Black-winged Stilt Himantopus Research Articles

Effects of foraging mode and group pattern on vigilance behavior in water birds: a case study of mallard and black-winged stilt

Vigilance behavior is affected by many factors including foraging mode and group pattern which we attempted to understand through a case study of mallard Anas platyrhynchos and black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus in the Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve, China. Mallard, a swimming bird, forages in irregular and loose circular groups in open water and its foraging mode (with its head underwater looking for food) does not allow for simultaneous monitoring of potential threats above the water surface, which is why its foraging is called “blind period of foraging”. In contrast, black-winged stilt is a wading bird and forages along riversides in long linear foraging groups. Its long beak, neck and legs enable it to scan around while foraging without any obviously blind period. We used the focal sampling method and measured vigilance behavior by the time spent vigilant, vigilance frequency, average duration of vigilance, alert distance and flee distance for the two species. We predicted higher levels of vigilance and longer alert and flee distance in mallard with long blind periods of foraging. Our results indicated significant differences (p

Waterbird community changes in the Wilderness Lakes, South Africa (Part 2 of 3): Shorebirds

Globally, many shorebirds, particularly the smaller migratory waders are declining, which can be attributed to multiple factors throughout their ranges. The Wilderness Lakes Complex in South Africa comprises two estuarine systems, that support diverse waterbird communities, including 17 abundant shorebirds. The study aimed to document long-term spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of shorebirds in the Wilderness Lakes Complex, and where possible identify potential causes for observed trends. The abundance of waterbirds on these wetlands was determined biannually from 1992 to 2019, with counts conducted from a boat following a standardised route. Historical abundance data from the 1980s were also used to describe long-term abundance changes. Ten shorebirds showed seasonal differences in abundances. Significant long-term decreases in abundance have occurred in seven shorebirds (Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Ruff Philomachus pugnax, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus) and increases in three species (African Spoonbill Platalea alba, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus). Similar types of population changes occurred across multiple waterbodies and in different seasons. The similarity of shorebird abundance trends in spatially separated wetlands suggests either high interconnectivity of populations between wetlands systems and/or prominent drivers of change being broad scaled rather than system specific. Local reasons for changes potentially include the increasing spread of emergent macrophytes and resultant loss of open sandbanks, changing hydrodynamics, and alien fish proliferation, all likely changing food accessibility, as well as periodic high disturbance by waterbody users.Conservation implications: Changes in the abundances of several shorebirds, particularly small migratory waders, are substantial, with multiple likely local, regional and international drivers acting accumulatively. Recommended corrective actions include continuing involvement in the development and implementation of policies for waterbird conservation, and local management of emergent macrophytes, disturbance, and water level variability.

The avifauna of Biak Island, Papua, Indonesia with comments on status, conservation, natural history and taxonomy

New Guinea and its satellite islands are justly renowned for their spectacular and highly diverse, endemic avifauna. The oceanic island of Biak and its satellites, in Teluk Cenderawasih (formerly Geelvink Bay), Papua province, Indonesia, has an avifauna of c.159 species including the largest number of endemics of any island in the New Guinea region: seven species are strictly endemic to Biak and another six are shared with other Teluk Cenderawasih islands but not Yapen. Despite Biak attaining an elevation of c.1,034 m there are no species whose range on Biak is known to be entirely montane. We provide a physical description of Biak and its twin Supiori, and discuss the biogeography and conservation of their birds. We present a detailed checklist of all species recorded to date. Since the publication in 1939 of Mayr & Meyer de Schauensee, 66 species have been added to the Biak list, of which Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus and Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus are new for the entire Australo-Papuan region and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea only the second for the region and first for New Guinea; 47 of these additions are also first records for any island in Teluk Cenderawasih. An appendix summarises the distribution and status of birds in Teluk Cenderawasih (excluding mainland New Guinea species only on Yapen).

