Himantopus Himantopus Research Articles

New species on the list of species with intraspecific nest parasitism

Abstract Intraspecific nest parasitism has only recently received more attention from ornithologists. In 2001, Yom-Tov published a list of 234 species that had exhibited this behaviour. I have since found literature data on four additional species in which intraspecific nest parasitism has been observed. No such record has so far been published from Hungary. This study presents records on 25 species from Hungary and on one species from Croatia, out of which I have not found any reference for intraspecific nest parasitism in the literature for Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola), Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus), Little Tern (Sternula albifrons), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Eurasian Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). In addition to records from Hungary, for Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) and Mediterranean Gull I also present observations from Slovakia, and for Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) from Germany.

Spatial distribution and nesting behavior of the Black winged-stilt (<i>Himantopus himantopus himantopus</i>, Linnaeus 1758) in the urban wetland of Dakar Technopole (Senegal, West Africa)

Wetlands are important areas in the conservation of biodiversity and play a key role in the ecosystems regulation. Thus, considering that climate change effects combined with anthropogenic pressures on natural resources are causing loss of biodiversity in Sahelian countries such as Senegal, we need to do regular stock assessments. For this, we aimed at studying the Black winged-stilt (Himantopus himantopus himantopus) in the urban wetland of Technopôle in the Niayes of Dakar (capital of the republic of Senegal). Our study is focused on the spatial distribution and nesting of the Black winged-stilt (Himantopus himantopus himantopus) in Technopole, which is classified in the list of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) by Birlife International since 2001 under A4i criteria and is an important biodiversity hotspot. The Niayes of Dakar constitute a particular ecosystem of wetland, they play a determining role in the reproduction and the survival of manies birds’ species. The nesting study was conducted from May to August 2012 and from May to August 2017. The maximum numbers of Black winged-stilt count during these periods are 531 individuals for 2012 and 766 individuals for 2017. However we highlight a decrease of the number of Black winged-stilt in the Technopole after the onset of the rains. Breeding data (25 nests in 2012 and 79 in 2017) show that this urban wetland is a preferred nesting site for Black winged-stilt. We report for the first time in this paper, so many Black wingedstilt nests in Senegal. Despite the disturbances related to anthropogenic factors, the breeding success of the Black winged-stilt reached 89.6% in May 2017. Thus, we believe that a strengthening of a conservation action plan of this site is urgent for a better preservation of the biodiversity, particularly the avian resources. Keywords: Breeding, conservation, Himantopus himantopus, Niayes, water bird

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.

The sea level rise impact on four seashore breeding birds: the key study of Sečovlje Salina Nature Park

Climate change is expected to result in an acceleration of current rates of sea level rise, inundating many low-lying coastal and intertidal landscapes. This could have important implications for many coastal habitat types and related organisms that depend on these habitats, including shorebirds that rely on them for feeding, overwintering and breeding. Potential change in the availability of suitable breeding area according to linear and model-based sea level rise scenarios was modeled for four breeding birds (Kentish Plover, Little Tern, Common Tern and Black-winged Stilt) in Secovlje Salina Nature Park, based on precise mapping of nests over a period of 10 years and on present environmental predictors. Different breeding niches for the studied bird species in SSNP were identified, which indirectly indicates different responses to environmental change, in this case triggered by climate change induced sea level rise. Future breeding suitability maps indicate that the Little Tern and the Common Tern could potentially face a drastic decrease of adequate breeding grounds in SSNP later than the Kentish Plover and the Black-winged Stilt. However, these individual species responses to sea level rise, as a climate change driver, is a step forward for conservation biologists and landscape planners in protected areas, as they prepare cost-effective plans for mitigating negative impact on these ecosystems. This study also illustrates an important general point about the likely effects of climate change on ecological resources, which is that climate change does not happen in a vacuum; its impact will interact with pre-existing stress factors.

Physiological, Morphological and Behavioural Responses of Self-Feeding Precocial Chicks Copying with Contrasting Levels of Water Salinity during Development.

