at a high trophic level in food webs and are relatively sensitive to environmental change. The first surveillance bird study was carried out southeast of Ethiopia adjacent to Bale Mountain National Park aimed at investigating the composition, relative abundance, and distribution of Aves. Using regular systematic point transact sampling, the density and species composition were analyzed through the mark recapture distance sampling engine assisted by R statistical software. This study recorded a total of seventy-eight bird species over two distinct seasons. Among these, fifteen species were exclusive to Erica habitats, twenty-six were found in natural forest habitats, and three were specific to plantation forest habitats. The study also discovered three endemic species. Based on the 2018 IUCN Red List categories, six of the species are globally threatened, three are near threatened, and the remaining sixty-nine are classified as least concern. The relative abundance of birds did not significantly differ across habitats and seasons, but variations were observed among blocks. Bird density was found to fluctuate across the three habitats and two seasons; however, these habitat differences were not influenced by seasonal changes. The findings of this study reveal that the differences in composition and relative abundance are not merely seasonal changes in the forest and Erica habitats. Instead, these habitats create microclimates that cater to specific bird species. However, this localized endemism also presents challenges. The concentration of endemic species and potential resource constraints could pose a threat to these habitat-specialist birds.

The Nanling Mountains of southern China played a variable role as a barrier and refuge for birds depending upon landscape structure and timing of events

The Nanling Mountains, an important mountain range and watershed in south China, harbor a wealth of relictual plant species, and are considered a ‘museum' of subtropical biodiversity. With respect to birds, however, the roles of the Nanling Mountains in impeding the dispersal of the subtropical birds and, as a result, shaping their population and community structures have received little consideration. To examine these roles, we compiled and analyzed two datasets. 1) To test the mountains' influence on gene flow, we undertook a comparative phylogeographic study comparing mitochondrial COI and Cytb DNA sequences of five sylvioid resident bird species of the mountains (Huet's fulvetta Alcippe hueti, red‐billed leiothrix Leiothrix lutea, greater necklaced laughingthrush Pterorhinus pectoralis, Indochinese yuhina Staphida torqueola and mountain bulbul Ixos mcclellandii). 2) To examine differential community development over the history of modern birds, we examined distributional data of all species of the Nanling region using public species occurrence records. For part 1), we sampled 327 individuals from 36 sites and conducted correlation analysis of genetic and geographic distances, taking into account the landscape of the mountains. We found that the mountains do not seriously impede gene flow among populations but influenced species differently. For part 2), comparative analysis of 446 species in 81 families indicated that family membership influenced the community composition of birds in Nanling region. Variation in family distributions is attributable to both environmental and evolutionary factors. Overall, we found that the Nanling Mountains are not currently a substantial barrier to gene flow among the species we studied but act as a corridor and refuge for these birds. However, analyses on higher ranked community data suggest the mountains acted as a barrier in older times, corresponding to the known diversification events in southeast Asian avifauna.

Inventario de aves en dos humedales urbanos de Temuco (Chile): una base para el monitoreo de especies

Abstract: In the city of Temuco, Chile, the importance of urban wetlands has been recognized with the legal declaration of two key ecosystems: Humedal Vegas de Chivilcán and Humedales de Antumalén. This paper presents an inventory of birds in these wetlands, following the Darwin Core standard, and compares the results with other selected inventories in Chile. Observations were made using point counts and 21-hour transects. A total of 50 species from 26 families and 15 orders were identified, with a predominance of native species. Fourteen species were found in both wetlands, 20 exclusively in Chivilcán and 15 in Antumalén. Comparison with other studies revealed significant differences in bird composition between urban and peri-urban habitats, illustrating that urban habitats maintain a unique diversity distinct from that of peri-urban areas. The diversity of habitats and the ‘least concern’ status of most species highlight the importance of these wetlands as refuges for avian biodiversity. The structure of the Darwin Core database facilitates their integration with other biodiversity systems, highlighting the need for continued conservation and study of these urban ecosystems.