Fulica Atra Research Articles

Consistent choice of landscape urbanization level across the annual cycle in a migratory waterbird species

Rapid urbanization has a great impact on avian distribution, ecology, habitat selection, and behavior. Recent avian studies indicated that individuals remain consistent in their behavioral responses to human disturbance across short periods of time. However, there is still little information about keeping consistent behaviors in distinct locations across different stages of the annual cycle. In this study, we aimed to test for long-term consistency in habitat selection with respect to urbanization in a migratory waterbird species, the Eurasian coot Fulica atra. For this purpose, we individually marked ca. 300 coots from four populations that varied in urbanization level and tracked their habitat preferences during the non-breeding season. We found that individuals from urban breeding populations selected habitats with a higher share of artificial areas during the non-breeding season, when compared to non-urban individuals. Also, a comparison of non-breeding sites selected by birds from our study populations with random sites showed that urban birds selected sites with higher urbanization level than resulting from random availability. Finally, we found a seasonal variation in habitat preferences in coots—individuals from all study populations selected more urbanized areas as the non-breeding season progressed. The results indicate that birds are able to remain consistent in habitat preferences not only at a large geographical scale, but also across different seasons. Marked between-population variation in habitat selection across the annual cycle may reflect personality differences of coots from urban and non-urban populations, and it stays in line with the personality-matching habitat choice hypothesis.

Breeding Biology of the Lald (Fulica atra L.) at the Water Treatment Facilities of the Kharkov City.

Introduction.The anthropization of ecosystems is an important factor for the evolution of species and adaptation processes. Fulica atra L. is a fairly abundant species of wetlands in Ukraine. The adaptation of the coot to anthropogenic territories occurs during the winter period in cities, later birds remain in these areas for nesting.Purpose.To assess the current state of the coot population at water treatment facilities and Lake Novy Liman, which are the parts of the territory of the city of Kharkov. Studies of nesting biology of Fulica atra on Lake Novy Liman and silt sites of treatment facilities make it possible to assess the current state of the population of the species in the water bodies of Kharkov, as well as important for completeness assessments of the distribution of birds in wetlands.Methods. The studies were carried out in 2020-2021 during expedition trips to Lake Novy Liman and biological treatment facilities No 2 in Kharkov.Results.The nesting biology of the coot (Fulica atra L.) was investigated at the silt sites of water treatment facilities of the biological treatment complex No 2 in Kharkov and Lake Novy Liman in April-June 2020-2021. The reproduction biology of 73 pairs of coot was studied. To set the nesting density, a map with the coordinates of the nests has been created. The first eggs in clutches were found on average on April 16±1,4 at an average daily temperature of +5 ± 1,73 ̊Сat night and +20 ± 0,89 ̊Сduring the day in 2020 and on April 18±1,9 at +14,9 ± 3,08 ̊Сduring the day and +5 ± 2,76 ̊Сat night in 2021. Average clutch size 7,1 ± 1,13 eggs. First chicks: May 8-10. Average egg size (n = 223): 53,37 ± 2,56 x 37,05 ±1,45 mm. Vertebrates and birds of prey have been identified that can affect the breeding success of the coot.Originality.For the first time, a study of the breeding biology of the coot was carried out on the territory of treatment facilities and their surroundings.Conclusion.Wastewater treatment plants are an important place in the city of Kharkov, where birds undergo the process of adaptation to the anthropogenic landscape.Key words: coot, nestingbiology, egg laying, sewage treatment plants, Novy Lyman lake.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ СРОКОВ ОТКРЫТИЯ ЛЕТНЕ-ОСЕННЕЙ ЛЮБИТЕЛЬСКОЙ И СПОРТИВНОЙ ОХОТЫ НА ВОДОПЛАВАЮЩУЮ ДИЧЬ НА СЕВЕРЕ НИЖНЕГО ПОВОЛЖЬЯ

