Greater Bird Diversity Research Articles

Avian diversity in river levee forest: the effect of microscale heterogeneity

Introduction: Levee forests exhibit a vertical stratification that may contribute to structural complexity allowing a great diversity of birds to thrive on the islands. In deltaic ecosystems there is scarce or no data to prove it. Objectives: To assess variations in the composition of the bird community within levee forests. Methods: Two areas of protected wetlands belonging to the Paraná River Delta in Argentina were sampled for three years. A comparative analysis of richness, abundance, and diversity was performed in different levee forests using the point count method. Results: Three distinct types of levee forests -open, intermediate, and closed- were identified based on the structure of their vegetation, hosting a total of 85 bird species. Variation in avian community structure among forest types revealed greater diversity in open forests during winter (3.26 ± 0.13, P < 0.01) and spring (3.58 ± 0.05, P < 0.01), and greater richness in autumn (35.33 ± 3.01, P < 0.01). The closed forests exhibited increased diversity during autumn (3.16 ± 0.13, P < 0.05) and summer (3.24 ± 0.06, P < 0.05), along with elevated abundance in autumn (114 ± 13.70, P < 0.05) and richness in spring (39.17 ± 4.71, P = 0.01). Due to the evolutionary history between sites, significant variation was observed in the most recently created national park, influencing abundance in winter (141 ± 22.06, P < 0.01) and spring (176 ± 12.83, P < 0.01), as well as diversity in winter (3.25 ± 0.10, P < 0.01) and spring (3.50 ± 0.10, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The microhabitat in the different levee forests allows the birds to organize differently. Focusing on microspatial dynamics is key to a deep understanding of the biological processes within subtropical islands and to plan conservation strategies and demonstrate the transition of a recovering riparian forest towards its natural state, where the pulse of the river and the effect of seasonality do not stop operating.

The birds of Cameroon: bird survey in a forest plain of the Congo basin forest (Oveng, Cameroon) confirms the great diversity of birds linked to the vegetation of the second largest biodiversity reserve in the world as well as the distribution pattern of taxa

We carried out a bird survey in the Oveng plain in the Congo Basin Forest to investigate the avifauna as well as to explore the abundance, diversity and distribution of taxa. To obtain abundance of bird species and analyze their diversity and distribution, we used the mist net method for bird sampling for five months and performed analyzes with SAS/STAT and PAST software, respectively; moreover, to compare the diversity and dominance of the Oveng plain to other plains already explored, we proceeded to a simple comparison for a small sample, placing the values in a double-entry table and analyzing them. We captured 146 individuals belonging to 22 bird families and compared to previous surveys in this region, we recorded three new species, Campethera maculosa, Buccanodon duchaillui and Alethe diademeta; the birds caught were mainly sedentary and the rest were a mixture of intra-African, seasonal and Palearctic migrants, etc. Values ​​of the diversity indices show a great avifaunistic diversity within the Oveng site; thus, the Shannon-Wiener index (H’= 3.09) expresses the high number of the species within the Oveng avifauna while the Equitability index (J’=0.83) reveals an absence of dominance of one species and therefore an equal distribution of individuals within species. The Simpson index (λ=0.92) supports abundant species representation in Oveng’s birdlife due to the presence of year-round vegetation. The distribution pattern of taxa appeared directly linked to vegetation. Comparison of the diversity and dominance of plains avifauna supports a close relationship between the presence of vegetation and a high diversity of birds and that between an absence of vegetation and a more pronounced dominance.

Avian Diversity in Agricultural Landscapes of SP3 Pangea Area in Gorontalo Province

An agroecosystem cannot function without birds, which perform a variety of functions, including pollination, seed dispensing, nutrient deposition, scavenging, and predatory roles for rodents and insect agricultural landscapes support a wide range of habitats and a diverse population of avifauna. A new transmigration area called SP3 Pangea has been established in the province of Gorontalo. Therefore, the SP3 Pangea’s agricultural landscapes do not support a great diversity of birds. The current study documented the abundance of avifauna in agricultural landscapes in SP3 Pangea from this perspective. In order to describe the variety and temporal fluctuation of the avifauna in the agricultural landscapes of Dusun SP3 Pangea, field surveys were carried out from December 2021 to February 2022. There were 13 different bird species in total. The IUCN Red List has one species that is classified as vulnerable. In the research area, it was regularly noted that some species had worldwide population patterns that were dropping. This underlines the fact that research locations are essential habitats for bird species with high conservation needs. Future studies on the management and conservation of existing bird species in agricultural settings are expected to use the findings of the current study as a starting point.