Combined physiological and behavioural responses to salt loads during development have rarely been studied in air-breathing vertebrates able to inhabit hypersaline habitats, but they may be of particular importance in understanding, for example, the differences among species in patterns of habitat use or ontogenetic diet switches. Here, we compared the physiological and behavioural responses of self-feeding precocial chicks developed in contrasting levels of water salinity. The model species was the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) a precocial shorebird that breeds in a range of habitats from freshwater to hypersaline wetlands. Specifically, we compared resting metabolic rate (RMR), heat shock proteins (Hsp70), plasma ions, hematocrit, body mass, body size, growth rate and head-shaking behaviour of captive-reared Black-winged Stilt fledglings developed under fresh (0 ‰), saline (20 ‰), and hypersaline (60 ‰) water. Contrary to expectations, none of the physiological and morphological variables measured differed significantly among treatments. Likewise, the RMR of wild and captive-reared fledglings was similar. Surprisingly, the saltgland mass of wild fledglings from freshwater and those from hypersaline habitats was also similar. However, head-shaking, a behavioural response associated to minimize salt intake and to expel the secretions of salt glands, differed according to salinity source: head-shaking rate increased with increasing salinity. The results of this study support the key role of behavioural osmoregulation in avoiding salt stress during development.

Spatial synchrony of wader populations in inland lakes of the Iberian Peninsula

AbstractSpatial synchronization refers to similarity in temporal variations between spatially separated populations. Three mechanisms have been associated with the spatial synchrony of populations: Moran effect, dispersal and trophic interactions. In this study, we explored the degree of spatial synchrony of three wader species populations (Pied Avocet, Black‐winged Stilt and Kentish Plover) using monthly estimates of their abundance in inland lakes of the Iberian Peninsula. The effect of several types of wetland variables (structural, hydroperiod and landscape) on spatial synchronization was explored. Groups of lakes with significant synchronization were identified for all three species. The lakes with wastewater input presented longer hydroperiods than those that did not receive these effluents, and this factor was positively related to the spatial synchrony of the Pied Avocet and Kentish Plover populations. The distance between lakes (used as an indicator of the dispersal effect on synchronization) was significant only in Pied Avocet. No structural or landscape variables were related to spatial synchronization in any species. It was impossible to identify any variable related to the spatial synchronization of Black‐winged Stilt abundance as a possible result of the high ecological plasticity of this species. Our data provides the first evidence for mechanisms that act on the spatial synchronizing of wader populations in temporary continental lakes in central Spain, and show that the hydroperiod of lakes acts as an important factor in the spatial synchronization of aquatic species and that its effect is mediated by the reception of urban wastewater.

Impact of Tannery Effluent on Wetland Birds of Dindigul District, Tamilnadu, India

Water and soil is the most important and crucial factor on the global ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the physico chemical parameters of effluent water and soil serving as an indicator of Tannery effluent tank, in Dindigul District. Bird census made using total bird count from December 2009 to May 2012 to enumerate bird species composition in the Tannery effluent tank. The study area harbored totally 14 species of birds which is grouped under 9 families falls under 7 orders. The maximum abundance of birds species was from the family Ardeidae and Charadridae. The most dominant species in Tannery Effluent tank was Black-winged Stilt and Little Egret. Water bird species seen abundantly were Black-winged Stilt, Little Egret, Grey Duck and Green Shank. The least number of bird species observed was Large Egret, Little Grebe and Median Egret. Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and the level of Chloride, Sulphate, Iron, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate, BOD, COD and DO were high in the effluent water. Fluoride and Nitrite was within the standard limit of effluent water. The accumulation of micro nutrient in soil as Manganese, Zinc, Copper and Iron were high during the study. Determining the bird community in Tannery Effluent Tank and to evaluate the impact of Tannery Effluent Tank on the distribution of birds in Dindigul and the results highlights the discharge of highly polluted waste water effluent from tanneries of Dindigul District.

