Pelecanus Crispus Research Articles

Migratory Connectivity of Zhejiang, with a Critical Stopover in East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Based on Recovery Data.

Understanding migratory routes is crucial for the conservation of birds and their habitats. Zhejiang is a crucial stopover and wintering area for birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway; however, detailed information on this area, and particularly on connections between coastal areas, is limited. By synthesizing ringed and recapture records from local bird-ringing projects and re-sighting community science data (208 records of 35 species), we established migratory connectivity between the Zhejiang coast and nine countries (i.e., Russia, Mongolia, the United States, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia), as well as eleven sites within China, and established its crucial role in this flyway. Stopover fidelity was verified by some species with high recapture frequency (seven species exceeded 1%) and species with duplicated re-sighted records (seven Black-faced Spoonbill, one Dalmatian Pelican, and two Spoon-billed Sandpiper individuals). We identified six areas-Hangzhou Bay, Aiwan Bay, Xuanmen National Park, Wenzhou Bay, the reclaimed area between the Ou and Feiyun Rivers, and the Wenzhou Jiangnan Reclamation Area-as crucial stopovers and wintering refuges for waterbirds. Notably, in Xuanmen National Park and the coastal regions along Wenzhou, there were many recovery records for flagship species, such as the Black-faced Spoonbill and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. There were several cases of the recovery of the same individual studied across the years. These findings indicate that these unprotected wetlands require particular attention. Broadly, our findings highlight the feasibility of integrating comprehensive ringing projects with citizen science data to formulate effective conservation strategies and underscore the critical importance of the Zhejiang Coast for migratory waterbirds, particularly those with high conservation concerns, emphasizing the need to mitigate the threats faced by these vulnerable populations.

The Breeding colonies, population growth and breeding success of the Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus in Greece: a country-wide perspective, 1967-2021

Greece holds the third larger breeding population of Dalmatian Pelican in the world. We present data about the establishment and growth, breeding performance and conservation status for all six colonies of the species in Greece for 40 years. Main features of wetlands and colonies are described. We discuss the local, regional and global natural and anthropogenic factors that may have affected colony growth. After 1982 colony surveys were carried out with various methods, adapted to the particularities of each wetland and availability of resources, and targeted estimating number of nests and number of near-fledged young via direct counting either during on-site visits or from vantage points, and recently, counts on photos taken by drones flown one or more times during breeding. Number of nests in Lake Mikri Prespa rose from ca. 100 to 1200-1500 and levelled-off. DPs from Prespa started breeding successfully in Kerkini in 2004 after placement of artificial nesting rafts. The Karla Reservoir was colonised in 2011, just two years after it started filling with water. The DP colony on Lake Chimaditis, an important stop over and feeding site, probably initiated around 2016 and continues growing. The two colonies at the western coastline have limited exchanges with those in the eastern part of the country. Amvrakikos increased and levelled off recently as conservation and management measures restricted disturbance, whilst emigrants re-established the old colony at Messolonghi in 2011 which continues to grow. The overall breeding population in Greece grew from ca 100 to over 2000 br pairs showing an annual growth rate of 7.9%. Younger colonies show high annual growth rates clearly attributed to immigration, while older colonies have growth rates less than 10%. Interacting natural and anthropogenic factors are assumed to have contributed to pelican increase in Greece the last 40 years: better legal protection status, increasingly effective protection, patrolling and conservation measures; public awareness campaigns; provision of artificial nesting structures; increased winter survival due to higher temperatures owed to climate change; less disturbance and persecution due to decline of fisheries; increasing abundance and availability of fish due to eutrophication and climate change; increasing numbers of sympatric great cormorants rendering pelican fishing more efficient; appearance of new wetlands and change of wetlands due to human intervention works.

First Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in Montenegro

Abstract Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly infectious viral disease that affects birds, including wild water birds and poultry. The emergence and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains, such as H5N1, have raised concerns due to their potential to cause severe outbreaks and cross the species barrier, leading to human infections and global public health emergencies. In this study, we report the first case of HPAI H5N1 detection in Montenegro. Twenty-six carcasses of dalmatian pelicans were found in Skadar Lake, Montenegro, and the H5N1 subtype was confirmed through molecular testing in the samples from pelicans. The whole influenza genome was sequenced and belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b was determined.

To the fauna of rare bird species of coastal habitats of Temryuk Bay

New information on the presence of 27 rare, protected or little-studied species and subspecies of birds (greylag and red-breasted geese, common shelduck, gadwall, common pochard, Eurasian oystercatcher, pied avocet, black-winged stilt, Eurasian golden-plover, Eurasian curlew, sanderling, common greenshank, yellow-legged, great black-headed, Mediterranean, slender-billed, and little gulls, Caspian tern, European turtle-dove, great white and dalmatian pelicans, squacco heron, glossy ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, lesser spotted and white-tailed eagles, Eurasian hobby) obtained in the Temryuk region (Eastern Azov region) in different seasons of 2022-2023. The coast of the bay is a stopping place on the spring migration of Eurasian oystercatcher, pied avocet, Eurasian golden-plover, Eurasian curlew, sanderling, common greenshank, common shelduck, slender-billed gull, and Caspian tern; in the fall - pied avocet, sanderling, and Caspian tern. Information about the migration of the sanderling at the end of March has been obtained for the first time. The location of the concentration of Caspian tern and slender-billed gull has been identified. The glossy ibis, the number of which is growing, the black-winged stilt, and the great black-headed gull remain in the spring-summer period in the flooded rice fields. Harvested rice fields provide valuable habitat for Eurasian spoonbills during their fall migration. Information about a large aggregation of red-breasted goose in rice fields in January 2023 is presented for the first time. The great black-headed gull is found on estuaries in all seasons. The common pochard, gadwall, little gull, and Dalmatian pelican stop at the estuaries during the migration period. The migration of the lesser spotted eagle at the end of September and the migration of a large flock of great white pelican in May were recorded in this area for the first time. The squacco heron, which is disturbance tolerant, is common in reed habitats of estuaries and irrigation canals.

Understanding local knowledge and attitudes toward potential reintroduction of a former British wetland bird

AbstractStakeholder acceptance and support is essential for long‐term success in species reintroductions, and assessing social feasibility of reintroductions within human‐occupied landscapes is an integral component of effective decision‐making.The Dalmatian pelicanPelecanus crispusis an extirpated British bird, and possible pelican reintroduction to British wetlands is under discussion. Any reintroduction planning must first assess local community awareness, attitudes, and acceptance of potential pelican arrival and associated habitat management, as part of wider socio‐ecological feasibility assessment. Pelicans are distinctive species with potential to increase support for wetland conservation, but might provoke conflict through real or perceived competition with landscape users such as fishers; such conflict is already seen within Britain between fishers and cormorants.We conducted an online survey of 590 respondents in the Somerset Levels and East Anglian Fens, Britain's largest wetland landscapes, to understand local views on pelican reintroduction, other reintroductions and wetland restoration, and to investigate correlates of varying attitudes toward coexistence with pelicans and five other waterbirds (grey heron, Eurasian bittern, little egret, common crane, great cormorant).Respondents had generally positive views about previous reintroductions of other species, and had overall positive attitudes toward all six waterbirds. Two‐thirds of respondents supported or strongly supported pelican reintroduction, but both benefits and concerns were identified in relation to its possible reintroduction. Anglers and hunters were more likely to hold negative attitudes toward pelicans, other waterbirds and wetland restoration. However, although anglers raised more concerns, they were not more likely to be unsupportive toward reintroduction. More socio‐demographic predictors were associated with negative attitudes toward restoration required to establish pelican habitat, suggesting that positive feelings toward biodiversity are outweighed by concerns around potential exclusion from local landscapes.Our findings suggest pelican reintroduction might be supported by local stakeholders. Attitudes toward cormorants do not represent a blueprint for attitudes toward pelicans, and anglers may support reintroduction if concerns around impacts to fish stocks are addressed. Community engagement for species‐specific and landscape‐scale actions require separate approaches, with landscape management planning needing to target a wider range of stakeholder groups with separate concerns to those about coexistence with pelicans.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.