Birds diversity at Sabak Bernam granary of West Peninsular Malaysia

Paddy field ecosystem serves as critical feeding and nesting habitat for various birds, thus compensating the habitat loss and degradation of the natural ecosystem. We want to document the bird species abundance and composition at Sabak Bernam granary area, located in West Peninsular Malaysia. The species distribution pattern was known to associate with rice growing stages. Birds was observed with a week of survey in each rice growing phases using point-count method. Overall, 40 species and 23 families have been recorded from all growing phases. Ploughing phase showed the highest bird abundance (736 individuals), while, maturation phase showed the highest species richness (31 species) and reproductive phase recorded the highest species diversity (H = 2.474). Waterbirds were the most dominant family which consists of Ardeidae, Alcedinidae and Rallidae. Three migrant and one vagrant were recorded in this study. Insectivory was the most abundant guild, dominated by Pacific swallow (Hirundo tahitica). However, there were no significant differences between all feeding guilds at different phases (df = 3, p > 0.05). This study indicates that although several species were pest upon rice buds, many of them play a crucial role in paddy field ecosystem services, particularly for pest control, reduce weeds and scavenging on carcasses. Therefore, this man-made wetland habitat area able to harbour a great diversity of birds and indirectly give benefits to the farmers.

Riqueza y conservación de las aves del suroeste de Oaxaca

La vertiente del Pacífico mexicano en el suroeste de Oaxaca alberga una gran diversidad de aves que ha sido poco estudiada. Presentamos un inventario y análisis de la avifauna de esa región, mediante transectos, redes de niebla y observaciones no sistemáticas, en 12 localidades repartidas en cuatro tipos de vegetación (selva mediana subcaducifolia, vegetación ribereña, áreas sujetas a manejo agropecuario y selva baja caducifolia). Contabilizamos 120 especies, correspondientes a 39 familias y 19 órdenes. Del total de especies, 72% fueron residentes todo el año y 24%, de invierno. Por el tipo de alimentación, las terrestres insectívoras (52%) fueron las más abundantes, seguidas de las carnívoras (20%) y terrestres herbívoras (15%). El mayor número de especies (68%) estuvo asociado a vegetación ribereña. Esta región de Oaxaca alberga 16% de la riqueza de aves de México, entre ellas a nueve especies endémicas o cuasiendémicas de México y 12 en categorías de riesgo a nivel nacional o internacional, como el pato real (Cairina moschata), loro corona lila (Amazona finschi), loro cabeza amarilla (Amazona oratrix) y vireo de Bell (Vireo bellii). Recomendamos la protección de la vegetación ribereña y de las selvas como la mejor estrategia para la conservación de la avifauna.

Contributions to the knowledge of lice diversity (Phthiraptera: Amblycera and Ischnocera) in birds from Peru

Peru has a great diversity of birds, having more than 1870 species in its territory. However, studies on chewing lice (Phthiraptera) in birds from Peru are still limited. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the diversity of lice in birds of Peru. The material used comes from the Zoological Collection of the Natural History Museum of the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Peru. Ten species of lice distributed in three families were identified: three species of the Menoponidae family, five species of Philopteridae and two species of Ricinidae collected from seven species of birds. This work records for the first time Hohorstiella lata Piaget, 1880, Quadraceps eugrammicus (Burmeister, 1838), Trochiloecetes illumani Carriker, 1960 and Ricinus frenatus Burmeister, 1838 in Peru; likewise, four new hosts of the order Passeriformes are registered for Mayriphilopterus ernsti Mey, 2004, Threnetes leucurus (Linnaeus, 1766) as a new host for T. illumani and two new hosts for R. frenatus; Larus belcheri Vigors, 1829 is also reported as a new host for Quadraceps eugrammicus (Burmeister, 1838) and Austromenopon transversum Denny, 1842.