In accordance with Russian legislation, the timing of hunting for game birds can be adjusted at the regional level. Biological justification can be crucial in determining the timing of the hunt, namely the timing of the start and end of the hunting season. Based on the registration of waterfowl, a biological justification for the timing of the opening of hunting in the summer-autumn and autumn-winter seasons is given. The studies were carried out in the Saratov region in the water area of the Volga River (Volgograd reservoir). A total of 7 surveys were carried out, the total length of the survey routes was 100.6 km. The dominant species in the brood period is the mallard. Shares of recorded birds: mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L, 1758) - 96.6%, coot (Fulica atra L, 1758) - 2.5%, teal-cattle (Anas querquedula L, 1758) - 0.9%. The beginning of the mallard incubation period in 2020 is the first decade of May. The period of mass incubation of masonry by mallards is from the third decade of May to the second decade of June. The first mallard chicks appeared in the third decade of May. From the second decade of June to the second decade of July - the period of mass appearance of mallard chicks. The proportion of non-flying young mallards in the second decade of August was 33.3%, in the third decade of August - 28.3%. The end of the period of mass rise of young mallards "on the wing" took place in the first ten days of September, the proportion of non-flying young mallards in this period amounted to 4.3%. The increase in the number of mallards in the second and third ten days of July amounted to 142.0%. The beginning of the migratory summer-autumn period of 2020 (for species that do not tend to nest in the study area) fell on the first ten days of September. Biologically substantiated period for the opening of hunting in the summer-autumn and autumn-winter season is the first ten days of September (the share of non-flying young animals is less than 10%).

Habitat diversity enriches waterbird community at Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant in South Australia

The wastewater treatment plant at Bolivar in South Australia contains three groups of ponds which provide different managed habitats. Ponds 1, 2 and 3 contain a constant level of water of >1 metre in depth throughout the year, whereas in Ponds 4, 5 and 6 the water level is reduced each year with the result that the ponds become largely dry for several weeks from late summer. The third group of eight ponds, the sludge lagoons, are anaerobic and each year two or three of these ponds gradually dry out. In this study, we compared the abundance of the various species of waterbirds on these three groups of ponds throughout the period from September 2021 until December 2023. We found major differences in abundance of birds between the three groups. Most of the waders, together with Black Swan Cygnus atratus, Hardhead Aythya australis and Eurasian Coot Fulica atra, were largely present on Ponds 4–6, whereas Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis, dabbling ducks, and three species of cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae) tended to be more abundant on Ponds 1–3, with the sludge lagoons generally having mainly Grey Teal Anas gracilis.

Habitat selection of Coot (Fulica atra) and Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in a remnant Mediterranean wetland (Italy): Implications for conservation

AbstractThe habitat selection of two abundant and widespread Palearctic rallids (Coot Fulica atra; Moorhen Gallinula chloropus) across a range of wetland types was investigated. The distribution of these two species varied according to water depth, as implied by the dominant vegetation present in the study area. Coots most frequently used wet dune slacks dominated by Phragmites australis, whereas Moorhens were mostly present in anthropized ecotones. It is hypothesized that because these two rallid species respond differently to various environmental pressures, they could be used as useful indicators for biomonitoring remnant wetlands. Indeed, they are relatively generalist, common, widespread and medium‐sized species, relatively easy to detect and exhibit a high sensitivity to specific water‐related habitat types, also at a small‐scaled spatial resolution.

Is the spread of the alien water boatman Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis (Hemiptera, Corixidae) aided by zoochory and drought resistant eggs?