Home range of the Dalmatian pelican in south-east Europe

Home range of the Dalmatian pelican in south-east Europe

Four Elegies

Four Elegies

Long-term monitoring of pelicans in National Chambal Sanctuary, India

Monitoring of Gharial Gavialis gangeticus in National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) since 1983 has resulted in collection of data on other ecological associates, located between 25.8474–26.4389 0N, 76.5645–79.2132 0E. One such beneficiary of this long term monitoring program are the pelicans, locally called ‘Hawaseel’. Pelican species visiting Chambal from November to March include the Dalmatian Pelecanus crispus, Great White Pelecanus onocrotalus, and Spot-billed Pelecanus philippensis. Species-wise separation of pelicans at the sites of congregation is often difficult. The total number of pelicans counted during the annual census from 2003 to 2016 was 4,429. The study area extends over 435 km comprising 12 study zones, 99% counts were made in the study zones X, XI and XII. These zones stretch over 115 km that occur near the confluence of Chambal with river Yamuna. Here, the river is deep. Other large birds seen with the pelican squadrons are groups of Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Nakta or Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, and the Greylag Goose Anser anser. Other large birds seen on the riverbanks were the Common Crane Grus grus, Sarus Crane Grus antigon, Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus species, and Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo. The study provides a baseline about the population of pelicans and the availability of large wetland birds in NCS. The biodiversity significance of NCS got highlighted because of the ongoing gharial conservation programme. The Chambal River Sanctuary is a composite unit of several un-notified ‘core areas’. The sanctuary fulfills six of the nine criteria for possible consideration as an international Ramsar Wetland.

Challenges for incorporating long‐term baselines into biodiversity restoration: A case study of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) in Britain

Species reintroductions are a core component of conservation but require critical assessment of past baselines. The Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus formerly occurred in Britain during the Holocene and there is interest in its possible reintroduction, but its regional extinction dynamics remain poorly understood. Pelican bones are known from subfossil and zooarchaeological contexts at 11 British Holocene sites in three regions (East Anglian Fens, Somerset Levels and Moors, Humber Valley). Dalmatian Pelican is positively identified from four of these sites, with other specimens only identified to genus level. Pelican populations were probably only present periodically in Britain during intervals of suitable climate and available habitat: there is little evidence for pelicans before the Bronze Age, and most sites are known or inferred to be Iron Age. There is a suggested Medieval specimen but no secure evidence of pelican presence after the Roman period. However, no specimens are directly dated, with age estimation reliant upon indirect dates or inference. Climatic niche modelling indicates that southern Britain was the northwestern limit of pelican climate tolerance under postglacial conditions, and pelicans may have been unable to persist regionally until the mid‐ or late Holocene. Considerable pelican breeding and foraging habitat might have existed until the Medieval period, but availability of suitable habitat fluctuated throughout the Holocene. Probabilistic analysis suggests possible mean extinction date estimates between ad 589 and ad 1587, highlighting uncertainty associated with indirect data, and hindering our ability to correlate pelican disappearance with putative extinction drivers (overexploitation, human modification of wetlands, or non‐anthropogenic environmental changes). Improving our understanding of conditions associated with past pelican occurrence is essential for potential reintroduction decision‐making, and direct dating of bones from all sites is needed to establish a secure chronological framework for correlating pelican presence and disappearance with regional landscape change. This review provides a robust framework for how to integrate past environmental baselines into conservation decision‐making and reintroduction feasibility assessments.

