Tracking early-life PFAS exposure in the Ebro Delta flamingo colony: temporal trends and sources.

The Alania wetland near Kota, Rajasthan, is a seasonal and ecologically important home for many bird species. Regular surveys using line and point transects methods recorded 89 species, including resident birds as well as summer and winter migrants from October, 2023 to September, 2024. Special sightings like Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Sarus Cranes (Antigone antigone) show how vital this wetland is for globally important birds. By comparing field data with the IUCN Red List, the study looked at conservation status. The area around the wetland is a mix of forests, grasslands, farms, streams, shrubs, and scattered trees, which creates diverse habitats for birds. However, farming in parts of the floodplain each year threatens nesting sites and habitat quality. Local observations with global conservation suggest that Alania could be recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in future. This research provides a strong baseline for long-term monitoring, helping us understand migration, habitat use, and seasonal changes in bird communities. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing protection and monitoring to safeguard both migratory and resident bird populations in the region.

Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, one of the most significant coastal wetland ecosystems in South India, supports a rich diversity of resident and migratory avifauna. The present study provides a statistical review of the population dynamics of selected bird species at Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, with an emphasis on seasonal variation, species composition and abundance patterns. Systematic field surveys were conducted across representative habitats of the sanctuary during different seasons and bird populations were recorded using standard census techniques. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools to assess population trends, relative dominance and frequency of occurrence of selected species. The results indicate clear seasonal fluctuations in bird populations, with a marked increase in migratory species during the winter months November to February, particularly among Greater Flamingo, Grey Pelicans, Grey Herons and Night Herons. Resident species exhibited relatively stable population levels throughout the year, reflecting habitat adaptability and resource availability. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in species abundance across seasons, highlighting the influence of environmental factors such as water levels, food availability and climatic conditions. The study underscores the importance of long-term statistical monitoring to understand avian population dynamics and to evaluate the ecological health of wetland ecosystems. The findings from the years 2019-20 to 2023-24 provide baseline data that can support conservation planning, habitat management and sustainable biodiversity preservation efforts at Pulicat Bird Sanctuary.

Each year, billions of animals migrate across the globe on diverse spatial and temporal scales. Migration behavior thus plays a fundamental role in the life cycle and Darwinian fitness of many organisms. While the influence of migration on early-life survival and reproduction is well documented, its effects on senescence (aging) in advanced age remain largely unexplored. Using a unique 44-y ring-resighting dataset from a long-lived, partially migratory bird species, the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), we demonstrate that migration plays a key role in shaping age-specific trajectories of mortality and reproduction. Resident flamingos exhibit higher early-life demographic performances, with lower baseline mortality than migrants, resulting in longer adult lifespan. Residents also have a higher probability of breeding than migrants, though their breeding success is similar. However, residents seem to pay for their early-life advantages in old age, experiencing accelerated actuarial and reproductive senescence compared to migrants. Overall, our study highlights the critical impact of migration on survival and reproduction throughout life, thereby illustrating the role played by behavioral decisions in the biology of aging in long-lived vertebrates.

Flight is part of the natural behaviours of most bird species, and as a consequence, flight restraint in zoos, even for those species that are primarily ground-dwelling, encounters increasing animal welfare concerns. While previous studies on greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and white pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) have found no significant effects of flight restraint on welfare, scientific data on other species remains limited. This study investigated the welfare implications of flight restraint in white storks (Ciconia ciconia) by assessing feather corticosterone concentrations (CORTf) alongside behavioural observations. We compared CORTf values of deflighted zoo birds (n = 53) and hand-reared abandoned nestlings (n = 11) from eleven different zoos in Germany and storks in rehabilitation. These birds were wild individuals, found injured, and therefore provided an opportunity to collect feather samples (n = 70). In line with the 3R principle proposed by Russell and Burch, we employed a recently validated, less invasive feather sampling method that involves cutting feathers close to the skin. We hypothesised that CORTf would differ significantly between the wild, airworthy storks and the deflighted individuals under human care. However, we found no significant difference in CORTf regarding the ability to fly, nor did the method of flight restraint show a significant influence on CORTf. Housing facilities with significant site-specific variations emerged as the predominant factor influencing feather corticosterone concentrations. These results suggest that flight restraint does not have a noticeable direct impact on the corticosterone levels of white storks, and the behavioural observations support the reliability of these findings. This study enhances our understanding of the effects of deflighting procedures on the welfare of white storks in zoos.

