Bird Mark Research Articles

Evaluating the potential effects of capturing and handling on subsequent observations of a migratory passerine through individual acoustic monitoring

Ringing is the most common technique used for individual marking of passerine birds, informing understanding of many aspects of their behaviour and ecology. Birds caught for ringing may also be substantially handled before release (e.g. to obtain biometric data, blood or feather samples), and all such procedures may affect the subsequent behaviour of a captured individual. Previous field studies that have assessed the potential effects of capturing and handling birds have nevertheless, to date, lacked an entirely independent unhandled control. In this study, we used individual acoustic monitoring to compare the apparent survival and re‐encounter probabilities of male tree pipits Anthus trivialis that were captured with mist nets and intensively handled (measured, blood‐sampled and ringed) with those of a control group of unhandled birds tracked solely by their vocalization. There were no differences between handled and unhandled birds in apparent survival rates, either in simple annual estimates, or in jointly estimated within‐ and between‐breeding season survival estimates. Re‐encounter probabilities in the latter analysis peaked at the start of the breeding season, when song activity would be expected to be greatest, but were higher for handled than unhandled birds in mid‐ to late May. Apart from demonstrating that tree pipits were not affected in the long‐term by capture and associated handling, our study confirms that individual acoustic monitoring is a valuable non‐intrusive method for long‐term monitoring studies.

Light and territoriality : A preliminary report on a capture-recapture study of common Blackbird (Turdus Merula)

The natural light conditions and the artificial lighting of the habitats affect the quality of bird territories and the territorial behaviour of birds. However, we know almost nothing about the evolutionary consequences of light on birds. In the biomonitoring part of the project entitled “ Development of international research environment for light pollution studies”, which is carried on in Bárdudvarnok in Somogy county, Hungary, we study the apparent survival probability, adaptive morphological characteristics and area fidelity in Common Blackbird populations living in territories under different light conditions. In this preliminary report, we also describe the methods of our studies - individual marking of birds, capture and recapture, measurement of body weight, wing length and other ecomorphological parameters - and the types of data collected. Based on the outcomes of the data collection planned to continue for several years, we can formulate proposals for the design and application of artificial lighting resulting in the reduction of the adverse effects of light pollution.

Visible marking of wader nests to avoid damage by farmers does not increase nest predation

SummaryOnly a few studies have assessed the predation risk on artificially marked nests, or have examined ways of marking nests to avoid destruction by machinery. Until now, however, neither type of study has directly addressed this apparent trade-off experimentally. The impact of marking the nests of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus with thin 2 m-long conspicuous bamboo poles with the top end highlighted with reflective red or orange spray has been tested for three years in two breeding areas of waders in the Czech Republic. A total of 52 pairs of nests on agricultural land, with each pair consisting of one marked nest and one unmarked reference counterpart nest, were monitored for 2004 nest-days until hatching, agricultural operations or failure. The results proved that marking itself does not result in increased nest predation. The nests found in the early incubation stage were under higher threat of depredation, irrespective of the presence of marking. Our results show that it is possible to find a finely-tuned trade-off in nest marking of ground-nesting birds between risk of damage by agricultural machinery and risk of increased nest predation. Our positive experience with Northern Lapwing, and episodically with three other wader species in the Czech Republic, suggests that this direct nest protection could be used effectively for a wider variety of ground-nesting birds.

Case history. “Coral snake” Micrurus mipartitus bite in 1968. A herpetologist's ordeal

Historical clinical case that presented back in 1968 at a time when respiratory support and intensive care techniques were just emerging, with many shortcomings in hospital care areas and monitoring devices. The case is of a 58 year-old patient, outstanding citizen, recent winner in a television contest on snakes, who was bitten accidentally by a coral snake Micrurus mipartitus. The poison of this snake is a macromolecule that induces complete depolarizing muscle blockade which, if not reverted, leads to death from respiratory failure. A group of social leaders in the region managed to obtain the specific anti-venom that was not produced in the country, as well as the mechanical ventilation equipment, a negative pressure “iron lung” and a Bird Mark 7 positive pressure device. Manual ventilation was initiated by the anaesthesia team with the support of the medical students. Then, with the Bird Mark 7, the patient survived under empirical “intensive” care after 17 days of respiratory depression and 33 days in the hospital. Voluntary contributions of the community in an effort to solve the clinical problem are narrated.

