Egretta Alba Modesta Research Articles

Prevalence and potential risk of Salmonella enterica in migratory birds from South Korea

Salmonella is a type of zoonotic bacteria that represents an economic and public health concern worldwide. Difficulties in sample collection from migratory birds mean little is known about their importance as a reservoir of Salmonella. The present study evaluated the prevalence and potential risk of Salmonella enterica in migratory birds. From 2012–2017, 3661 cloacal swabs from migratory birds were collected in South Korea and tested to isolate S. enterica. Strains were tested for antimicrobial resistance and the presence of virulence genes. Thirty-six S. enterica strains, including S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (n = 19), S. Berta (n = 16), and S. Virchow (n = 1), were isolated from 34 birds. Two migratory birds were simultaneously co-infected with two serotypes. S. enterica was isolated from the Mallard duck, Northern pintail, Eurasian wigeon, Spot-billed duck, Eastern great egret, and Intermediate egret. S. Virchow was resistant to ciprofloxacin, with a point mutation (Ser-83-Phe) in the gyrA gene. Ten virulence genes were detected; sixteen strains were positive for all ten virulence genes. Salmonella was isolated from different migratory bird species and geographic locations with up to 100 % similarity of PFGE type. Eight S. Virchow strains taken from migratory birds, poultry farms, and chicken meat showed the same PFGE type. Salmonella was transmitted across species, space, and time in migratory birds. These birds may play a role in the dispersal of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella and sporadic Salmonella infections in poultry; therefore, they may represent a direct or indirect public health threat.

개발지역의 서식지 훼손에 따른 백로류 종별 개체군 변화

This study aims to provide the biological and geographical materials to identify the changes in population of Family Ardeidae included Egretta alba modesta, Egretta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis, and Nycticorax nycticorax and establish their conservation measurement in terms of the fragmented and deteriorated habitat by human development such as housing and park projects. Wonjucheon Stream was measured the highest species diversity since the survey site was relatively less interfered by the surrounding human beings showing lower disturbance elements. However, the closer the stream comes downstream, the more the artificial disturbance elements generate, confirming that the species better adapted to contamination grow in more density so that the species composition becomes simplified. It implies that feeding place as well as breeding-growing places is also more closely related to the changes in population structure and species composition of Family Ardeidae. The results of Family Ardeidae immigration in Taejang-dong, Wonju, among the other survey sites, revealed that a total of 231 came to the site in 2006; and 210 in 2011, showing more or less reduction in the population. In the mean while, Namyang-dong in Hwaseong City showed the continuous decrease in population number of Family Ardeidae with 135 before development and 60 during development, resulting in the number never growing but continuously narrowing over and over after development. As a result of surveying the number of Family Ardeidae that bred following the findings above, Taejang-dong in Wonju City had 4 species of Family Ardeidae being bred, however, showing the decrease in number of population from 998 in 2006 to 589 in 2011. Namyang-dong in Hwaseong was confirmed to have as many as 352 of the population in 2006 and 230 in 2008; after the deforestation on their habitat, they had not lived in the site any longer, suggesting that the development would significantly affect Family Ardeidae.

Waterfowl Community and Protective Value at Gangjin Bay in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

This study conducted the total six times of survey at Gangjin Bay in Gyeongsangnamdo from June in 2012 to March in 2013. The number of waterfowl observed during the survey period was the total of 48 species and 17,799 individuals for the maximum number of individuals. The most dominant species was Aythya marila (37.0%), followed by Aythya ferina (28.8%). The monthly appearance species (appearance rate of 100%) was recorded as 7 species including Anas poecilorhyncha, Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba modesta, Egretta garzetta, Falco tinnunculus, Larus crassirostris, and Larus ridibundus. The legally protected species was found to be total 8 species including Endangered Species I (2 species), II (5 species), and natural monument (6 species). The mudflat grade for birds showed high protective value with II grade, which was the same grade as at Gangjin Bay and Muan Bay in Jeollanamdo. Therefore, it is suggested to prepare for the plan to protect and manage waterfowls and ducks at Gangjin Bay areas during the wintering season.

Bird diversity of Bigeum-do and Docho-do Islands in Sinan-gun, Korea

Survey results performed in June and September 2011 of Bigeum and Docho islands showed 3,828 individuals in 84 species of birds to understand bird diversity of the two islands through joint ecological surveys by Korean Biodiversity Consortium. Dominant species consist of 716 Hirundo rustica (18.70%), 707 Passer montanus (18.47%), 335 Charadrius alexandrinus (8.75%) and 197 Egretta alba modesta (5.15%). By months, 1,899 individuals of 58 species and 1,989 species of 62 species were discovered in June and September, respectively. However, the frequencies do not show much difference. Diversity and abundance of species are 3.07 and 10.06, respectively.

