Ciconia Maguari Research Articles

Breeding biology of the Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari (Aves, Ciconiidae) in the Pampa, and an outline in other Brazilian biomes

The Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari) is one of the three species of the family Ciconiidae that occur in South America. Despite abundant in landscapes dominated by wetlands and grasslands, detailed studies on its biology are scarce. This study is aimed at investigating aspects of the breeding of Maguari Storks in Brazil. Photographic records were searched in the WikiAves database. A total of 65 records, obtained by citizens along 13 years in 32 municipalities, showed evidences of breeding activities in Brazil. Most (86%) of these records were gathered in the Pampa biome, in southern Brazil. Nests were large platforms and contained 1-3 young. Nests built on the ground were in grasslands or reed patches. Those built on shrubs were at boundaries between lakes and grasslands, and were often in colonial nesting sites with egrets and herons. Incubation occurred between July and November, and nestlings were found between August and December. Juveniles able to fly were recorded between late October and February. Most records of breeding activities were obtained at sites located < 300 m above sea level. As the Maguari Stork is a conspicuous and charismatic species, its conservation could substantially benefit from the awareness of landowners to promote eco-tourism in their properties, attracting birdwatchers. For this, it should be ensured the integrity of grasslands, marshes, and lakes with microhabitats often used for nesting (woody plants and reed patches).

A Late Pleistocene fossil stork (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae) from the Santa Vitória Formation, Southern Brazil and its paleoenvironmental significance

The avian fossil record of southern Brazil is scarce, consisting of few isolated remains. Here is described a ciconiid fossil from the assemblage of mammalian remains of the Santa Vitoria Formation (SVF). The specimen is a cervical vertebra morphologically similar to Ciconia maguari (maguari stork), common in southern Brazil today. Nevertheless, its larger dimensions suggest that it could be either a morphotype of that species or another, extinct species. The taphonomic modifications of the vertebra result of a combination of autogenic and allogenic factors including the aquatic habit, shape and transportation by flowing water and burial in a shallow stream. The fossil-bearing sediment dated by luminescence was deposited during the late Pleistocene, at 37.9 ka b2k, and exhibits physical features indicating deposition under variable discharge and seasonal oscillations of the water table. The presence of an aquatic bird in these sediments indicates a period of increased precipitation, chronocorrelated to one of the millenial-scale warming pulses recorded in ice cores from Antarctica (Antarctic Isotope Maxima) that characterized the interstadial MIS 3. On the other hand, the dry and cold climate of the following glacial MIS 2 may have forced ciconiids and aquatic mammals to retreat to suitable areas (refugia), as indicated by their absence in the loess deposits (Cordao Formation) overlying the SVF, until returning during the Holocene when climate became wet and warm again. The results presented here increase the avian fossil record of southern Brazil and help understand the role of climate change on the distribution of ciconiid birds and other taxa during the Quaternary in southern South America.

Identification and evolution of avian endogenous foamy viruses.

A history of long-term co-divergence means that foamy viruses (family Retroviridae) provide an ideal framework to understanding virus-host evolution over extended time periods. Endogenous foamy viruses (EndFVs) are rare, and to date have only been described in a limited number of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish genomes. By screening 414 avian genomes we identified EndFVs in two bird species: the Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari) and the Oriental Stork (Ciconia boyciana). Analyses of phylogenetic relationships, genome structures and flanking sequences revealed a single origin of EndFVs in Ciconia species. In addition, the marked incongruence between the virus and host phylogenies suggested that this integration event occurred independently in birds. In sum, by providing evidence that birds can be infected with foamy viruses, we fill the last major gap in the taxonomic distribution of foamy viruses and their animal hosts.