Abstract Desiccation resistance is a key trait determining the distribution of aquatic insects, their potential for overland dispersal, and survival during drought periods in temporary waterbodies, as well as the spread of invasive species. Passive dispersal by waterbirds is considered to be a key process favouring the spread of invasive species and is more likely to occur for insects with eggs that are resistant to desiccation or gut passage. We investigated the hypothesis that the eggs of the alien boatman Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis are resistant to desiccation and digestion and thus able to disperse via waterbirds. We conducted experiments to test for egg resistance to desiccation in still air and under moving air conditions, to simulate bird flight. Oviposition on greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) legs and wetland plants was tested in the laboratory and in the field. Resistance of eggs to simulated gut passage was studied, as was the viability of eggs recovered from Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) droppings in the field. Only a fraction of eggs hatched after 8 hr of exposure to still air at 15°C (4% of exposed eggs), and after 2 hr exposure to air flow conditions at 20°C (8%). Oviposition on flamingo legs was confirmed in the laboratory but not in the field. However, oviposition rates were higher on plant stems than on flamingo legs. Digestion simulations showed very low resistance to chemical treatment and no resistance to scarification, and eggs recovered from coot droppings did not hatch. Our experiments demonstrated that T. v. verticalis cannot be considered to have eggs resistant to desiccation or gut passage. However, the dispersal of eggs on legs of flamingos or other waterbirds may occur as rare events. This epizoochory of eggs could potentially contribute to the expansion and gene flow of T. v. verticalis around the Mediterranean region.

Underwater video and still‐image dataset of fishes and other aquatic animals in Lake Biwa, Japan, observed via carp‐mounted video loggers

AbstractThis is the first large dataset of underwater videos from which species occurrence and behavioral records of aquatic organisms were identified in Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. We compiled 109 videos and 122 still‐images of fishes, diving birds and shrimps. The images were cropped from videos taken underwater with animal‐borne video cameras which were mounted on the backs of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The attribute of each image and its occurrence of organisms were formatted according to the Darwin Core Archive which was developed by the Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG), and the dataset is available via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Our dataset includes records of 10 species, 4 genera, 2 families and 1 infraorder which includes mostly fishes, several birds and a crustacean. The fish records include a threatened endemic fish, the “gengorou‐buna” crucian carp (Carassius cuvieri), and two alien fishes, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). We confirmed several types of intraspecific and interspecific relationships between video‐mounted carp and other organisms; for example, most video‐mounted carp frequently approached or chased conspecifics upon encountering, which sometimes led to two carp feeding side by side. At least three avian species also appeared in the dataset: Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), but there was no apparent interaction between carp and these birds. Our underwater videos reveal and highlight the rich biodiversity of the lake today, providing clear evidence for behavior of aquatic organisms under natural conditions.The complete data set for this abstract published in the Data Paper section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2020-18.1/jalter-en.

MIGRATORY WETLAND BIRDS DIVERSITY IN LOWER CHOTA NAGPUR PLATEAU WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PURULIA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Lower Chota Nagpur Plateau has several large and small water bodies having diverse aquatic flora and fauna. These wetlands not only provide suitable habitat for resident and as well as migratory avian species but also contribute much to the biodiversity. The present study deals with the diversity, abundance and variations of avian migratory species at wetlands of Purulia district. The study reflects that there are 43 migratory bird species in number in these wetland regions belonging to 8 orders and 12 families. Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Coot etc. are found in large number in winter season in these wetlands.

A fine-grained bird Atlas as tool for spatial monitoring: a case study from a remnant wetland during the breeding period (Torre Flavia, central Italy)

During the 2019 breeding period we carried out a bird atlas for a small coastal natural reserve (Torre Flavia wetland, Special Protection Area IT6030020, central Italy), comparing quantitative data of spatial occurrences with records from an analogous study carried out in 2005. From 2005 to 2019 some water-related species increased their frequency of occurrence (Fulica atra, significantly). Among the reed and rush-bed species, Acrocephalus scirpaceus spatially increased and Cisticola juncidis decreased significantly. Among ecotonal, synanthropic and open habitat species, we registered a significant increase of Chloris chloris. A decreasing trend of Passer italiae, Saxicola torquatus, Emberiza calandra, although not significant, may be probably linked to regional or continental factors. Both causes at local (reedbed expansion, rushbed reduction, water-level management) and at larger scale (decline in their continental range) can explain the observed changes in spatial occurrences during this medium-long temporal range. Local atlases can be quick tools useful to drive management strategies in remnant wetlands.