The tongues of birds, which are generally adapted to their feeding habits, have a wide variety of anatomical structures. The tongue structures of flamingos are equipped with the ability to make 3 different types of feedings. The aim of this study was to examine the lingual structures of flamingos. Cuticula cornificata linguae (nail tongue) structure was not observed in flamingos, which were found to have significant size and numerous papillae lingua rostralis. Micro papilla structure was observed on papilla lingua rostralis in SEM images. In the Greater flamingo, the orifices of salivary glands were found to be located lateral to the corpus of the tongue. The rugae linguae structure was recorded for the first time in Greater Flamingos.

Monitoring biodiversity over time and space is essential for effective conservation of habitats, processes, and dependent organisms. Estimating large abundances of individuals can be challenging (e.g. birds and mammals), demanding efficient and effective methods. The Makgadikgadi Pans in north-eastern Botswana have high concentrations of breeding and feeding flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus and Phoeniconaias minor), among the world’s most important breeding sites. No published estimates of flamingos exist since 2009, with historical estimates providing limited details on methods. We developed a semi-supervised machine learning method for counting a large feeding concentration of flamingos (2 June 2019) in aerial photographs from northern Sua Pan of the Makgadikgadi Pans. We also analysed rainfall and flooding frequency and extent, using satellite imagery, estimating likely frequency of these flamingo concentrations. Lastly, we reviewed the site’s global importance as flamingo breeding habitat. Our analysis successfully provided an estimate of 372,172 to 689,473 flamingos, with methods producing over 97 % test accuracy. Uncertainty related primarily to data coverage and collection rather than methodology. This estimate underlined the Makgadikgadi Pans’ significance for flamingos, supported by a high frequency of flooding (>5:10 years). Sua Pan ranked in the top ten breeding sites for the lesser and greater flamingos in the world. These methods can be applied to other large concentrations of flamingos and other animals. Our techniques provide considerable promise for tracking flamingo populations to ensure their protection. We provide code, for use in Google Earth Engine.

Wetlands serve as dynamic theatres of avian diversity. Resident and migratory birds are ecologically dependent on wetlands. Malkhed Lake is a large freshwater body located within the Pohara-Malkhed forest landscape, 20 km toward south of Amravati City. A scientific study has not been carried out on avian diversity at Malkhed Lake; therefore, the present work was carried out to document the diversity, abundance, and species richness of birds associated with the wetlands. The study was conducted from January 2020 to July 2021, and four visits were made to the study area monthly. A point count was used for the wetland birds. Recorded 117 bird species belonging to 23 families across the study site over a period of one and a half years. Based on observations, 51 species were widespread residents, 50 species were widespread winter visitors, passage visitors were 8, breeding migrants were 3, and only four were resident migrants. The families Anatidae and Scolopacidae recorded the highest number of bird species. Greater Flamingo, Red-necked Phalarope, and Pacific Golden Plover are passage migrants, and Grey-headed Lapwing is generally considered wagrant and rarely seen but was also sighted in the study area. The species diversity index was recorded and the result was like The Simpson Diversity Index is 0.9770, showing a high degree of diversity (0.81-0.99), and the and the Shannon Diversity Index is 4.08, showing very high diversity (>3.5 and above). The present study revealed that Malkhed Lake exhibited rich avian diversity. This preliminary avian diversity data for the Malkhed Lake will be useful to study long-term seasonal changes in avifauna and to examine the relationship between birds and wetland habitats.