Riqueza, composición y abundancia de aves del Campus Universitario de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay

Entre septiembre de 2014 y marzo de 2015 se realizó un estudio de avistamiento de aves en el Campus Universitario de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay. El objetivo fue analizar su diversidad en las estaciones de primavera y verano, a través de parámetros como riqueza, abundancia y composición de aves en el campus. La riqueza fue de 77 especies, que corresponden a 27 familias distribuidas en 13 órdenes. En cuanto a la abundancia resultaron abundantes 24 especies, diez especies comunes, siete especies poco comunes, 18 especies escasas y 15 especies raras. Dada esta gran diversidad de aves dentro del campus, éste puede ser considerado un refugio ecológico para las aves y un interesante punto de observación dentro del área urbana.

Investigation of Influenza A, West Nile and Newcastle Disease Viruses in Birds from the Pantanal Wetlands of Mato Grosso, Brazil

The Pantanal is the world's largest wetland biome with a seasonal flood pulse that attracts a great diversity of birds, many of which are migratory. Birds can be natural reservoirs Influenza A, West Nile and Newcastle Disease viruses. However, the occurrence of carriers for these viruses in the Pantanal was not verified yet. The present study evaluated the occurrence of natural infection by Influenza A, WN and ND virus of birds in the municipality of Pocone, a subregion of the Pantanal in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. A total of 76 birds belonging to 11 orders and 20 families were captured using mist nets. The most representative order was Passeriformes, followed by the other nine orders, which included Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Charadriiformes and Anseriformes. The most representative family was Thamnophilidae, with 16 individuals (21.0%), followed by the family Tyrannidae with 10 individuals (7.6%) and the family Furnariidae, with eight individuals (10.5%). The bird species were identified, and cloacal and tracheal swab samples were collected. The samples were subjected to RNA extraction and tested for the presence of the three agents by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). All the sampled birds were considered healthy, had no clinical sign of infection, and were tested negative for the three viruses. Based on our findings, we can conclude that Influenza, West Nile and Newcastle Disease viruses were absent from the samples in this region of the Pantanal wetlands during the period of this study.

Haemoproteus erythrogravidus n. sp. (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae): Description and molecular characterization of a widespread blood parasite of birds in South America

The great diversity of birds and ecosystems in the Andean mountains has been understudied in terms of their parasite species. We describe a new Haemoproteus parasite, H. (Parahaemoproteus) erythrogravidus infecting Zonotrichia capensis (Rufous-Collared Sparrow) in South America. The description of this blood parasite species is supported by morphological and molecular data based on a fragment of cytochrome b gene (cyt b) and complete mitochondrial genome sequences. The new species is closely related to H. (Parahaemoproteus) coatneyi, and it can be readily distinguished from the latter parasite due to morphology of its blood stages, particularly 1) the formation of a marked protrusion on envelope of infected erythrocytes by the majority of developing gametocytes, a feature which is unique for this Haemoproteus species and 2) the extremely attenuated width of the growing dumbbell-shaped macro- and microgametocytes. Additionally, Haemoproteus erythrogravidus is shown to be a monophyletic taxon that diverges from Haemoproteus coatneyi at the molecular level. We provide the complete mitochondrial DNA genome for both H. coatneyi and H. erythrogravidus. Molecular and morphological evidences indicate that H. erythrogravidus is present in Ecuador and Colombia, and genetic lineages with 100% of identity for the cyt b gene were reported in Chile, Perú, and Venezuela. Our study also indicates that H. erythrogravidus and H. coatneyi are sympatric sister taxa sharing Z. capensis as a host species across its distribution, which could be the result of sympatric speciation or complex biogeographic processes. Further studies on the distribution and evolutionary history of Z. capensis and its parasites H. erythrogravidus and H. coatneyi insight for our better understanding of the factors and dynamics driving parasite speciation.