A Study on the Community of Waterbirds and Protective value at Gangjin Bay in Jeollanamdo, Korea

This study was conducted in Gangjin Bay of Jeollanam-do over a total of 8 sessions, once each month, between October of 2009 and May of 2010. A total of 9,647 birds of 63 species were observed during the study period. The most dominant species was Aythya ferina (18.5%), followed by, in decreasing order, Anas platyrhynchos (11.5%), Calidris alpine (9.6%) and Cygnus Cygnus (7.7%). Species which appeared in all months (100% occurrence rate) included a total of 5 species of Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba modesta, Egretta garzetta, Anas crecca and Anas poecilorhyncha. Furthermore, the study showed a total of 13 government protected species, 3 class-I endangered species, 8 class-II endangered species and 8 natural monument species. The Gangjin Bay region includes the Nakdong estuary, natural monument number 179, and provides stopping grounds for the Cygnus Cygnus, at the next highest number of birds. Furthermore, the region is characterized by the wintering of Cygnus Cygnus at a bird count higher than that of the Jindo Cygnus Cygnus migration destination, natural monument number 101. Therefore, there is a need for the designation of natural monuments and protected wetlands, as well as continued maintenance, in the Gangjin Bay region.

A Study on the Community Characteristics and Habitat use of Birds in Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea

This study was conducted to clarify the community characteristics of birds in Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea at June and September of 2010. The result observed a total of 6,557 birds of 98 species. Dominant species included, in decreasing order, Larus crassirostris 3,319 counts (50.62%), Passer montanus 664 counts (10.13%), Sterna hirundo 208 counts (3.17%), Paradoxornis webbianus and Egretta alba modesta 178 counts (2.71%). In terms of the families, the herons showed a total of 7 species at 303 counts, the ducks showed 4 species of 185 counts, the raptors showed 6 species of 26 counts, the waders showed 13 species of 114 counts, the gulls showed 8 species of 3,585 counts, the passerine birds showed 56 species of 2,323 counts and others (Grebe, Cormorant, Pheasant, Moorhen) showed only 4 species of 26 counts. In terms of the number of species’ habitat usage, the forest area showed the highest level of species at 52 species, and human inhabited areas showed the lowest level at 14 species.

Avifauna of Southern Coast of Ganghwado, Seokmodo and Gyodongdo

In June and September of 2009, a total of 11,590 individuals (sum of maximum individuals by each species) of 68 species of 31 families and 12 orders were found in the southern coast of Ganghwado (island), Seokmodo (island) and Gyodongdo (island). Dominant species included, in decreasing order of, Larus crassirostris (29.18%, 3,382 individuals), Larus saundersi (10.52%, 1,219 individuals), Egretta garzetta (9.19%, 1,065 individuals), Egretta alba modesta (9.01%, 1,044 individuals) and Numenius madagascariensis (8.57%, 993 individuals). In June of 2009 (1st survey), the study recorded a total of 4,915 individuals of 50 species, and in September of 2009 (2nd survey), a total of 8,246 individuals of 45 species were recorded. The number of birds was relatively low in the 1st survey, but its species diversity (H′) of 2.35 and species richness (Da) of 4.76 were higher than those of the 2nd survey, with the H’ of 2.22 and Da of 4.87. Furthermore, depending on the region, Seokmodo (island) recorded the highest species diversity (37 species) in the 1st survey, with H’ of 2.57 and Da of 5.59, and in the 2nd survey, Gyodongdo (island) recorded the highest species diversity of 36 species, at H’ of 2.46 and Da of 4.79. In this study, Egretta eulophote and Platalea minor, natural mouments numbers 361 and 205-1, as well as 1st grade endangered species, along with 13 government protected species, were found.

Breeding Season Diets of Egrets in Southeast Australia: Implications for Future Population Viability

Abstract Populations of egrets and other waterbirds in the Murray-Darling Basin of eastern Australia are declining. River regulation and increasing frequency of droughts are considered to be mainly responsible by reducing the frequency and extent of flooding to temporary wetlands. However, other changes have occurred to wetlands, such as the introduction of non-native fish, widespread severe declines in the abundance of native fish, increased salinity, sediment and nutrient concentrations, and removal of aquatic vegetation by livestock grazing. Current knowledge of the diets of egrets is inadequate for an assessment of any ecological implications arising from these changes. In this study the breeding season diets of Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta and Intermediate Egret A. intermedia were quantified at a colony in the Murray Basin. Eastern Great Egrets depended mainly on introduced Common Carp Cyprinus carpio (94% of diet biomass), a species regarded as a severe pest of river systems and wetlands within...