In austral summer 2016/17, a provisional bird atlas project was conducted in the town of Walvis Bay (~260 ha), Namibia. In total, 18 breeding bird species were recorded. Four eudominant species (Cape Sparrow, Rock Dove, Laughing Dove, and Common Waxbill) comprised together 65.2% of all breeding birds. Three dominant species – House Sparrow, Southern Masked Weaver, and Speckled Pigeon – comprised additional 23.0%. The community dominance index (DI) was = 0.40, Shannon’s Diversity Index H’ = 2.21, Simpson’s Diversity Index D = 0.87, and Pielou’s Evenness Index J’ = 0.76. By far the most numerous feeding guild were granivores (88.0% of all birds recorded) followed by insectivores (6.0%) and frugivores (5.3%). Tree and/or shrub nesting birds comprised 59.5%, while birds nesting in/on buildings the remaining 40.5%. There were neither ground-nesting nor holenesting birds. Structure-wise, the avian community in the town resembles avian communities in other parts of the world (strong dominance of granivores, such as sparrows and doves). In austral summer 2018/19, a total of 25 marine species were recorded in the lagoon, of which nine (36%) were Palearctic migrant and 16 (64%) African residents. In terms of the number of individuals, Palearctic migrants constituted 17% and African residents 83%. More than half of all marine birds were Greater Flamingos, while the most numerous Palearctic species was the Curlew Sandpiper.

Flamingo is a long-legged colonial bird with white plumage sprinkled with pink plumage. It is a state bird of Gujarat where it is found in colonies of millions along wide tracts of etlands of Rann of Kutchch. It is resident species found throughout wetlands of India. The present study was carried out with the following objectives: To assess the social organization in Greater Flamingo and to analyze various behavioral patterns in Greater flamingo in selected sites of Haryana during the period of September 2019 to October 2021. The Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system i.e., drone was used to study the flock composition of Greater Flamingos. To study the behavior of Greater Flamingo Canon SX60 camera was used to record photographs and videography. In the study it was observed that during first year of the study period (from October, 2019 to September, 2020), 287 individuals comprising 68.9% Adult sightings and 31.01% Sub-adult sightings were recorded. Whereas during second year of the study period (from October, 2020 to September, 2021), 4655 Greater flamingo were comprising of 80% Adult sightings and 20% Sub-adult sightings. Increase in flock composition was observed due to stable habitat conditions and perennial wetlands prevailing in Najafgarh Lake and Basai wetland. Resting, wing-leg stretching, drinking water, bathing, sleeping, alert posture, wing-salute, twist preen, inverted wing-salute, broken neck posture, ritual bickering, threatening and hooking were some of the behaviours observed during the present study. The feeding activity was minimal during early morning hours (30.3%) and gradually peaks as the day progresses and get maximum during evening hours. Whereas, resting activity reached at peak during morning hours. These observations contribute great in the conservation strategies of this nearly threatened species as this provides baseline data in restoring the habitat of the species.

Detection of renal disease in birds is currently reliant on biochemical measures such as uric acid, which is only elevated after significant renal compromise has occurred. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) production has not been previously evaluated in birds and no reference intervals (RI) for measurement exist in avian species. This study aimed to develop an RI for SDMA in greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and evaluate the association between SDMA levels and renal disease. Blood from 60 flamingos was collected for RI development and the RI of SDMA was found to be 11.8-34.2 µg/dl. Symmetric dimethylarginine showed a strong positive correlation with uric acid, a moderate positive correlation with creatine kinase, and moderate negative correlations with total protein, albumin, and glucose. No correlation was found with pododermatitis score or body condition. Using the SDMA RI, six clinical cases were included for assessment of the clinical relevance of SDMA in renally compromised patients. All birds that were euthanized had elevated SDMA levels and severe renal or systemic pathology on necropsy.