The impact of avian influenza 2022 on Dalmatian pelicans was the worst ever wildlife disaster in Greece

The impact of avian influenza 2022 on Dalmatian pelicans was the worst ever wildlife disaster in Greece

Site fidelity and determinants of wintering decisions in the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus)

Wintering site selection is a major decision in a bird’s annual life cycle since conditions experienced by individuals within a wintering site can influence individual fitness and ultimately population dynamics. If individuals show strong fidelity to specific sites, annual environmental effects can be reinforced. In this study we analyse winter resightings of ringed Dalmatian pelicans, collected during a 35-year-long ringing survey, to identify winter movement patterns of Dalmatian pelicans, assess the level of site fidelity both within and among consecutive wintering events and examine environmental factors that may contribute to an individual’s decision to move towards a specific site during the winter period. Our results showed that the decision of Dalmatian pelicans to move towards a specific site was mainly driven by the site’s size and temperature conditions. Larger wetlands can provide birds with higher resource abundance and offer more opportunities to exploit optimal roosting and feeding habitats, whereas wetlands that do not freeze during the winter are a definite requirement. Wintering movements were more likely to occur at short distances from a bird’s natal colony, whereas it was uncommon for birds born in wetlands located in the Adriatic and Ionian coast to move eastwards during the winter, suggesting a level of spatial substructure. Furthermore, we showed that the species exhibits very strong within-year and among-year wintering site fidelity, with birds moving less during the winter, whereas juvenile birds travel greater distances than the rest of the age classes examined. Our conclusions could guide an effective approach to site-based conservation management at key wintering sites.

Artificial nesting platforms support population recovery of the Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus along the Danube River in Bulgaria

The Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus is a Near Threatened species of waterbird with populations in the wetlands of the Lower Danube River. Breeding populations declined due to habitat loss and wetland drainage and conservation efforts have focused on bringing breeding Dalmatian pelicans back to their former wetland sites in Bulgaria. Since 2008, conservation efforts have focused on building artificial nesting platforms at marshes along the Lower Danube River. These efforts resulted in considerable growth of the population in the country. Between 2011 and 2021, four wooden platforms were installed at the Belene Island wetland complex (Pechina and Martvo Marshes) and the Kalimok wetland complex. All four platforms were used successfully by pelicans, resulting in the formation of two new breeding colonies and a total of 91 pairs in 2021. The majority, 88 pairs, were recorded at the Belene Island marshes, with the remainder at the Kalimok colony. The average annual breeding success was 1.17 young per pair at Peschina Marsh (occupied from 2016-2021), 0.90 at Martvo Marsh (2020-2021), and 1.33 at Kalimok (2021). The average across all three colonies was 1.14 young per pair. By 2021, the breeding population of Dalmatian pelicans in Bulgaria had grown to 131-150 breeding pairs at three locations.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR DETECTION OF HPAI H5N8-BULGARIAN EXPERIENCE DURING THE EPIZOOTIC WAVE IN 2016/2017

In the 4 months spanning the 2016/2017 winter (October – January), HPAI H5N8 was the predominant serotype throughout European countries. Bulgaria, an important geographical location for migratory birds crossing Europe through the two major migratory flyways for Africa, was heavily affected with HPAI H5N8 outbreaks. The first detection of HPAI virus serotype H5N8 in Bulgaria was on the 19th of December 2016 in the Vidin region. Subsequently many outbreaks in wild birds and domestic poultry were reported in 15 different administrative regions. By the end of January 2017, the HPAI H5N8 strain was detected in domestic poultry, game birds, wild waterfowl, and zoo birds. The observed and reported symptoms were discoordination, laboured breathing, ataxia, opisthotonos, watery diarrhoea, sudden death, high mortality, weakness, and recumbency. In wild birds data for high mortality was only available for some species, with well-defined hyperaemia of the meninges and brain congestion with a singular haemorrhage being mainly observed, particularly in Dalmatian pelicans. These observations showcase the importance of rapid and accurate detection and subtyping of these HPAI viruses by research laboratories. To tackle this issue, the National Reference laboratory for Influenza A and Newcastle disease in Sofia adapted a modified real-time RT-PCR assay for detection of the N8 subtype in domestic and wild birds. The aim of this study is to present a Bulgarian experience in diagnosis of HPAI H5N8 subtype during 2016/2017 epizootic wave.