Biodiversity and phenological status of the waterbirds of the Lac des Oiseaux (Northeast of Algeria)

Counts carried out over two consecutive years (from September 2017 to August 2019) of waterbirds occupying the Lac des Oiseaux (Ramsar site, wilaya of El-Tarf, extreme north-eastern Algeria) showed a species richness estimated at 38 waterbird species belonging to 11 families. The Anatidae and Scolopacidae with 10 and 7 species respectively are the most families represented. The former are mainly observed during the wintering season and the latter during the summer period. From an effective point of view, Anatidae and Rallidae, mainly the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra are the most abundant. From a phenological point of view, eleven species are summering, ten are resident and wintering and eight are sporadic species.

Structure of waterbird assemblages in fragmented coastal wetlands of Northeastern Algeria

This study was carried out from 2007-2017 at the ecological complex of the Jijel wetlands in the north-east of Algeria. Censuses were conducted during the twelve months of each year to study variation in richness and abundance of waterbird populations for each season. We used distance sampling (point count and transect methods). A total of sixty species (eleven orders and sixteen families) were recorded. The Anatidae and Scolopacidae families were the most numerous with thirteen species. The common coot (Fulica atra), and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were the most abundant and frequent species each year. About 70 % of the species recorded occur as migrants, passing between the western Palearctic and their winter quarters in North Africa. Phenologically, we found 15 % were breeders, and from the point of view conservation status, 56 % were rare, 40 % were protected by Algerian regulations and 8 % were threatened species listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Our results of ornithological monitoring in the wetlands in Algeria show that action is needed to address the consequences between birds, human activities, and climate change.

Structure of waterbird assemblages in fragmented coastal wetlands of Northeastern Algeria

This study was carried out from 2007-2017 at the ecological complex of the Jijel wetlands in the north-east of Algeria. Censuses were conducted during the twelve months of each year to study variation in richness and abundance of waterbird populations for each season. We used distance sampling (point count and transect methods). A total of sixty species (eleven orders and sixteen families) were recorded. The Anatidae and Scolopacidae families were the most numerous with thirteen species. The common coot (Fulica atra), and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were the most abundant and frequent species each year. About 70 % of the species recorded occur as migrants, passing between the western Palearctic and their winter quarters in North Africa. Phenologically, we found 15 % were breeders, and from the point of view conservation status, 56 % were rare, 40 % were protected by Algerian regulations and 8 % were threatened species listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Our results of ornithological monitoring in the wetlands in Algeria show that action is needed to address the consequences between birds, human activities, and climate change. Data published through GBIF (Doi:10.15470/oud0fp)

The effect of climate change on laying dates, clutch size and productivity of Eurasian Coots Fulica atra

Climate change is affecting many living organisms; however, the responses of many of them remain unknown. In this paper, we present the results regarding the response of a bird species from the rallid family to the increased temperatures during the breeding season. We analysed the breeding data of Eurasian Coots nesting during 30 seasons between 1972 and 2019. During the study period, mean temperatures in April, the month when Coots start nesting, increased by 3.5 °C, and in months corresponding with the species breeding season by 2.6 °C. Breeding Coots advanced their earliest and median laying dates across the study period; however, the duration of their breeding season remained unchanged. We did not detect any significant temporal changes in clutch size, but clutches have become much more variable in size throughout the study period. Nest failures and production of offspring per nest did not change over the study period; however, the production of young per successful nest significantly declined. It is likely that this decline is the effect of mismatch between the period of food abundance (dipterans collected from water), and hatchling emergence, which is advanced due to change in climate. Future studies investigating the occurrence of dipteran resources at water bodies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Ecology of Avian Settlements in Lake Tonga (Northern Algeria)