We quantified the population abundance of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in Najafgarh Drain (Jheel), Basai Wetland, and Sultanpur flats of district Gurugram, Haryana from October 2018 to December 2020. A total of 72 visits were made to the study sites. In this study, we explored the uses of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a 5-megapixel camera to census the population and distribution of Greater Flamingos. The Nikon 10 x 50 field binoculars were used for observations. A photographic record was taken using a Canon Powershot sx70hs camera. To estimate the population size, point count method was used and videos and image analysis were carried out for a more accurate count in densely packed flocks. The mean population of Greater Flamingos was 267 ± 47 observed throughout the study period from the three sites. For three years, the highest mean population of Greater Flamingos recorded was 745 ± 76 at Najafgarh Drain and the lowest was 19 ± 8 at Sultanpur Flats. The Greater Flamingos were found to be residents at Najafgarh Drain. At the Basai Wetland, two major human activities were the construction of highways along wetlands and wetland drainage have been observed that resulted in habitat fragmentation and shrinkage, which is responsible for the huge decline in their population. While at Najafgarh Jheel fishing activities and overgrowth of water hyacinth were a major threat that affect the Greater Flamingo population. The findings in this study will be beneficial for the conservation efforts of the flamingos in this area.

Reference intervals for clinical chemistry analytes are important for the interpretation of blood results, but reference intervals available in journal articles for specific flamingo collections are often based on a small number of individuals or are only available for a limited number of analytes. Differences in husbandry and nutritional conditions may impact reference intervals. The goal of this study was to establish reference intervals from a mixed population of greater (Phoenicopterus roseus) and American (Phoenicopterus ruber) flamingos when husbandry parameters are equal and to compare the results between the different species, sexes, and age groups in order to evaluate differences between these factors. Lithium-heparinized plasma samples from 93 animals were analyzed for the following: amylase, cholinesterase (CHE), bile acids (BA), total protein (TP), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), uric acid (UA), inorganic phosphorus (P), total calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and potassium (K). The results show many differences between the species and a few between the different age groups but no differences between males and females of either species. Amylase (P= 0.0010), AST (P= 0.0090), CK (P= 0.0011), and Ca (P= 0.0217) differed significantly between greater and American flamingos. The age group significantly impacted blood levels of CK (P = 0.0299) and LDH (P = 0.0165) in greater flamingos and BA (P = 0.0495), P (P = 0.0422), and Ca (P = 0.0006) in American flamingos. The results show the importance of species-specific reference intervals and the consideration of age-related variations in order to facilitate correct interpretation of blood results.

Visitors can influence the behaviour of zoo animals through their auditory and visual presence, with mixed findings of negative, neutral, and positive effects on welfare. This study opportunistically utilised the UK-wide COVID-19 period of zoo closure to investigate the activity and enclosure usage of Greater (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Chilean (P. chilensis) Flamingos housed at two zoos. Flamingo behaviour at both sites was observed during the last week of a three-month closure period and the immediate reopening of the zoos. Photographic data were collected at three timepoints during each observation day. Negative binomial GLMMs compared the behaviour observed during zoo closure to the behaviour observed during zoo reopening, whilst accounting for climatic variables and time of day. Spearman’s correlation identified relationships between behaviour with the number of visitors and weather. Greater Flamingos were not influenced by the reintroduction of visitors to the zoo setting. Chilean Flamingos showed an increase in inactivity and decrease in movement and feeding when the zoo reopened. These possible behavioural responses are better explained by the influence of temperature on the behaviour of Chilean Flamingos and by the correlation between temperature and visitor number, rather than a direct consequence of visitor presence. This research details the multifactorial nature of any potential anthropogenic effects on zoo animal behaviour and highlights the importance of considering environmental variables alongside the measurement of visitor presence or absence.

This report presents the results of survey of a 46-kilometer section of the overhead line (OHL) powering the cathodic protection of the Bukhara – Ural Gas Pipeline within the Aktobe Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 7 kilometers of this section were previously equipped with bird protection devices (BPDs), which are now totally lost due to destruction of their fastening elements. Inspection of the 46-km section of this OHL has revealed deaths of 2 eagles (Aquilasp.), 1 Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), 1 Black Kite (Milvus migrans), and 3 Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). The conclusion was made that the BPDs of this OHL needed renewal. It was also concluded that instead of OHLs laid along the pipeline route it was advisable to consider other options, including stations of cathodic protection fed from modular-packaged electrical power plants with self-contained micro-turbine units, such as used at the Beineu – Bozoy – Shymkent Gas Pipeline.