Caso clínico histórico. Mordedura de serpiente «rabo de ají» en el año de 1968. Viacrucis de un herpetólogo

Historical clinical case that presented back in 1968 at a time when respiratory support and intensive care techniques were just emerging, with many shortcomings in hospital care areas and monitoring devices. The case is of a 58 year-old patient, outstanding citizen, recent winner in a television contest on snakes, who was bitten accidentally by a coral snake Micrurus mipartitus. The poison of this snake is a macromolecule that induces complete depolarizing muscle blockade which, if not reverted, leads to death from respiratory failure. A group of social leaders in the region managed to obtain the specific anti-venom that was not produced in the country, as well as the mechanical ventilation equipment, a negativepressure «iron lung» and a Bird Mark 7 positive pressure device. Manual ventilation was initiated by the anaesthesia team with the support of the medical students. Then, with the Bird Mark 7, the patient survived under empirical «intensive» care after 17 days of respiratory depression and 33 days in the hospital. Voluntary contributions of the community in an effort to solve the clinical problem are narrated.

A review of survival estimates for raptors and owls

This paper reviews the literature on survival estimates for different species of raptors and owls, examines the methods used to obtain the estimates, and draws out some general patterns arising. Estimating survival usually involves the marking of birds so that they can be recognized as individuals on subsequent encounters. Annual survival can then be estimated from: (1) birds ringed at known age (usually as nestlings) and subsequently reported by members of the public (usually as found dead), the ratio of recoveries at different ages being used to calculate annual survival; (2) marked breeding adults, trapped or re‐sighted in subsequent years in particular study areas, with the proportion re‐trapped (or re‐sighted) in each year being taken as the minimum annual survival; (3) live encounter (trapped or re‐sighted) of birds marked either as nestlings or breeding adults analysed using the capture–mark–recapture (or re‐sighting) methods to estimate annual survival; (4) a combination of reports of known‐age dead birds and re‐trapping/re‐sighting of live birds; (5) use of radio‐ or satellite‐tracking to follow the fates of individuals; and (6) the integration of these methods with other information, such as change in numbers between years, to derive estimates of survival and other demographic parameters. Studies confined to particular areas usually give estimates of ‘apparent annual survival’, because they take no account of birds that leave the area. However, radio‐ or satellite‐tracking makes it possible to estimate true survival, including survival of prebreeders that have low natal‐site fidelity (this usually requires satellite telemetry). As in other birds, the preferred method for estimating survival has changed over time, as new and more robust methods of estimation have been developed. Methods 1 and 2 were the first to be developed, but without statistical underpinning, while methods 3–6 were developed later on the basis of formal statistical models. This difference has to be borne in mind in comparing older with newer estimates for particular species. Published survival estimates were found for three species of Cathartidae, one of Pandionidae, 29 of Accipitridae, 12 of Falconidae, one of Tytonidae and nine of Strigidae, almost all from temperate Northern Hemisphere species. In most of these species more than one estimate was available, and in some separate estimates for different age or sex groups. The main patterns to emerge included: (1) a significant tendency for annual adult survival to increase with body weight, smaller species having annual survival rates mainly of 60–70%, medium‐sized species having rates mainly in the range 70–90% and the largest having rates of > 90%, in the absence of obvious human‐caused losses; (2) a lower survival in the first or prebreeding years of life than in subsequent years; (3) a lack of obvious or consistent differences in survival between the sexes, where these could be distinguished; and (4) in the few species for which enough data were available, a decline in annual survival rates in the later years of life.