Lake Tonga is an integral reserve within the El-Kala National Park, Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar site. This study consists in determining the diversity and phenology status of waterbirds in this reserve over an entire annual cycle (2017–2018). The census was carried out from fixed observation points. Of the 35 species recorded, wintering birds dominate with 12 species (34 %), followed by breeding sedentary species with 11 species (32 %). The breeding water bird populations are dominated by the common coot Fulica atra, (with a maximum of 6,033 birds) followed by the Anatidae, Herons and Grebes. Lake Tonga is a breeding area for several avian species and a recruitment site for a multitude species bird during the wintering period. Three Anatidae nest at Lake Tonga: the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala, the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca and the mallard Anas platyrhynchos.

Egg spottiness reflects female condition, physiological stress, and ornament expression in a common rallid species

Lay Summary • There is equivocal support for direct associations between maternal quality and deposition of protoporphyrin pigmentation (dark spots and blotches) in avian eggshells. • Research on protoporphyrin eggshell pigmentation has primarily focused on a single avian order (Passeriformes). • We examined associations of protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation with female phenotypic and genetic traits in a non-passerine species, the Eurasian Coot. • Deposition of protoporphyrin in eggshells (total number per area of egg spots) positively correlated with female condition and expression of a putative bare-part ornament (frontal shield), while it was negatively associated with the level of physiological stress. • Protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation acts as a reliable signal of female phenotypic (but not genetic) traits in the Eurasian Coot. • Signaling properties of protoporphyrin-based egg coloration are likely to largely differ between different evolutionary lineages of birds.

Study of some heamatological parameters of infected pigeons Columba livia and coots Fulica atra infected with Hadjelia truncata nematods

This study was conducted in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf province, from the beginning of September/ 2019 until January 2020, to identify the effect of the nematode Hadjelia truncata, on some heamatological parameters of two types of birds, coot Fulica atra and pigeon Columba livia. Samples of worms, isolated from birds’ gizzards were sent to the Natural History Museum in Baghdad, as they are being studied for the first time, for the purpose of diagnosing samples, while traditional methods were adopted to detect heamatological parameters, for both infected and uninfected birds in order to make comparisons between them, where diagnostics revealed the Infection of Columba livia and Fulica atra with Hadjelia truncata. For both types, the results showed a clear decrease in hemoglobin (Hb), and the volume of packed blood cells (PCV) compared to the control groups, where the values ​​were (8.5 g/ml) and (25.6%) in Fulica atra, respectively, while they were in Columba livia (15.6 g/ml) and (36.6%), respectively. The increase was clear and noticeable for the WBC numbers of both Fulica atra and Columba livia, as they were (31.9 × 109/ L) and (1.0 × 109/ L) respectively. For the biochemical indicators, the results showed a decrease in the glucose concentration ratios for Fulica atra by (61mg/dl), and an increase for Columba livia by (162 mg/dl). The results of the affected birds of both types were in agreement, in the high blood cholesterol concentration, as the Fulica atra recorded (338 mg/dl), while the Columba livia recorded (233 mg/dl), and the proportions of Ca + 2 and the AST enzyme were also in agreement in terms of decrease for both the two birds were the values ​​(11.4 mg/dl) and (15 U/L) for the Fulica atra, respectively, and (8.5 mg/dl) and (19.2 U/L) for the Columba livia, respectively. The results differed in protein and bilirubin concentrations, which showed an increase in Fulica atra by (5.7 IU/L) and (0.8 mg/dl), respectively, and a decrease in Columba livia, which recorded (3.0 IU/L) and (0.5 mg/dl), respectively.