Breeding Phenology and New Host List of the Black-Headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) In Argentina

ABSTRACT The Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) is a unique interspecific brood parasite among birds where the host species provides parental care for incubation only. Despite this unique system, there are few studies on this species biology and the list of hosts remains incomplete. We present information about breeding phenology of the Black-headed Duck and an updated list of hosts obtained from a comprehensive review of egg collections deposited in the most important natural science museums of Argentina. We include five new hosts to the list: Great Grebe (Podiceps major), Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari), White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis), South American Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), and Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni). We found that solitary nesting host species were more likely to be parasitized earlier during the breeding season than colonial nesting species. The Black-headed Duck has an extended breeding season in central Argentina (Aug–Feb) as it is able to use a variety of hosts...

Stibarokris annae n. sp. from Ciconia maguari (Gmelin) (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae), a new species of quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) exhibiting dimorphism of females.

A new quill mite species having dimorphic females Stibarokris annae n. sp. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) is described from the maguari stork Ciconia maguari (Gmelin) (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae) from Uruguay. "S-form" females of S. annae differ from S. phoeniconaias Skoracki & OConnor, 2010 by the hysteronotal shield not reaching setal bases d1 (vs hysteronotal shield bearing setal bases d2 and d1 in S. phoeniconaias), the length ratio of setae ag1:ag2:ag3 1:1-1.4:2-2.4 (vs 1:1:1.2-1.3), the genital setae g1 2-2.5 times as long as g2 (vs g1 1.4-1.8× as long as g2), the fan-like setae of legs III-IV with 15-17 tines (vs with 6-8 tines) and the length of setae f2 (230-255 vs 295-370µm), h1 (25-30 vs 45-55µm), ag1(125-165 vs 245-285µm) and ag2(145-180 vs245-270µm). "C-form" females of S. annae are distinguishable from S. phoeniconaias ("C-form") by the longitudinal branch of the peritremes with 14-16 chambers (vs 12-13 chambers in S. phoeniconaias), the propodonotal shield weakly sclerotised and punctate along its lateral borders (vs well sclerotised and apunctate), the hysteronotal shield represented by an oval area covered by delicate striations (vs distinct hysteronotal shield), genital setae g1 1.5-1.8 times as long as g2 (vs g1 and g2 subequal in length), the fan-like setae p' and p" with 10 tines (vs with 5 tines) and the length of setae ve (120-130 vs 185-195µm), si (120-130 vs 220µm), se (180-200 vs 245-295µm), c1 (180-195 vs 270-285µm), d2 (180-205 vs 265-270µm), d1 (195-205 vs 255-285µm) and e2 (195-215 vs 285-320µm).

Raptor Migration at Concepción, Bolivia

I conducted the second austral autumn raptor count at Concepción Watch Site in the eastern Bolivian lowlands to document species composition, timing, and abundance of migrating raptors between 10 March and 6 April 2009. I counted migrants for 26 days (134.5 hrs) recording 6,979 migrating raptors of 16 species. Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) comprised 80% (n = 5,571), Black Vultures 11% (Coragyps atratus, n = 747), and Snail Kites 5% (Rostrhamus sociabilis, n = 396). The remaining 4% (n = 265) included 13 species and other unidentified raptors. I also recorded non-raptor species on migration from the lookout, including 36 Maguari Storks (Ciconia maguari), a flock of 11 Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), and thousands of Barn Swallows (Hirunda rustica). My observations confirm previous records suggesting a significant raptor migration occurs at the Concepción Watch Site in the austral autumn. Raptor monitoring should continue at Concepción annually and the site used to promote raptor conservation and awareness in Bolivia.

Noteworthy bird records at Lagoa Santa, southeastern Brazil

Lagoa Santa, a small town in southeastern Brazil where naturalist Peter Lund lived, is regarded nowadays as an important historical site for the biological sciences. From 1847 to 1855, J.T. Reinhardt, hosted by Lund, collected 343 bird species. This material is an outstanding reference for many modern ornithological studies. The present paper reports the occurrence of some rare and threatened birds for the region of Lagoa Santa between 1998 and 2005. In this account I list the Rusty-margined Guan Penelope superciliaris Temminck, 1815; the Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja Linnaeus, 1758; the Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari (Gmelin, 1789); the Wood Stork Mycteria americana Linnaeus, 1758; the Black Hawk-eagle Spizaetus tyrannus (Wied, 1820) and the Turquoise-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva (Linnaeus, 1758). It is also reported the southernmost record for the Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna (Linnaeus, 1758) and the range extension of the Crowned Slaty flycatcher Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus (d'Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1837). These data can be used as a baseline for studies of colonization and extinction.