Immediate effects of capture on nest visits of breeding blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, are substantial

Although capture, handling and marking of birds as well as taking samples from them are ubiquitous and, in most cases, unavoidable procedures in ornithological research, their immediate effects on the individuals remain largely unstudied. Here, we present data over 3 years from a long-term field study on the breeding biology of the blue tit. Parents were captured at the nest when feeding 9–11-day-old young. For all birds, we measured the time of their first visit to the nest after capture and could thus establish their latency of return to the nest. After capture, parents stayed away a surprisingly long time (average 4.2 h, up to 18 h) and nests were not visited by either parent for a duration that almost never occurred under natural conditions. Parental return latencies were strongly associated with previous captures. Birds caught, marked and sampled previously returned on average 4.4 h earlier than new birds. Still these birds took on average 1.9 h to return. Thus, capture itself can have strong effects on immediate behaviour. Once the birds returned to the nest, the time between nest visits was similar to that observed before capture, indicating that birds resumed normal feeding activities. Return latencies of parents and the time nests were left alone had no long-term effects on offspring or breeding success. We discuss possible causes of delayed parental return and methodological implications.

Wing marker woes: a case study and meta-analysis of the impacts of wing and patagial tags

The marking of individual birds has a long history in ornithology. This inexpensive and simple practice has been used to shed light on migration, behavior, and age-specific survival and recruitment. However, problems associated with markers and tags have often been overlooked. Wing tags have been used for over 40 years on frigatebirds, but their effects on this family of highly aerial seabirds have not been examined. Following higher than expected nest failure of treatment birds in the previous breeding season, we designed a study to test the impact of wing tagging and other standard capture and sampling methods on the nest success of Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). Twelve nests were assigned to each of various band, measure, bleed, wing tag, and control treatments in the 2010/2011 breeding season on Barbuda, West Indies. We modeled nest fates using generalized linear models. Wing tags had a substantial negative effect on pre-fledging nest success, which was 42 % (10/24) for control nests, 39 % (14/36) for all non wing-tagged treatments, and 15 % (7/48) for wing-tagged treatments. We also conducted two meta-analyses, with different effect size calculations, to explore the general impact of wing and patagial tags on all birds. Our log odds ratio model showed a significant effect on survival and hatch and nest success, while our standardized mean difference model dealing largely with outcomes of behavioral, condition, and reproductive parameters (e.g., number of chicks and hatch date) showed no difference between marked and control birds. We consider possible mechanisms by which wing tags might contribute to lower nest success in frigatebirds, and propose that alternative markers be considered carefully before being applied to any species.

Hummingbirds at artificial flowers made to resemble ornithophiles versus melittophiles

Certain floral characteristics are associated with specific pollinators. Hummingbird-pollinated flowers are usually red, lack a landing platform, lack nectar guides, and contain a high amount of dilute sucrose-rich nectar. Here we test hypotheses concerning the reasons for these characters to the extent that they involve hummingbird responses. An array was set up of 16 artificial plants, each with five artificial flowers. (1) Flowers made to differ only in colour elicited a slight preference for red. (2) When colour was associated with nectar offerings, and birds generally learned to visit flowers that provided much more nectar but did not associatively learn differences as little as 2 µL. (3) Birds were offered 8 µL of 12% sucrose versus 2 µL of 48% hexose, and they did not prefer the dilute nectar; they showed no evidence of discerning sucrose from hexose; however, they preferred 48% over 12% sucrose when both were offered in the same quantity. (4) Birds preferred flowers that lacked landing platforms over those with landing platforms. (5) Birds were offered flowers with nectar guides, associated with differing nectar volumes, and they did not associate the higher nectar reward with either flower type. In summary, the feedback from hummingbirds reflects some of the differences between bird- and bee-adapted flowers, but nectar seemed less predictive than expected. Factors other than the behavioural proclivities of hummingbirds, such as adaptation to discourage bees, are discussed as additional causes for the differences between the syndromes. We also discuss significance testing for field experiments involving one unreplicated array. Editors’ comment: The authors and reviewers disagreed about some aspects of the experimental design (e.g. necessity of marking of individual birds) and how the data should be treated (e.g. analysing only first visits versus including all data). On balance the editors decided that publication of this study gives readers the opportunity to make up their own minds about the results as presented.