Резкое падение численности кудрявого пеликана Pelecanus crispus (Aves: Pelecaniformes) на Урале и в Западной Сибири в 2021 г.

The Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus (Bruch, 1832) is a globally rare species. Its extremely local ("point") placement during the nesting period on a few hard-to-reach water bodies distanced far from one another makes it a highly vulnerable species. In the end of the 20th century, the number of the species in Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Tyumen oblasts steadily grew. This was largely due to the redistribution of individuals from drying reservoirs of the more southern parts of the breeding range to the northern ones against the background of global climate warming. Thus, pelicans stopped nesting in the Svetlinsky Reserve (Orenburg oblast) due to the drought. In the spring and summer of 2021, the first mass deaths of these birds occurred in the history of study in the Urals and Western Siberia. During the observations of seven colonies in Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Tyumen oblasts using the DJI Mavic-2 Zoom drone, we found that many individuals did not return to the breeding grounds in the spring after wintering, and another part died at the height of the breeding season. As a result, the number of pelicans decreased by 70-80% in some colonies; in others, the proportion of dead birds was less, and some separate colonies were almost not affected at all. At the same time, in the western part of the study area (Chelyabinsk oblast), a significant part of the individuals died outside the breeding grounds, whereas in the eastern part, the birds died mainly in the breeding grounds and at a later time. In Kurgan oblast, the death of birds was noted in May, in Tyumen oblast it was in June. The total number of pelicans in the study area decreased from 1.2-1.4 thousand pairs to about 600 pairs (see the table). Six colonies were preserved; most of them now number 30-50 breeding pairs at best. However, in the study area, the largest colony (and the easternmost in the Okunevo Reserve (Tyumen oblast)) survived almost completely with about 400 pairs of pelicans continuing to breed. No more than 30 individuals died there, and this happened later than in other colonies, in July 2021. The main version of the cause of birds’ mass death is the epizootic of avian influenza which was tested in all samples (n = 5) taken from a colony in Tyumen oblast. Pelicans live in dense flocks all year round, and this could really contribute to the rapid spread of the infection. The facts of the birds’ death in various nesting sites located on a large territory, at a great distance from one another, make it seem that they contracted the virus in wintering areas. However, a number of questions remain unanswered. In particular, it is unclear how the infected birds were able to travel thousands of kilometers to their breeding grounds, why individuals of only one particular species died, why only adults died, and why they died at different times. Maybe, the avian influenza virus tested in the birds’ bodies was low-pathogenic and was not the cause of their death, but it was due to some other factor, such as food poisoning. It might be that the immunity of the birds was weakened by the abnormal heat that came to the study area since mid-May 2021. If the birds died from a highly pathogenic virus, it is unclear why this did not happen immediately after infection (in the wintering areas), but in a long time, at least from May to July. Moreover, the infection with the virus did not prevent the birds from arriving at breeding sites, building nests, laying eggs and starting to incubate. However, influenza viruses are very diverse and continue to evolve rapidly changing their properties and increasing resistance to the environment. Our understanding of the ecological factors favoring emergence and sustainability of these viruses is still limited. More efforts should certainly be made to save such a globally rare species as the Dalmatian pelican. At the moment, a large breeding colony on the territory of Western Siberia (on Tundrovo Lake in the Okunevo Reserve (Tyumen oblast)) remains the main breeding ground of the species in this area. Therefore, the importance of preserving this breeding colony comes to the fore. The article contains 1 Table, 42 References. The Author declares no conflict of interest.