Effects of Agricultural Management Policies on the Exposure of Black-Winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) Chicks to Cholinesterase-Inhibiting Pesticides in Rice Fields.

Levels of exposure to pesticides in rice fields can be significant depending on the environmental policies practiced. The aim of European Union integrated management policy is to reduce pesticide use and impact on environment. Rice fields provide an alternative breeding habitat for many waterbirds that are exposed to the pesticides used and therefore can be valuable indicators of their risk for wildlife. To evaluate integrated management success we examined exposure of Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides in rice fields under different types of management by measuring plasma cholinesterase activity. Cholinesterase activity was lower in birds sampled in (a) 2008 after a period of intense pesticide application, than in (b) 2005-2007 and 2011 in rice fields subject to integrated management in Doñana (SW Spain) and (c) in control natural wetlands in Spain and Morocco. During 2009 and 2010, cholinesterase activity was lower in rice fields in Doñana than in rice fields in Larache and Sidi Allal Tazi (NW Morocco). Our results suggest that integrated management successfully reduced the exposure of Black-winged Stilts to pesticides in most of the years. Care should be taken to implement mosquito and pest crop controls on time and with environmentally friendly products in order to reduce its impact on wildlife.

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.

Deteriorating rural ponds : A threat to overseas migratory wetland birds in Kurukshetra suburbs, Haryana, India

The present study addresses the problem of ongoing destruction of traditional age old rural wetlands in Haryana in the last 10 years. It is a grave issue which stands accelerated due to anthropogenic unawareness and in deliberate destruction. In all, 59 species of wetland birds belonging to 10 orders and 17 families were recorded from Palwal rural pond in Kurukshetra district in India during 2005-2012. The presence and that too in higher numbers of Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio and Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus hints towards the over excessive growth of hyacinth and water reeds thus making it an ideal place for these birds which are the harbingers of total eutrophication of a certain water body. The other birds seen in the pond are White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus, Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus, Large Egret Ardea alba and Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia. Pond Herons Ardeola grayii were in few numbers. Black winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus were in more number thus indicating the presence of sludge in water and its shallowness. Cattle egrets were in large number indicating its negative character. The lackluster attitude of Govt. of Haryana will result in its total destruction in 5-10 years. Similar situation may be extended to nearby village ponds to worsen their condition too. Ramsar Convention (1971) pleads for preservation, protection and conservation of wetlands of all hues. Village ponds in Haryana should be revived by seeking co-operation from the Head Quarter of Ramsar Convention at Switzerland.

Description of a New Species ofUvitellinaWitenberg, 1923 (Cyclocoelidae: Haematotrephinae), from the Black-Winged Stilt,Himantopus himantopus(Charadriiformes: Recurvirostidae) from the Ukraine

Five specimens of a new species of Uvitellina Witenberg collected from the air sacs of a black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus, collected from the Kherson Region of the Ukraine, were described. Of the 9 species in the genus, Uvitellina himantopi n. sp. differs from all other species in the ratio of the width to the length of eggs (1∶1.8 [1∶1.6–1∶1.9] compared to a low of 1∶2.2 in Uvitellina adephis and a high of 1∶3.6 in Uvitellina teesae). Uvitellina himantopi n. sp. is most similar to Uvitellina iraquensis because, unlike the other 4 species in the genus with a rudimentary oral sucker (Uvitellina indica, Uvitellina kaniharensis, Uvitellina macroisophaga, and U. teesae), these 2 species have an oral sucker that is typically wider than the pharynx (1∶1.0–1∶1.2 oral sucker width/pharynx width compared to 1∶0.8–1∶0.9 in the other 4 species) and a similar cirrus sac length (370–400 long [3–4% of body length] compared to 300–490 [3–5%]). Uvitellina himantopi n. sp. has a larger body than U. iraquensis (12,118–15,100 long compared to 7,750–10,459), wider eggs (105 maximum width compared to 88), and unlike in U. iraquensis, the vitelline fields of U. himantopi n. sp. are attenuated posteriorly at their confluence to form a conspicuous, posteriorly directed point.