New urban developments that retain more remnant trees have greater bird diversity

The rapid expansion of urban landscapes has significant consequences for wildlife. Habitat loss and fragmentation cause significant loss of species richness. While remnant fragments of habitat are important areas for conservation, the urban matrix between fragments is also critical. Increasing the suitability of the matrix for wildlife can increase the diversity of wildlife that utilise urban landscapes and increases the potential for dispersal among fragments. We investigated the effectiveness of retaining remnant trees during for increasing the species richness and abundance of birds in new urban housing developments. We measured species richness and abundance in four habitat types: non-vegetated streets, vegetated streets, recreational parks and bush sites. We discovered that the number of bird species observed was lowest on the non-vegetated streets and highest within the bush fragments. Species richness on vegetated streets was intermediate between non-vegetated streets and parks. The abundance of birds was highest within recreational parks and we observed significantly more birds on vegetated streets than non-vegetated streets. Additionally, we found the number of species and total abundance of birds was positively associated with the total number of retained mature trees within a vegetated street. The dominant feeding guild and species composition varied between the different habitat types. Our findings suggest that increasing the number of retained mature trees in new housing developments may be an effective means of increasing the number of bird species that utilise the urban matrix.

Homeowner Associations as a Vehicle for Promoting Native Urban Biodiversity

The loss of habitat due to suburban and urban development represents one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Conservation developments have emerged as a key player for reconciling new ex-urban residential development with ecosystem services. However, as more than half of the world population lives in urban and suburban developments, identifying conservation partners to facilitate retrofitting existing residential neighborhoods becomes paramount. Homeowner associations (HOA) manage a significant proportion of residential developments in the United States, which includes the landscape design for yards and gardens. These areas have the potential to mitigate the loss of urban biodiversity when they provide habitat for native wildlife. Therefore, the conditions and restrictions imposed upon the homeowner by the HOA could have profound effects on the local wildlife habitat. We explored the potential of HOAs to promote conservation by synthesizing research from three monitoring programs from Phoenix, Arizona. We compared native bird diversity, arthropod diversity, and plant diversity between neighborhoods with and without a HOA. Neighborhoods belonging to HOAs had significantly greater bird and plant diversity, although insect diversity did not differ. The institutional framework structuring HOAs, including sanctions for enforcement coupled with a predictable maintenance regime that introduces regular disturbance, might explain why neighborhoods with a HOA had greater bird diversity. For neighborhoods with a HOA, we analyzed landscape form and management practices. We linked these features with ecological function and suggested how to modify management practices by adopting strategies from the Sustainable Sites Initiative, an international sustainable landscaping program, to help support biodiversity in current and future residential landscapes.

Composition of the aquatic birdlife of Saco da Fazenda, Itajaí-SC

Saco da Fazenda estuary, despite the impact caused by the flow of effluent domestic and industrial sewage coming fromItajai-Acu River, is the shelter of a great diversity of birds. The knowledge of the composition of bird life becomes crucial in the characterizationof this environment, since in threatened ecosystems, as estuaries are, we may identify alterations in biodiversity and abundancedue to the influence of areas adjacent to the ecosystem. From July 2006 to April 2007 we did biweekly censuses in the assembly of birdsin Saco da Fazenda. 29 species of aquatic birds, distributed in 25 genres and 13 families, being 11 of constant occurrence (37.9%), sixaccessory (20.6%) and 12 species of casual presence (41.3%). Grouping analysis generated through data evaluating monthly averageabundance showed a “300” distance level, resulting in the formation of four distinct groups. Group I: P. brasilianus and H. himantopus,which presented the highest relative abundance. Group II: C. albus, E. thula and E. caerulea, and also G. chloropus, characterized bythe abrupt reduction of units at spring end and summer beginning. A. Brasiliensis, V. chilensis and L. dominicanus integrate group III,organized due to abundances relatively next to the last two species. Group IV was composed by H. palliatus and R. niger, species witha low contribution for abundance.