Changes in ring recovery rates over the last 50 years: shall we continue to ring ducks?

Although knowledge of ring recovery rate is of crucial importance to establish demographic parameters, such as survival probability, this information is generally unknown for the dabbling ducks. The almost single existing value from the North American Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is thus generally applied to other species or geographic areas, even though this assumption may be strongly misleading. In the study reported here, we have relied on a proxy for actual ring recovery rate, namely, the proportion of rings fitted each year that were eventually reported, to test for differences between duck species (Mallard and Teal Anas crecca) and between countries [England (UK) and France] for Teal. Potential trends over time (1952–2005) were also assessed. Ring recovery rate was found to have sharply decreased and at a similar rate over time in both species in France, and in both countries for Teal (e.g. from 22.7% in 1952 to 7.2% in 1992 for the British Teal). Teal rings were, however, reported more frequently than Mallard ones, and Teal rings were more frequently reported in the UK than in France. In recent years, a phone number for reporting the information has been included on the bird mark, with the immediate result of a doubling in the recovery rate in France. Adaptations to current ringing procedures that would improve ring reporting would appear to be necessary in the future if researchers are to keep ringing as a valuable source of information for bird demography studies.

Introducing Paul: The Man, His Mission, and His Message – By Michael F. Bird

Religious Studies ReviewVolume 36, Issue 1 p. 76-77 Introducing Paul: The Man, His Mission, and His Message – By Michael F. Bird Mark A. Jennings, Mark A. Jennings Marquette UniversitySearch for more papers by this author Mark A. Jennings, Mark A. Jennings Marquette UniversitySearch for more papers by this author First published: 22 March 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-0922.2010.01405_24.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume36, Issue1March 2010Pages 76-77 RelatedInformation

The value of ringing for bird conservation

Ringing has been an important research tool for the conservation biologist over the last 100 years. Effective conservation of wild bird populations requires understanding of bird ecology and of the factors driving population change, and evidence that proposed conservation measures can be effective. Bird‐ringing studies can provide a wide range of data types to aid and inform this process, and in many cases these data are not available without the capture and marking of individual birds. We review the range of information available from bird ringing, and illustrate this with case studies where ringing has made a key contribution to the knowledge and subsequent conservation action applied to a particular bird population. The value to bird conservation is typically higher where a ringing study is well designed and targeted to answer specific questions of relevance to conservation. Therefore, there is potential for the conservation value of ringing to be improved in future through the development and encouragement of structured and targeted ringing projects, the integration of different data types collected from ringing, and increased collaboration between groups of ornithologists, including ringers and non‐ringers.

Adaptação do Bird Mark 7 para oferta de pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas em ventilação não-invasiva: estudo em modelo mecânico

To test the efficiency of the Bird Mark 7 ventilator adapted to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. This was an experimental study using a mechanical model of the respiratory system. A Bird Mark 7 ventilator was supplied with 400 and 500 kPa and tested at CPAP of 5, 10 and 15 cmH2O. The following variables were analyzed: difference between the preset CPAP and the CPAP actually attained CPAP (trueCPAP); area of airway pressure at the CPAP level employed (AREA CPAP); and tidal volume generated. Adapting the Bird Mark 7 to offer CPAP achieved the expected tidal volume in all situations of inspiratory effort (normal or high), ventilator pressure supply (400 or 500 kPa) and CPAP value (5, 10 or 15 cmH2O). At a CPAP of 5 or 10 cmH2O, the trueCPAP was near the preset level, and the AREA CPAP was near zero. However, at a CPAP of 15 cmH2O, the value remained below the preset, and the AREA CPAP was high. The efficiency of Bird Mark 7 adaptation in offering CPAP was satisfactory at 5 and 10 cmH2O but insufficient at 15 cmH2O. If adapted as described in our study, the Bird Mark 7 might be an option for offering CPAP up to 10 cmH2O in areas where little or no equipment is available.