Phenology and Reproductive Success of the Maguari Stork in the Southern Llanos of Venezuela

Phenology and Reproductive Success of the Maguari Stork in the Southern Llanos of Venezuela

Two new species ofNeottialgesFain (Acari, Hypoderatidae) under the skin of birds, with a key to the hypopi of this genus

Two new hypoderatid mites (Neottialges (Caloenectes) distinctus from the Maguari stork Ciconia maguari and Neottialges (Pelecanectes) tauraco from the white cheek turaco Tauraco leucotis) are described from subcutaneous hypopi. A key to the hypopi of the genus is provided.

The Behavior and Breeding of Adult Maguari Storks

An 11-year study of the Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari) in the llanos (flatlands) of Venezuela is reported. Stork behaviors are described in the following contexts: arrival flocks, roosting, pre-nesting social assemblies, nest site choice, nest building, copulation, nestling care and defense, adult feeding, sun and water bathing. The storks nested in bushes and short trees. Nesting was both colonial and solitary, and nest defense behaviors varied accordingly from mobbing to distraction display. Nesting success during three years was greater for colonial nesters (67%) than for solitary nesters (42%).

Coexistence and Behavior Differences among the Three Western Hemisphere Storks

The only storks in the New World, the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), the Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari), and the Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), were studied in the llanos of Venezuela. Stork weights and linear measurements are given, and behaviors are described and compared. The storks use both different foraging-techniques and intraspecific foraging-associations; these may result in resource partitioning among the storks and with other waterbirds. Although their diets of mostly aquatic organisms overlap broadly, available data suggest that the percent of each food class taken, and prey-sizes, are not alike. The three storks also differ in morphology, resident status, pair bond length, breeding months, nest-site preference, and nesting dispersion. The timing and amount of annual rainfall influences the storks' breeding months through the availability and abundance of food. RESUMEN. En los llanos de Venezuela fueron estudiadas las unicas especies de ciguenas del Nuevo Mundo, la Ciguena Gaban (Mycteria americana), la Ciguena Americana (Ciconia maguari) y el Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria). Se brinda informaci6n sobre pesos y medidas lineales de las ciguenas y se describen y comparan comportamientos. Las ciguenas usan tanto tecnicas de alimentation y diferentes como asociaciones de forraje interespecincas; esas pueden resultar en la repartici6n de los recursos entre ciguenas asi como con otras aves acuaticas. Aunque sus dietas son mayormente de organismos acuaticos y se superponen ampliamente, la informaci6n disponible sugiere que el porcentaje de cada clase de comida consumida y el tamano de las presas, no son similiares. Las tres ciguenas tambien son diferentes en sus aspectos morfoldgicos, situacidn como residentes, duraci6n de parejas, meses de reproducci6n, sitios preferidos para anidacibn y dispersi6n de anidaci6n. La epoca y la cantidad de lluvias anuales, influyen en los meses de reproducci6n a traves de la disponibilidad y abundancia de comida. Only three of the world's 17 living species of storks are native to the Western Hemisphere (Kahl 1971a); they are the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), the Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari = Euxenura galeata), and the Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria). Probably because of their large size storks are the socially dominant species of the waterbird guild in the Venezuelan llanos. Current ecological theory holds that no two species occupy exactly the same niche (Moreau 1 966); thus, it is of interest to examine some of the differences among these sympatric storks. In this paper I review some of the morphological and behavioral differences that may facilitate their coexistence. When he revised the taxonomy of the world's storks, Kahl (1971a) maintained these three species in separate genera, although he changed the Maguari Stork to Ciconia as an indication of its close relationship to the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia). Even though the three species share many familial traits of morphology and behavior, their placement in separate genera suggests, correctly, that distinctions also exist. STUDY AREA AND METHODS Beginning in 1972, and continuing for 1 1 years, I studied storks in the llanos in Venezuela. My main study area was a cattle ranch, Fundo Pecuario Masaguaral, which lies roughly in the center of the llanos, in the state of Guarico. This area is classified, under the Holdridge system, as tropical dry forest (Ewel and Madriz 1968). The habitat consists of open grassland savannas with occasional clumps of trees and gallery forests. The area is generally below 100 m in elevation; thus, the climate is tropical with one wet season and one dry season each year. Vegetation of the study site is described in Troth (1979), and the species of birds found there are listed in Thomas (1979). I also observed storks in other parts of the llanos, mainly in southern Guarico and throughout