First report of egg predation by an unpaired Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra, L., 1758 (Aves: Gruiformes) on Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, L., 1758 (Aves: Charadriiformes): one case from central Italy

The Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra, is a gregarious Palearctic rail that only rarely occurs singly. Even if resident birds can present territorial behaviour all through the year, most aggressions are developed during the breeding season, and the scientific literature has reported inter- and intraspecific attacks by Coot breeding pairs. Unpaired individuals do not usually show any territoriality and are often subjected to attacks by breeding pairs. It is, however, possible to observe unpaired Coots defending a territory before pairing, but the typical aggressive behaviour is developed after the beginning of nest building. Egg predation by Coots is reported as a rare phenomenon, exerted only by members of breeding couples. In this note, we report two predation cases exhibited by an unpaired individual against nests and eggs of Himantopus himantopus. We discard the hypothesis of competition for food between these two species and suggest that this peculiar behaviour could have been induced by endocrine hormonal secretions, regardless of whether the individual was paired or not.

Nest-Site Selection and Hatching Success at a Mixed-Species Colony of Black-Winged Stilts Himantopus Himantopus and Gull-Billed Tern Gelochelidon Nilotica

Nest-site characteristics and hatching success were studied at a mixed-species colony of Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus and Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica in AghGol wetland, Hamedan Province, Iran during the 2008 breeding season. Species-specific preferences and a possible correlation between hatching success and nest location were analysed. Black-winged stilts select significantly closer points to the water edge than random points while the distance to the water edge did not vary between preferred and non-preferred locations for Gull-billed Terns. Plant density was significantly higher in Gull-billed Terns than Black-winged Stilt nest-sites, which also preferred areas of lower plant density. Hatched Gull-billed Tern nests had significantly higher plant density around the nest than failed nests. Overall, hatching success of Gull-billed Tern was higher than that of Black-winged Stilt; mainly because of disturbances resulting from a decrease in the water level.

Diversity of cloacal microbial community in migratory shorebirds that use the Tagus estuary as stopover habitat and their potential to harbor and disperse pathogenic microorganisms

The diversity of the cloacal microbial community in migratory shorebirds, caught at the Tagus estuary, Portugal, was assessed by cultivation (R2A and Nutrient Agar media) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling (DGGE) to provide a better understanding of the birds' potential to harbor and disperse pathogens. Three different bird species belonging to four different populations were studied: common redshank (Tringa totanus), black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and nominate and Icelandic populations of black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa). DGGE profiling and partial 16S RNA gene sequences of 240 isolates, and 26 DGGE bands resulting in 58 clones, were analyzed. Most isolates were members of the phylum Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and only a small portion belonged to the Proteobacteria and Deinococcus-Thermus phyla. Potentially pathogenic strains carried by the birds were found such as Helicobacter and Staphylococcus in all bird species, and Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Rhodococcus, Legionella and Corynebacterium in black-winged stilts. Unexpectedly, bacteria from the phylum Deinococcus-Thermus were isolated in shorebirds and were present in all the bird species studied.

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.

Waterfowl habitat restoration in a seasonal island wetland

The wetland of Chortarolimni is an island, seasonal wetland with brackish waters. Due to a drainage ditch installed in the 1970s the breeding wildfowl of the wetland (Mallard, Common Shellduck, Ruddy Shellduck, Black-winged stilt and Eurasian Coot) suffers from the early seasonal draught. After an ecological assessment of the site, which involved a site visit and analysis of previous reports on the wetland, restorative measures were identified and designed to conserve the breeding waterfowl by enhancing the availability of open water and pond habitats during the waterfowl breeding period. Successful monitoring of the restoration measures will enhance the wetland ecosystem services and the ecotourism potential of the area.

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.