Seasonal and daily fluctuations of aquatic birds in Saco da Fazenda, Itajaí-SC

Saco da Fazenda ecosystem, in spite of the impact caused by the flow of effluent domestic and industrial sewage comingfrom Itajai-Acu River, shelters a great diversity of birds. The knowledge of the composition of avifauna becomes crucial in the characterizationof this environment, since in threatened ecosystems, as estuaries, we may verify alterations in biodiversity and abundancedue to the influence of adjacent areas on the ecosystem. From July 2006 and April 2007 we did biweekly censuses in the assembly ofaquatic birds, with two hour intervals from 8:00 P.M. and 2:00 AM. We registered 29 aquatic birds species, distributed in 25 genresand 13 families, being 11 of constant occurrence (37.9%), six accessory (20.6%) and 12 species of casual presence (41.3%). We foundexpressive differences in the abundance of aquatic birds among biweekly and daily intervals. Daily average fluctuation presented a smallincrement from the first interval of counting, and reached the highest values from 14:00 to 16:00 PM (256.2 ± 24.9), with a consecutivelesser value around 18:00 PM (56,3 ± 14,6), last schedule of census.

Colonisation of native tree and shrub plantings by woodland birds in an agricultural landscape

Tree planting has become a cornerstone strategy for natural resource management in agricultural landscapes, yet its contribution as habitat for woodland birds has not been fully investigated. A case study from the Holbrook region in southern New South Wales was used to assess woodland birds in young plantings of native trees and shrubs. Ground-foraging insectivorous woodland birds were under-represented in the plantings, partly due to a lack of native forb diversity (wildflowers) and leaf litter. Of 69 woodland bird species recorded over a three-year period, 48 species (70%) occurred in planted sites, 59 species (86%) occurred in remnant woodland, and 34 species (49%) occurred in adjacent paddock sites. The greater diversity of birds in planted sites relative to paddock sites was mostly due to understorey birds. The proportion of mist-netted birds recaptured was similar in both planted (15%) and remnant woodland (16%) sites, suggesting that individual birds were staying in planted sites. The proportion of woodland birds showing breeding activity (as measured by the presence of a brood patch) was slightly lower in planted sites (24% of all woodland species) than in remnant woodland (29%). Birds such as the superb fairy-wren, red-browed finch and southern whiteface were more likely to occur in planted sites, suggesting that plantings provide unique, transitional-stage habitat within agricultural landscapes. Restoring native forbs, as part of a broader strategy of woodland management, will help to reverse the decline of ground-foraging insectivorous woodland birds in agricultural landscapes.

ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF SHRUB-STEPPE BIRDS IN RELATION TO ENCROACHMENT OF PONDEROSA PINE

Fire suppression has resulted in a greater density of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in grassland and shrub-steppe habitats potentially reducing habitat quality for declining grassland and shrub-steppe birds. Birds were surveyed at 10 shrub-steppe sites in the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia to examine whether encroachment of pine affected grassland and shrub-steppe birds. Encounter rates did not differ between years and were combined for a total of 4,281 sightings and 80 species. Sites with more ponderosa pine had a greater diversity of birds. Grassland and shrub-steppe birds as a group declined with increasing numbers of trees. Forest and open woodland birds increased in number as did generalist birds. These results support conservation efforts to reduce conifer densities in shrub-steppe habitats to benefit associated declining bird populations.

Effects of recreation areas on avian communities in coastal New South Wales’ parks

Summary Information on the impacts of outdoor recreation on wildlife within national parks and reserves can be useful to natural area managers. This study aimed to (i) investigate the density, diversity and species composition of avian communities in recreation areas in bushland settings in comparison to surrounding natural habitats, and (ii) determine the influence of the presence of people on avian assemblages in such recreation areas. Avian density, species richness and community composition were compared between six high‐visitation bushland camping and picnic areas (recreation areas) and surrounding undisturbed habitats to examine the effect of recreation areas on avian assemblages. While total numbers of birds detected was found to be higher in recreation areas, species richness trends indicated that a greater diversity of birds was associated with the surrounding natural habitats, which were found to support a taxonomically different avian assemblage to the recreation areas. Interestingly, species previously shown to distinguish urban avian communities were commonly present and often more abundant in the recreation areas than the surrounding natural habitats. We investigated the effect of the intermittent presence of people (rather than clearing alone) and addressed changes in the diurnal distribution of species, by comparing avian assemblages at 22 picnic areas in the morning, at midday and in the afternoon between days of high and low human visitation. Observations of the availability of anthropogenic food resources and subsequent utilization by avifauna were recorded. Generally, avian assemblages appeared to be independent of the presence of people, although the provision of anthropogenic foods is thought to have the potential to adversely affect individual birds. The findings of this study suggest that even small‐scale habitat clearance to create picnic areas adversely affects the avian assemblage present, with temporal changes in visitation levels of humans in these areas appearing to have had no additional influence unless through indirect impacts from anthropogenic foods.