Distribution of breeding waterbirds in relation to wetland characteristics in the Oued Righ valley in the Algerian Sahara

Abstract In the framework of this study 14 breeding species were identified in the wetland complex of the Oued Righ valley in the Algerian Sahara. Six species of breeding Anatidae were reported, two of which are classified as vulnerable and threatened, namely, the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca and the marbled teal Marmaronetta angustirostris. For shorebirds, we noted reproduction of the pied avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, the black-winged stilt Himantopus Himantopus, and the Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus in most of the wetlands studied. We report for the first time nesting of the slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus genei at Chott Merouane with 72 pairs recorded during the breeding season 2018. This colony was associated with the larger colony of greater flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus composed of 640 pairs. Principal component analysis (PCA), gathering 69.74% of the information, showed a significant correlation between the distribution of different bird species and the main environmental factors, that is, vegetation, water surface area, water depth, and salinity, and a strong correlation between the species of Annatidae and Rallidae, which are associated with less-saline environments rich in vegetation and deep water, with the exception of shelducks, which prefer large surface areas with less-dense vegetation and more holomorphic water. For the shorebirds such as R. avosetta and H. himantopus, there was a clear preference for large wetlands with shallow water and relatively high salinity. A remarkable correlation was also noted for P. roseus, where a strong distribution of breeding populations was observed in areas with the highest salinity levels and a vast surface area.

Breeding of black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus in muddy sites of a wastewater treatment plant

A stable group of birds has been formed at water treatment facilities. Sewage treatment sites are a well-known nesting place for long-legged waders. Black-winged stilts are included in the Bonn (Appendix II) and Berne (Appendix II) conventions, the AEWA agreement. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (1994, 2009) (status – vulnerable). In Ukraine, it is under protection on the territory of the natural reserve fund. The arrival of black-winged stilts waders at the nesting sites was recorded in the second-third decade of April (April 23, 2020; April 17, 2021). Immediately after returning to the nesting areas, the birds begin to build nests and lay eggs. The first eggs in this population were seen on 01.05.2020, 07.05.2021. The process of laying eggs lasted until the end of the first decade of July (08.07.2020). The average clutch size in the nests of Himantopus himantopus decreased from 3.8 ± 0.1 (2020) to 3.5 ± 0.1 (2021). The average egg sizes and their limits have been determined for long-legged waders. The chicks hatched from late May (30.05.2020), throughout June to the first decade of July (02.07.2020). The chicks were able to fly in a month – 29.06.2020. The muddy site of the wastewater treatment ponds of Kharkiv supported Black-winged Stilts until early August. Later, the birds started post-breeding movements. The last adults with juvenile birds were observed on 13.08.2020. Stilts in some years may stay until early October. The reproductive success of the black-winged stilt increased from 35.6% (2020) to 38.8% (2021). On average, 1.3 ± 0.2 (2020) and 1.4 ± 0.3 (2021) chicks fledged from the nests. In 2021, the number of nesting stilts increased, which is apparently due to rainy weather at the beginning of the reproductive period. For the purpose of more effective protection, the nesting settlements of the stilt should be protected and the appearance of people in the nesting places should be prohibited.

The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus in Senegal and The Gambia: notes on its breeding ecology

The Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus in Senegal and The Gambia: notes on its breeding ecology

Some chewing lice (Phthiraptera) species as ectoparasites infested aquatic birds with a new record of three species from Al-Sanaf marsh/ southern Iraq

The present study was carried out to determine additional chewing lice of aquatic birds and additional data on the prevalence of chewing lice in aquatic birds found on the Southern marshes of Iraq. Sixty-nine of different species of aquatic birds were randomly collected and examined for chewing lice in Al-Sanaf marsh, which is located in Thi-Qar province / Southern Iraq, between October 2016 and February 2017, the lice placed in tubes containing 70% ethanol after that they cleared, mounted and identified according to morphological features. Twenty-five (36.23%) out of 69 aquatic birds were infested with chewing lice, a total of six lice species were identified from birds in the current study included Piagetiella titan and Pectinopygus forficulatus infested White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, Actornithophilus piceus lari infested Slender-billed Gull Larus geni, Actornithophilus himantopi infested Black-Winged stilt Himantopus himantopus, Rallicola fulicae isolated from coot Fulica atra and Rallicola parani infested moorhen Gallinula chloropus. Three lice species: Pectinopygus forficulatus, Rallicola fulicae and Rallicola parani were recorded in current study for the first time in Iraq. We need further investigations of Phthiraptera fauna are very important, not only to complete the list, but also to provide information about parasite-host vector relationships and phylogenetic relation among species.