Long-Term Changes in the Wintering Population of the Dalmatian Pelican along the Black Sea-Mediterranean Flyway

Understanding spatiotemporal dynamics in wildlife populations is of paramount importance for their effective conservation, however longitudinal studies are relatively scarce for most animal groups. Waterbirds are an exception however, since midwinter surveys have been implemented in most areas of the world for over four decades. The Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus is a globally threatened emblematic wetland species of the Palearctic, with a wide distribution in Europe and Asia. Its global population is divided into three distinct groups that coincide with the Black Sea-Mediterranean Flyway, the Central Asian Flyway and the East Asian Flyway. In this study we used International Waterfowl Census data to assess long-term changes in the wintering population of the Dalmatian Pelican pertaining to the Black Sea-Mediterranean Flyway. We report national and regional population trends in SE Europe and Turkey and explore spatiotemporal patterns in the wintering numbers and distribution of the species in relation to climate variability during the last two decades. Our key findings suggest that during the past 30 years the abundance of wintering Pelicans increased across the entire study area. Within the eastern subpopulation this increase was most accentuated in the northern edge of the species' wintering distribution, which was associated with a local warming trend, and was coupled with a north-eastern shift in the distribution pattern, yet not driven by climate conditions. Other contributing factors, such as winter site fidelity, local food availability, finer scale climatic and habitat conditions, but also carry-over effects should be considered in future studies. Given the advancement of first laying dates in Dalmatian Pelicans in almost all breeding sites and the strict timing of IWC counts, we also propose the implementation of species-specific winter surveys, independently from IWC, to obtain a more thorough understanding of the dynamics of the Dalmatian Pelican's wintering population.

Colonial nesting waterbirds as vectors of nutrients to Lake Lesser Prespa (Greece)

ABSTRACT The nutrients imported by breeding waterbirds should be considered when identifying the main sources of nutrient input to lakes. Lake Lesser Prespa (Greece), including the adjacent Vromolimni pond, hosts numerous protected waterbirds that nest in densely populated colonies across the reedbeds. The accelerated eutrophication of the lake in recent years has been of increasing concern. In addition to likely large sources of nutrients (i.e., anthropogenic activities, especially agriculture), nutrient input via waterbird excrement may further trigger eutrophication. We estimated the annual phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) input by the most abundant colonial-nesting waterbirds (great white pelican, Dalmatian pelican, great cormorant, and pygmy cormorant) into the lake and investigated their influence on water and sediment quality. Near the waterbird colonies, soluble nutrient concentrations in the lake sediments were higher, and chlorophyll measurements indicated higher algal growth near these sites in summer. Stable isotope analysis suggests that near the colonies, waterbirds are responsible for nutrient loadings that affect the lake sediment. The estimated N and P nutrient input into the lake by both pelican and cormorant species is at least 1243 and 1649 kg/yr, respectively. On a landscape scale, this level of loading could be of minor importance for the lake because N and P can reach 32.8 (SD 9.3) and 38.9 (5.8) mg/m2 per year, respectively. Locally, however, this level of loading might induce cyanobacterial blooms, illustrated by the analysis of isolated Vromolimni pond near the lake. Our findings emphasize the likely importance of nutrient loading by waterbirds for the lake system.

Interannual and Spatial Variability of Cyanotoxins in the Prespa Lake Area, Greece

The Prespa Lakes area in Greece—comprised partly of lake Great and lake Lesser Prespa and the Vromolimni pond—has a global importance for biodiversity. Although the waters show regular cyanobacteria blooms, assessments of water quality threats are limited. Samples collected in 2012 revealed scattered and low microcystin (MC) concentrations in Great Prespa (<0.2 μg MC L−1) whereas considerable spatial heterogeneity in both total chlorophyll (2.4–93 µg L−1) and MC concentrations (0.04–52.4 µg MC L−1) was detected in Lesser Prespa. In 2013, there was far less spatial variability of MC concentrations in Lesser Prespa (0.4–1.53 µg L−1), however in 2014, increased concentrations were detected near the lakeshore (25–861 µg MC L−1). In Vromolimni pond the MC concentrations were on average 26.6 (±6.4) µg MC L−1 in 2012, 2.1 (±0.3) µg MC L−1 in 2013 and 12.7 (±12.5) µg MC L−1 in 2014. In 2013, no anatoxins, saxitoxins, nor cylindrospermopsins were detected in Lesser Prespa and Vromolimni waters. Tissue samples from carps, an otter and Dalmatian Pelicans contained 0.4–1.9 µg MC g−1 dry weight. These results indicate that cyanotoxins could be a threat to the ecosystem functions of particularly Lesser Prespa and Vromolimni.