Maguari Stork Nesting: Juvenile Growth and Behavior

Abstract Although it has a wide range in tropical South America, the Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari) is poorly known. In an 11-yr study of its breeding biology in the llanos of Venezuela I found the mean clutch size for 3 yr to be 3.2 eggs. The young hatched asynchronously at 29-32 days and usually made their first flight at 60-72 days. Data on egg sizes, weights, and a probable dump egg are given. The weight and growth of two siblings, plumage succession, and nestling and fledgling behaviors are described. The fledging success of eggs from 55 nests, over 9 yr, was 61%. Loss of eggs (presumably from snake predation) was higher than nestling loss. Although the asynchronously hatched young in a clutch varied greatly in weight and continued this difference throughout nestling life, no case of brood reduction was found in 123 nests during the study. Nestlings were fed mainly frogs and tadpoles, fish, eels, and aquatic rats; food classes and food sizes brought by adults varied with the age of their young. Maguari Stork nestlings do not grasp with their hallux and so are confined to their nests until they can fly. I suggest that the two black plumages of nestlings, between the white hatching down and the white first basic plumage, are for crypsis of the nest-bound young.

Differential use of space by eight species of birds in a free-flight zoological park aviary

Eight species of birds (jabiru stork, Jabiru mycteria; maguari stork, Euxenura galeata; king vulture, Sarcoramphus papa; turkey vulture, Cathartes aura; black vulture, Coragyps atrata; Orinoco goose, Neochen jubata; fulvous-whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor; black-bellied whistling duck, D. autumnalis) were studied in a large zoo aviary to determine their use of topographical regions (areas), substrates and heights during a 3-month period. Positions of individuals in the aviary were recorded and species were compared to others of the same taxonomic family to determine if they exhibited differential use of space. Resting and self-care were the most frequently recorded behavior patterns. Certain areas, substrates and heights were utilized by each species regardless of behavior. Each species restricted most of its activity to two or three contiguous areas within the aviary. Space use was correlated with the location of food, presence of shade or similarity to substrates utilized in the wild. Only the vultures made appreciable use of heights over 1.5 m above ground level. Conspecifics were found with each other more often than with heterospecifics of the same family. The waterfowl and maguari storks tended to flock. Maguari storks, king vultures, Orinoco geese and fulvous whistling ducks were restricted in their use of space while the other species ranged throughout the aviary. Environmental structure strongly influenced space utilization, and there were indications that intra- and interspecific interactions may have also affected use of space.

Observations on the Jabiru and Maguari Storks in Argentina, 1969

Little detailed information on the reproductive biology, ecology, and behavior of the Jabiru Stork (Jabiru mycteria) and the Maguari Stork (Euxenura galeata) has been previously published. This report presents some of the results obtained during July-September 1969 in eastern and northeastern Argentina. These studies were part of a long-term investigation of the comparative behavior and ecology of all the stork species in the world.