New record of Haematotrephus nittanyense (Zeliff ,1946) Parasitized in the respiratory system of Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus and White tailed Plover Chettusia leucura birds in Thi Qar Province - Iraq

New record of Haematotrephus nittanyense (Zeliff ,1946) Parasitized in the respiratory system of Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus and White tailed Plover Chettusia leucura birds in Thi Qar Province - Iraq

Alternative habitat: the importance of the Nanpu Saltpans for migratory waterbirds in the Chinese Yellow Sea

SummaryThe natural coastal wetlands of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) are disappearing at alarming rates, leading to rapid declines of many populations of waterbirds in the most species-rich flyway in the world. The identification and assessment of possible alternative habitats that may buffer the loss of natural wetlands should, therefore, be a priority for the conservation of migratory waterbirds using this flyway. Coastal saltpans are functional wetlands that support large numbers of waterbirds worldwide. The Nanpu Saltpans in the northern Bohai Bay of the Yellow Sea in China are one of the largest (290 km2) saltpan complexes in the world. In this paper, we document the value of the Nanpu Saltpans for supporting waterbirds. The surveys, carried out from 2013 to 2016, included waterbird counts in the saltpans (93 km2) at high and low tide and on the adjacent natural tidal flats (57 km2) at low tide. Of the 89 waterbird species recorded, 27 had maximum counts exceeding the 1% threshold value of estimated flyway populations. The maximum counts of waterbirds in northward migration and southward migration in the Nanpu Saltpans were 96,000 and 93,500, respectively, including both foraging and roosting birds; these figures do not account for turnover, so the total number of birds using the site is likely to be higher. The maximum counts on the adjacent tidal flats at low tide amounted to 73,000 and 20,000 waterbirds during northward and southward migration, respectively, and most of them were foraging birds. In the boreal winter, few birds fed in the saltpans, but several thousand fed on the tidal flats. Waterbirds used the inland ponds (2.0–18.0 km from the intertidal area) mainly for feeding both during low tide and high tide and used the nearshore ponds (0.3–4.3 km from the intertidal area) mainly for high-tide roosting. Some species, such as Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, and Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, occurred mainly in the saltpans; other species preferred tidal flats, such as Red Knot Calidris canutus, Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Relict Gull Larus relictus, and Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola. This study clearly demonstrates the joint ecological function of the Nanpu Saltpan complex and adjacent tidal flats as a key staging area for waterbirds in the EAAF, and as such both urgently warrant protected status.

New record of Haematotrephus nittanyense (Zeliff ,1946) Parasitized in the respiratory system of Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus and White tailed Plover Chettusia leucura birds in Thi Qar Province - Iraq

Digenetic trematode, Haematotrephus nittanyense is isolated from respiratory system of Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus and White-tailed Plover Chettusia Leucurus,shot in Al- Chibayish marshes , Eastern of ThiQar province from December 2012 to November 2013 .The Prevalence in those birds are 17.03 , 2.15 % respectively .Mean intensity of infection 2.8 , 1.2 respectively.. This trematode is recorded for the first time in Iraqibirds,taxonomically described and illustrated.

Nest Success of Black-Winged StiltHimantopus himantopusand Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusin Rice Fields, Southwest Spain

We monitored nests of Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus and Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus breeding in rice fields near the Doñana National Park (southwest Spain) during the breeding seasons 2005–2007. We used a logistic-exposure method to calculate nest success and examined daily nest survival as a function of year, locality, nest age, and date. Nest success was also calculated using a model assuming constant nest survival through time (equivalent to the Mayfield method). Daily nest survival increased during incubation in Black-winged Stilt, probably due to a higher predation risk during the first days of incubation. Daily nest survival in Kentish Plover showed little variation in relation to nest age, suggesting a constant but lower predation rate. Nest survival also varied with date in Kentish Plover and showed higher values in the middle of the nesting season. The nest success of Black-winged Stilt and Kentish Plover breeding in rice fields (50% and 45%, respectively, based on the Mayfield method) was within the range of nest success reported in stable populations breeding in natural habitats. The observations suggest that rice fields adjacent to the marshes of the Doñana National Park are an important additional breeding habitat for the two wader species studied.

Occupancy Patterns of Irrigation Ponds by Black-Winged StiltsHimantopus himantopus

The occupancy of 35 irrigation ponds by the black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus in southeastern Spain was analysed. The frequency of pond use was noted during 2002–2008 and settlement order and breeding abundance were monitored in 2008. Eight pond attributes were assessed for each pond and related to pond use during the breeding season. Some ponds were used more than others, those that had been most used previously being occupied first and by the greatest numbers in 2008. Pond design was the most explicative variable, alongside size and presence of vegetation.