Seasonal fluctuation of birds in open landfill, Souk Ahras (Algeria)

Landfills have the advantage of meeting the energy needs of the birds quickly. They offer easy access to food and widely available throughout the year. In this study, birds were counted using observation points on an open landfill in the restored of Souk-Ahras region (north-eastern Algeria) for one year from July 2013 to April 2014. Seventeen species (17) bird species belonging to eleven (11) families were found: Ciconidae, Corvidae, Accipitridae, Passeridae, Hirundinidae, Motacillidae, Columbidae, Ardeidae, Sturnidae, Laridae, and Pelecanidae, among them sedentary species, migratory, the visitors, and invasive species, which are exploiting the discharge for feeding or rest. Species richness and abundance in landfill site were found to be higher than that of naturel habitat around the site. Their abundance varied according to the seasons.landfill site support both common bird species as: Columba palumbus, Columba livia, Streptopelia decaoto, Ciconia ciconia, Corvus corax. In addition to that, rare bird species such as Pelecanus crispus. Ecology and dynamic of each species, during an annual cycle of bird’s populations allow us observing all the interactions and reactions between the individuals and the different populations of birds. Souk Ahras landfill is a resting place and a source of food for birds, which means that it needs a censuses urgency update of migratory birds which frequent our region as well as monitor their state of health. It is also interesting to follow the process of colonization in urban Souk Ahras city.

Macro-anatomical investigations of the Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) liver

In this study, it was aimed to examine the macro-anatomical structure of the Dalmatian pelicans liver, which is one of the water birds. The macro-anatomical structure of the liver of three adult (3 female) Dalmatian pelicans found dead in ponds and reeds by villagers between 2015 and 2019 and brought to the Veterinary Faculty Application and Research Center was observed. By dissecting the cavum abdominis of the Dalmatian pelicans, the macro-anatomical structure of the liver and its lobes were revealed. Inspected parts were photographed. The liver of the Dalmatian pelican was topographically located on the dorsal of the cavum abdominis, with 3/4 protruding to the right and 1/4 to the left. It was determined that the liver consists of two lobes as lobus hepatis dexter and lobus hepatis sinister. There were impressions on the visceral face. A prominent incisura interlobaris was found between the lobes of the liver. Vesica biliaris were detected. In conclusions, important findings about the anatomical features of the liver structure were obtained in the study. It has been observed that the Dalmatian pelican has significant differences in liver structure. Macro-anatomically, it was determined that they have close similarities with other bird species.

Invasive raccoon dog depredation on nests can have strong negative impact on the Dalmatian pelican’s breeding population in Bulgaria

The Srebarna lake, near the Danube River, Bulgaria, is a key site for biodiversity, specifically for ornithofauna. Thus, it has been designated as a managed nature reserve, a biosphere reserve, a Ramsar site, an Important Bird Area and Natura 2000 sites. Srebarna (and recently Persina Island) hosts the only breeding colonies of the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) in Bulgaria, assessed as critically endangered in the Bulgarian Red Data Book (2015). In April 2019, through a remote-controlled video surveillance system, we captured for the first time depredation of eggs of Dalmatian pelican by raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). As a result of regular Raccoon dog raids (up to three individuals simultaneously), about 25 nesting pelican pairs (approximately 30% of the Bulgarian breeding population) were disturbed and left the breeding grounds looking for new nesting places. These observations show that even few individuals of an invasive species such as the Raccoon dog can have a strong negative impact on concentrations of an endangered species; this necessitates taking proactive measures to control and even remove this species.