Seasonal change and interspecific comparison of foraging behavior in two heron species

ABSTRACT The foraging behaviors of the Eastern Great Egret and the Little Egret were studied along a tidal river, the Umi River, Fukuoka City. Interspecific and seasonal differences in the behavior of the two species were derived from a combination of morphological characters and prey availability. Morphological characters were presumed to influence foraging site selection, and each species adopted foraging methods that were best suited to the most abundant prey in their chosen sites. The foraging methods adopted by each egret species were affected by prey characteristics, especially prey mobility. Seasonal differences in egret foraging behavior resulted from seasonal changes in prey availability at each foraging site.

Ecological and human dimensions of tourism‐related wildlife disturbance: White herons at waitangiroto, New Zealand

Uncontrolled growth in wildlife‐viewing tourism has the potential to have unacceptable impacts on wildlife populations. The problem is complex because (1) quantifying impacts is technically difficult, and (2) assessing the ‘acceptability’ of such impacts is inherendy subjective. This paper reports the findings of a three‐stage case study of wildlife‐viewing of die white heron (Egretta alba modesta) colony at Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, New Zealand. The first phase involved qualitative interviews with stakeholders to document their concerns about wildlife‐viewing at the colony. Selected concerns were then addressed by direct and video observation of tourist/wildlife interactions on the Waitangiroto waterway. In the third stage, stakeholders were asked to evaluate the acceptability of various hypotherical disturbance scenarios. When the outcomes of the field observations were then revealed, the stakeholders altered and reprioritized their original concerns. The researchers conclude that quantitative data on wildlife population dynamics and behavior are vital, but not alone sufficient, for sound management of wildlife/tourist interactions.

Effects of colony nesting of Adrea cinerea and Egretta alba modesta on soil properties and herb layer composition in a Pinus densiflora forest

Effects of colony nesting of herons on soil properties and herb layer composition in Pinus densiflora forest were studied at Pomaeri, Kangwon Province in Korea. Herons have used this habitat as a nesting site from January to October every year. In 1995, more than 500 herons were observed in this habitat. Nutrient content of soil was much higher at the nesting site than that of the non-nesting site (control). Total nitrogen concentration of soil at the nesting site and the control site was 14.8±1.85 mg g-1 and 2.8±0.35 mg g-1, respectively. Phosphorus content of soil in the nesting site was 32 times greater than that of the control site. This is evidently due to the addition of feces of the herons, and decomposition of thin twigs and organic debris from the canopy of dead trees and bird nests. Light intensity at herb layer of the nesting site and of the control site was 80% and 20%, respectively, of incident on outside forest. Species diversity of herb layer in the nesting site (9 species) was quite lower than that in the control site (14 species). Similarity index of the herb layer between the two sites was 0.07. The nesting site was dominated by indicator species of soil eutrophication such as Humulus japonicus, Persicaria perfoliata, Persicaria fauriei, Commelina communis, Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum. Changes of herb species composition in the nesting site was evidently due to the eutrophication of the soil and increased light intensity of the herb layer.

Habitat Selection, Foraging Behaviour and Prey of Five Heron Species in Japan

Habitat selection, foraging behaviour and prey items of five species of herons were studied at an estuary in Chiba Prefecture, central Japan. The two largest species, the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea and the Great White Egret Egretta alba modesta fed mainly on the tidal flat and in the river. The three smaller species, the Intermediate Egret E.intermedia, the Little Egret E.garzetta and the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis fed mainly on farmland. The Great White Egret and Little Egret were habitat generalists using all types of habitat, whilst the three other species seemed to be habitat specialists. Grey Herons fed only in large bodies of water; Cattle Egrets were highly terrestrial feeders; Intermediate Egrets preferred farmlands or wet habitats but avoided both large bodies of water and dry habitats. The primary foraging behaviour of Grey Herons was Standing by which method they captured large prey. Great White Egrets adopted a Walking Slowly method as well as Standing, and they took significantly smaller prey than Grey Herons. Intermediate Egrets adopted mainly Walking Slowly, Standing and slow foraging behaviours, in contrast to Little Egrets that used Walking Quickly and very active foraging behaviours. Cattle Egrets foraged mainly by Walking Slowly, but also adopted active foraging behaviours. In their feeding ecology, the Grey Heron, Intermediate Egret and Little Egret in Japan seemed to be, respectively, ecological counterparts to the Great Blue Heron A.herodias, Little Blue Heron E. caerulea and Snowy Egret E.thula in North America. Recent population declines of the Intermediate Egret may be related to deterioration of the farmland habitats upon which this species depends.