Distribution and numbers of waterbird species breeding in the city of Wrocław

Abstract During the years 2003-2010, the numbers of pairs of waterbird species breeding in the city of Wrocław (293 km2) were assessed. The city is situated in Odra valley, where four smaller rivers join it. The city abandons in oxbows, gravel and sand, and clay pits and other water bodies. In total, 20 waterbird species were recorded as breeding in Wrocław. The most common were Anas platyrhynchos (145-212 pairs), and Fulica atra (70-104 pairs). Relatively common were also the Gallinula chloropus (28-37 pairs), Rallus aquaticus (9-25 pairs) and Cygnus olor (9-11 pairs). For each remaining species less than 10 pairs were recorded. Among rare species, the following were recorded as breeding in Wrocław: Grus grus, Mergus merganser, and Porzana porzana. In the few recent decades, the increase in the number of breeding pairs was recorded for Anas platyrhynchos and Cygnus olor; while a parallel decrease was recorded for Fulica atra, Gallunula chloropus, Chroicocephalus ridibudnus, and Tachybaptus ruficollis. Species such as the Aythya fuligula, Aythya ferrina, grebes, gulls and terns avoid the city. Some of them even ceased to breed (Anas quarquedula, Anas clypeata and Botaurus stellaris). The city plays an important role in protecting water bird species such as Grus grus, Cygnus olor, Porzana porzana and Alcedo atthis.

Differences in eggshell pigmentation pattern between Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and Eurasian Coot Fulica atra eggs

Abstract Facultative avian brood parasites increase their reproductive output by laying eggs in the nests of conspecifics or closely related species. The Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus is a well-known facultative brood parasite that nests in wetlands, which are utilised also by a wide range of waterfowl, including the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra. The two species breed in similar habitats and have a similar egg pigmentation pattern; thus, the Coot can be a suitable host of brood-parasitic Moorhen. To study whether there is any discernible difference between the spotting pattern of Coot and Moorhen eggs, we compared the density of different sized spots on eggs of the two species. Our results show that Coot eggs have a significantly higher density of small speckles then Moorhen eggs, while the latter species has eggs with more conspicuous larger spots. Therefore, Coots can possibly rely on these differences in eggshell pattern to recognize and eject the brood parasitic Moorhen eggs.

Changes in numbers and distribution of wintering waterbirds at the south coast of Scania, Sweden, during 55 winters, 1964–2018

The south coast of Scania, southernmost Sweden, has long been an important wintering and staging area for waterbirds. A large part of the coast was surveyed annually as a part of the international midwinter counts for 55 years (1964–2018). The total number of wintering waterbirds showed an increasing trend but there was much variation between years. Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, followed by Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula and—during the early years—Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis, dominated the community. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Mallard, Common Goldeneye and Eurasian Coot Fulica atra increased in numbers, reflecting the national and international trends related to milder winters and a northward shift of the winter distribution. Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus established wintering traditions in the area during the study period. Tufted Duck and Common Merganser Mergus merganser decreased locally due to a northward shift of the wintering distribution northwards within the country. The Long-tailed Duck was an important winter guest in the first years but was only seen in very small numbers in later years, reflecting the general and large-scale decrease of the Baltic wintering population.

Developmental mechanisms underlying webbed foot morphological diversity in waterbirds

The webbed feet of waterbirds are morphologically diverse and classified into four types: the palmate foot, semipalmate foot, totipalmate foot, and lobate foot. To understand the developmental mechanisms underlying this morphological diversity, we conducted a series of comparative analyses. Ancestral state reconstruction based on phylogeny assumed that the lobate feet possessed by the common coot and little grebe arose independently, perhaps through distinct developmental mechanisms. Gremlin1, which encodes a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist and inhibits interdigital cell death (ICD) in the foot plate of avian embryos, remained expressed in the interdigital tissues of webbed feet in the duck, common coot, little grebe, and great cormorant. Differences in Gremlin1 expression pattern and proliferating cell distribution pattern in the toe tissues of the common coot and little grebe support the convergent evolution of lobate feet. In the totipalmate-footed great cormorant, Gremlin1 was expressed in all interdigital tissues at St. 31, but its expression disappeared except along the toes by St. 33. The webbing of the cormorant’s totipalmate foot and duck’s palmate foot may have risen from distinct developmental mechanisms.