Crocodilian Biology and Evolution

Crocodilian Biology and Evolution. G. C. Grigg, F. Seebacher, and C. E. Franklin (eds.). Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton NSW, Australia, 446 p. Fossils of crocodilians and their extinct relatives are relatively common in the freshwater and sometimes marine fossil record since the Middle Triassic, but their study has not kept pace with that of their sexier relatives the dinosaurs. As the least specialized of the two living archosaur groups, crocodilians are critical to understanding the great archosaurian radiation that dominated terrestrial life during the Mesozoic and continues today as the great diversity of birds. However, the days are fortunately gone when crocodilians were considered as essentially living fossils little changed from the dawn of the Mesozoic. We now know that many of their features are adaptations to a semiaquatic lifestyle that …

IN MEMORIAM: LAWRENCE KILHAM, 1910–2000

Lawrence Kilham died at his home in Lyme, New Hampshire, on 21 September 2000. Born 10 August 1910 in Brookline, Massachusetts, Lawrence grew up in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in history and literature in 1932, earned a master's degree in biology from Harvard in 1935, and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1940. While serving as an intern in Cleveland, Ohio, he met his wife, Jane, a fellow intern. Both went to England early in World War II, and Lawrence served in field hospitals under General George Patton. After leaving the Army in 1945, Lawrence returned to graduate school doing virology research and teaching epidemiology. From 1949 to 1960, he worked as a research virologist. He joined the faculty at Dartmouth Medical School in 1961, where he remained until he retired in 1978. Lawrence Kilham was widely recognized for his research with viruses and infectious diseases, publishing nearly 150 articles and discovering a new group of viruses with single-stranded DNA. At first his interest in birds was recreational, stemming from a lifelong quest for solitude and nature that led him to identify with Henry David Thoreau and to seek wild places. After his marriage, his wife Jane shared his quests and often illustrated his articles and books; to better learn from nature, they went their own ways in the field, coming back together every few hours to share their observations. By the early 1950s, Lawrence was serious about birds, joining both the AOU and the Wilson Ornithological Society in 1952. It was while doing viral research in Uganda in 1954-1955, that he developed a research interest in bird behavior. From that point on, his work with the behavior of birds and mammals, an avocation, became a passion that led to more than 90 publications in the ornithological and behavioral literature. I suspect that for him, the joy of birds relieved the pressures of teaching and laboratory work. For his ornithological contributions, he was made an Elective Member of the AOU in 1962, and a Fellow in 1974. Truly Lawrence Kilham successfully lived two outstanding careers in science! In addition to his journal articles, he published four books relating to his studies of nature: Never Enough of Nature (1977, Droll Yankees Inc., Foster, Rhode Island); On Watching Birds (1979, Chelsea Green Publishing Company, Chelsea, Vermont), reissued as A Naturalist's Field Guide (1981, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania); Life History Studies of Woodpeckers of Eastern North America (1983, Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, no. 20); and The American Crow and the Common Raven (1989, Texas A & M University Press, College Station, Texas). For On Watching Birds he was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for outstanding nature writing in 1988. Although he studied a great diversity of birds, Lawrence Kilham is best known for his work with woodpeckers. Indeed, it is difficult to find a major study on the behavioral ecology of woodpeckers that was not influenced by Kilham's work. Much ornithological research today is problem oriented; some remain species oriented; his work was often individual oriented! His research was not couched in systematic