セイタカシギの二雌トリオの抱卵・育雛活動

1997-2007年にセイタカシギの一夫二妻（二雌トリオ）の抱卵活動について，共同巣に産卵した3例，同時的2巣に産卵した2例，そして継時的3巣に産卵した1例について調査を行った。共同巣を持った1例目の両親と娘からなるトリオは，両親のみが抱卵活動を行った。2例目の3羽の成鳥からなるトリオは，全ての成員が抱卵活動に参与したが，優位雌が抱卵中の劣位雌を巣から追い出す妨害をたびたび行った。3例目の両親と娘からなるトリオでは，すべての成員が抱卵活動に協同的に従事した。同時的2巣を持った2例のトリオでは，すべての成員が両巣の抱卵に関与したが，両巣への関わりの程度は個体により異なった。継時的3巣を持った1例のトリオでは雄は3巣すべての抱卵活動に参与し，優位雌は第1と第3の巣の抱卵に，劣位雌は第2と第3の巣の抱卵に参与した。共同巣では，各個体にとって1羽で二腹全ての卵を抱卵することは物理的に難しかった。同時的2巣と継時的3巣では雄が劣位雌の巣よりも優位雌の巣でより多くの抱卵活動を行った。トリオでの孵化成功の割合は一夫一妻のつがいと較べ有意差はなかった。そのためセイタカシギのトリオ形成は雛の孵化に関しては一夫一妻の場合と較べて利益があるとは言えなかった。雛の孵化には共同巣を持った1例のトリオと同時的2巣を持った1例のトリオ，そして継時的3巣を持ったトリオが成功した。育雛活動に関しては，継時的3巣を除いた2つのトリオでは，全ての成員が育雛なわばりの防衛に貢献した。中でも同時的2巣のトリオでは全ての成員が抱雛活動，雛の防衛活動，育雛なわばりの見張り活動にも貢献した。トリオ形成は一夫一妻のつがいに較べ，つがいの育雛行動の負担が軽減される点で利益があると言える。

Mercury Pollution in Three Species of Waders from Shadegan Wetlands at the Head of the Persian Gulf

Persian Gulf supports diverse ecosystems and biota in need of remediation and protection, and metal data from this region is needed. Mercury (Hg) in tissues of three waders (Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantous, Red-wattled Plover Hoplopterus indicus, and White-tailed Plover Vanellus leucurus) from Shadegan Wetlands is reported. Black-winged Stilt had higher Hg in feather (6.6 +/- 0.6 microg/g dry weight), liver (3.5 +/- 1 microg/g dry weight), kidney (4.5 +/- 0.8 microg/g dry weight) and muscle (1.2 +/- 0.2 microg/g dry weight) (not statistically significant). Differences in Hg among waders could have resulted from diverse feeding habitats and dissimilar foraging sites.

Bigamous Trios in the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus himantopus: I. Pathways to form Bigamous Trios

Six cases of bigamous trios in the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus himantopus were studied during 1997-2006. One cause for the occurrence of bigamous trios is that postbreeding groups composed of a parent and a female offspring of the previous year, or that of a family and an unrelated female, have not dissolved by the next breeding season. Under conditions of a female-biased sex ratio in the non-breeding season, some females may chose bigamous trios as one of three mating options. In one trio, one female left the trio just before egg-laying, after they began to defend the nesting territory. Two bigamous trios made a joint nest, respectively. One bigamous trio made two simultaneous nests. One bigamous trio made a joint nest in one year and two simultaneous nests the following year. One bigamous trio made three nests successively.

The effect of different Rice Oryza sativa cultivation methods on nest-site location and nesting success in Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus in reclaimed areas of South Korea

Rice Oryza sativa fields are important surrogate habitats for many organisms. We monitored a colony of Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus in rice fields, in the Seosan reclamation area of South Korea, from 1998-2005. Two methods of rice cultivation were employed there 1: aerial seeding on a large scale using planes 2: the traditional method of rice replanting, where rice seedlings are replanted after ploughing. The latter method destroyed all nests and was increasingly used over time as farmland was sold off to private farmers. Most nests were destroyed because the timing of ploughing and replanting overlapped with the nesting period of the Black-winged Stilt. We monitored the break-up of the colony into sub-colonies and single nests, then eventually the failure of the colony. Flooding, during episodes of heavy precipitation resulted in more nest failures than predation. Predation at Black-winged Stilt nests was considered opportunistic with birds the most frequent consumers of eggs. Finally, we make suggestions for future research in reclaimed areas, particularly by using rice fields as more biodiverse habitats.