Breeding Success of Egrets Related to Rainfall: A Six-Year Australian Study

The breeding success of four egret species (Egretta alba modesta, E, intermedia Plumifera, E. garzetta immaculata and Ardeola ibis coromandus) was monitored over six seasons at two colonies in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, For all species the mean number of young fledged per successful nest fluctuated among breeding seasons, with the greatest success in wet years. In decreasing order, the greatest fluctuations occurred in E. garzetta, E. alba and E. intermedia. The breeding success of A. ibis did not vary consistently with wet and dry breeding seasons. The three Egretta species are, to varying degrees, aquatic feeders, whereas A. ibis feeds mostly in dryland habitats and is less dependent on wetlands than the other three species. We postulate that food availability is the ultimate factor controlling breeding success.

Trematode infections in the small intestine of Egretta alba modesta in Kangwon-do

We surveyed 12 migrating large egrets, Egretta alba modesta, for their infection status with intestinal trematodes, from June to September, 1990. All of them were infected with one or more flukes. Total 5 species were identified. Their infection rates and total numbers of worms were Metagonimus sp. 67% and 1,412, Centrocestus armatus 67% and 2,306, Echinochasmus japonicus 50% and 99, Strigea falconis 83% and 635, and a diplostomid fluke 33% and 36. The number of worms in a bird was in the range from 6 to 896. This is the first record that the egret is a reservoir host of Metagonimus sp., C. armatus, E. japonicus, and S. falconis. S. falconis is a new parasite fauna in Korea. Migrating birds must play an important role in the transmission and spreading of these intestinal trematodes in Korea.

Distribution of heavy metals and their age-related changes in the eastern great white egret, Egretta alba modesta, in Korea.

Organ and tissue distribution of eight metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Hg) and their age-related changes were investigated in the chick and adult eastern great white egret,Egretta alba modesta, collected in Korea. High concentrations of the metals were found in the liver, kidney, feathers, bone, and skin; low values were found in the muscle and brain. A majority of the metal burdens in the chick and adult egrets existed in the muscle, bone, and feathers; about 50% of the Hg was in the feathers. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in organs and tissues of the chicks characteristically changed with age, and their accumulations depended upon the metabolic turnover. In contrast, the concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cd, and Hg increased with age, suggesting that age or exposure time is a dominant factor. However, the younger stage of the downy chicks showed a rapid accumulation plateau of Pb, Ni, Cd, and Hg, and a dilution effect of these metal concentrations by increased body weight with age also was observed. Furthermore, rapid decreases of the body burden of Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg were found in the fledgling birds, indicating that the metals were excreted via the feathers by moulting. These results indicate that consideration of the growth stage of organs and tissues is necessary for understanding the bioaccumulation processes and the toxicological criteria of the metals.

Heavy metal distribution in organs and tissues of the eastern great white egret Egretta alba modesta.

The eastern great white egret (Egretta alba modesta) is relatively a large and long-life bird species, which migrates for breeding to Korea, China and Japan late in March or early in April, and returns to Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia for wintering late in August or early in October. As the bird is placed in a high trophic level in the food web, it is useful as an indicator species for environmental pollution of heavy metals and other chemicals and also for understanding the bioaccumulation processes of pollutants. The primary purpose of this paper is to present the detailed distribution characteristics of eight metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Hg) in different organs and tissues of the eastern great white egret. Based upon these results, the suitability of the organs of an egret for ecological and physiological comparison is also discussed.

Biometry of Growth and Food Habits of Young of the Eastern Great White Egret, Egretta alba modesta, in Korea

Biometry of Growth and Food Habits of Young of the Eastern Great White Egret, Egretta alba modesta, in Korea

Age-dependent alterations in hepatic subcellular copper distribution and plasma ceruloplasmin.

Age-dependent alterations in hepatic subcellular copper distribution and plasma ceruloplasmin.

On the food habits of some herons

The food habits of the following species of Herons in Saitama Prefecture were analyzed from their stomach contents: Egretta alba modesta, Egretta intermedia intermedia, Egretta garzetta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis coromandus, Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax. Their common feeding grounds were rice fields but specific difference of food items were found, as shown below:E. alba modesta Crustacea 63.5% Pisces 27%E. i. intermedia Insecta 44.4% Pisces 23.2% Amphibia 18, 4%Crustacea 11.4%E. g. garzetta Crustacea 41.8% Piscea 27.0% Insecta 26.5%B. ibis coromandus Insecta 92.2%N. n. nycticorax Pisces 56.0% Insecta 28.4% Amphibia 9.8%Nearly all of their foods were animal matter, except a few crops of rice which were accidentally eaten. They thus have no immediate relation to the rice plants, but are beneficial, feeding on American crawfish, locust, mole-cricket and gadfly, etc, though the Night Heron is rather noxious much eating fishes and amphibia. Difference of food items was found compared with Ikeda's result obtained from a coastal area.

Some Observations on Egretta alba modesta in the Kansai District

[in Japanese]