Historical Perspectives

Historical Perspectives

Effect of high frequency oscillatory ventilation on fluid filtration rate in isolated perfused rabbit lungs.

We have studied the effect of changing ventilatory frequency (VF) of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) on fluid filtration rate (FFR) in twelve isolated rabbit lungs perfused at constant blood flow. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), mean left atrial pressure (Pla), airway pressure (Paw), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), pH, O2 and CO2 partial arterial pressures (PaO2 and PaCO2) and plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP), were measured. We ventilated the lungs with a modified Bird Mark 7 ventilator which could achieve HFOV (range 5-30 Hertz). In each experiment VF was randomly varied on ten different occasions, maintaining each variation for ten minutes. The first group of six rabbits was ventilated under normal haemodynamic conditions. The other six rabbits were ventilated after the production of hydrostatic lung oedema. Blood gas exchange in both groups of rabbits was satisfactory. There was no statistically significant correlation between VF and FFR. We conclude that variations in VF using HFOV does not alter lung fluid balance in normal and in hydrostatic oedema rabbit lungs.

A phrenic nerve-actuated electronically controlled positive-pressure ventilator.

We have constructed an electronically controlled positive-pressure ventilator actuated by phrenic neural activity for use in open-chested or paralyzed experimental animals for the study of breathing pattern. A Bird Mark 14 positive-pressure ventilator was modified such that flow is a linear function of a command signal. Flow is delivered by advancing an air valve with a servo-motor that is controlled by one of three different operational modes. In two of the modes, the difference between the electronic average of inspiratory phrenic activity (moving average) and a feedback signal determines the inspiratory flow. The feedback signal is derived from either tracheal pressure or an electronic measure of inspired volume. In the third mode, the moving average is differentiated to provide control of inspiratory flow and volume. Physiological flow profiles were created using all three operational modes. Integration of an air-valve position signal provides an electronic measure of tidal volume. An additional feature of this ventilator allows inspiratory flow and duration to be predetermined for a given breath.

Ventilation of a rat with a large-animal respirator.

Rats were effectively ventilated with 100% O2 mixed with room air utilizing a modified tracheostomy tube and a Bird Mark 7 respirator to maintain arterial blood gases within normal limits. A 3-cm segment of rubber pilot tubing was attached to a 15-mm respiratory connector and a 3-cm piece of polyethylene catheter tubing was fitted snugly into the other end. The catheter was inserted and secured into the trachea of 250- to 500-g Sprague-Dawley rats with the adaptor hose of the respirator fitted onto the 15-mm connector following tracheostomy. Manometer and inspiratory flow rate controls of the respirator were set to their minimum operating position. Appropriate rate control adjustments were made when necessary as determined by arterial blood gas measurements. By use of the above ventilation system, adequate arterial blood gases of anesthesized rats can be maintained for greater than 3 h.

Registration and marking of captive birds of prey

Registration and marking of captive birds of prey

Registration and marking of captive birds of prey

Registration and marking of captive birds of prey

The bird Mark 8 time cycled servo ventilator

A bird Mark 8 ventilator has been modified by a time cycled servo mechanism to function as an inexpensive ventilator with high peak pressure capabilities. This system was designed to deliver IMV-PEEP therapy at levels not usually available on commercial ventilators. IMV rate can be varied from 1 to 60/min, Vt from 0.1 to 2 liters. Inspiratory pressure in excess of 200 torr and PEEP from 1 to 25 torr can be generated. Modifications to the Mark 8 cost $750.00. The ventilator has been successfully used in over 100 patients. Transport and operating room use are facilitated because it is solely pneumatically powered. Thus, an inexpensive, reliable and versatile ventilatory support system with high peak pressure capabilities has been developed and successfully used.