Variation in the mobilization of mercury into Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus chicks in coastal saltpans, as revealed by stable isotopes

Causes of variation in mobilization of mercury into Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus chicks were studied through analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. Blood and breast feathers were collected from chicks in coastal saltpans during successive breeding seasons. Detritus samples and potential prey (macroinvertebrates) were also collected. Total mercury concentrations and stable isotope signatures were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and isotope ratio mass spectrometry respectively. Mercury levels in Chironomidae, Corixidae and Hydrophilidae correlated with mercury levels in chick feathers. Differences of δ 15N signatures between macroinvertebrate groups indicated that they belong to different trophic levels. δ 15N signatures of invertebrates correlated with mercury levels in invertebrates and chicks, but not with δ 15N signatures in chicks. Between-group and between-site differences of δ 15N signatures and mercury levels in invertebrates suggested that they contribute differently to mercury mobilization into chicks, and their relative contribution depends on prey availability in each site. Inter-site differences in the biomagnification factor reinforced that idea. δ 13C signatures in invertebrates marked a larger range of carbon sources than just detritus. Variation of water inflow regime and prey availability may cause between-group and between-site differences of δ 13C signatures in prey. Discrepancies between feather and blood for δ 13C signatures in Praias-Sado and Vaia suggested that temporal variation of prey availability may be the main factor affecting mercury mobilization into chicks in both those cases, since their water inflow regimes are the same. The lowest levels of δ 13C signatures in Vau suggested that water inflow regime may be the main factor in this case, since no discrepancy existed in δ 13C signatures between blood and feather.

Identifying new buffer areas for conserving waterbirds in the Mediterranean basin: the importance of the rice fields in Extremadura, Spain

The impact of wetland loss on migratory waterbirds can be mitigated by the presence of anthropogenic habitats such as rice fields. In the Mediterranean basin, wetlands have been drained and altered to such a degree that their very existence is threatened. It is, therefore, essential to identify key buffer areas in the basin to develop conservation strategies for migratory waterbirds. In Extremadura, continental SW Spain, 30,000 ha of new rice fields have created since the 1960s. The present study describes for the first time the waterbird community associated with these inland rice fields, and addresses the question of the potential value of this area in buffering the loss of natural wetlands for populations of waterbirds using the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). The waterbird community studied consisted of 45 species, with population levels reaching values of international importance (>1% of the biogeographical population using EAF) for the Common Crane Grus grus (19%), Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (1.2%), Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (1.2%), and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (1%). The presence of these rice fields may be modifying the wintering and/or feeding sites of some waterbird species such as the Common Crane and Black-tailed Godwit. Unfortunately, there is no legal protection for this area. We propose the designation of these rice fields as a Special Protection Area for birds.

セイタカシギの一腹卵数

The number of eggs in nests of the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus himantopus in areas in Tokyo Metropolis and Chiba Prefecture, around the Tokyo Bay was investigated. The mean ± SE number of eggs in nests was 3.50±0.06 (n=384, range 1-10). Instances of five or more eggs in a nest were suggested to have been produced by two or three females. The mean ± SE of clutch size by monogamous pairs was 3.36±0.05 (n=362, range 1-4).

Occurrence and abundance of waterbirds at an ephemeral pan in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Bi-monthly counts of waterbirds were made between March and September 2003 at an ephemeral pan in the Northern Cape Province following the first substantial inundation since 1988. Bi-annual counts between 1991 and 2003 indicated that the pan infrequently supported waterbirds, with waterfowl and small waders generally being the dominant species. During the bimonthly counts, a total of 50 waterbird species was recorded, with the most dominant species, both in terms of numbers and duration of presence, being Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (max. 378), Cape Shoveller Anas smithii (max. 260) and South African Shelduck Tadorna cana (max. 200). Most other waterfowl and wader species were regular but in lower numbers. Species groups that occurred in limited numbers or for short periods include primarily herons, grebes, flamingos, ibises and storks. Species abundance and richness reached a peak one month after the pan was inundated, followed by a gradual decline over the ensuing two months.