Simple SummaryThe common standard sampling method to determine corticosterone in feathers (CORTf) is to pluck them from the bird’s skin. This procedure is considered to be painful, and the animals have to be caught and fixated firmly. Therefore, an animal experiment approval is required according to European and German legislation. In this study, we compared two methods: plucking vs. cutting feathers. The aim was to confirm the validation of an alternative less-invasive sampling technique. The specimens of this project were wild adult Mallards (Germany) and wild 1st-calender-year juvenile Greater Flamingos (Spain). In summary, there were no significant differences between the methods in terms of corticosterone results for both species. Additionally, no differences were found in CORTf between females and males of both species. In conclusion, these findings underline the suitability of cutting feathers as a sampling method for the determination of CORTf levels.This research project had the aim to validate the possible alternative and less-painful sampling method of cutting feathers close to the skin instead of plucking them for subsequent feather corticosterone analysis, confirming recently-published results for other species in captivity. Analyzing CORTf is often used in animal welfare studies in combination with behavioral monitoring. The background of this idea was to act in the sense of animal welfare and reduce the burden of animal studies according to the 3-R-Principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) by refining procedures. To confirm the hypothesis that the sampling method itself has no influence on CORTf levels measured, plucked and cut samples of the respective bird were collected. Birds of two wild species were used: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). The CORTf was measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The determined values were inspected for their mean values, standard deviation (SD), and average differences. Afterwards, the CORTf levels of both species were compared, according to the sampling method, with the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). In the Bland-Altman (BA) plot the differences of the methods were displayed against the mean values. Additionally, sex, as a possible factor influencing CORTf, was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The values of CCC showed poor agreement in the comparability of the two methods, whereas the concordance of the BA plot was decent. The average differences between the methods were marginal for both species (Mallards: −0.16 pg/mm, Flamingos −0.13 pg/mm). In summary, all anomalies or differences between the methods were negligible. Therefore, the alternative sampling method seems to be as suitable as the common standard method. No significant difference was found between females and males. Nevertheless, our results suggest that CORTf should not be interpreted in just considering the values themselves, but the results they should be analyzed in the context of a wider set of parameters. Hence, further studies are encouraged to create a larger data pool.

BackgroundFor over a decade, monitoring of West Nile virus (WNV) in Germany has consisted of a bird monitoring programme as well as a mosquito-based surveillance programme employing CO2-baited encephalitis vector surveillance (EVS) traps for mass trapping and screening of mosquitoes. In contrast to the EVS traps, the Reiter/Cummings type box gravid trap collects gravid female mosquitoes, which have already taken a blood meal, increasing the likelihood of being infected with pathogens. The traps can be equipped with a honey-baited Flinders Technology Associates® (FTA) card to encourage sugar feeding by the trapped mosquitoes. FTA cards contain nucleic acid preserving substances, which prevent the degradation of viral RNA in the expectorated mosquito saliva and allows for testing the card for flavivirus RNA. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the method for WNV surveillance in Germany as an alternative to previous methods, which are expensive, time-consuming, and predominantly target host-seeking populations less likely to be infected with WNV.MethodsIn the Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) died of WNV infections in July and August 2020. In response, five Reiter/Cummings type box gravid traps were positioned during the daytime on the 10th, 13th, and 16th of September in five different locations. The FTA cards and mosquitoes in the chamber were collected, kept in a cool chain, and further processed for virus detection using a modified generic flavivirus reverse transcription PCR.ResultsA total of 15 trappings during September collected a total of 259 female mosquitoes, 97% of which were Culex pipiens sensu lato, as well as 14 honey-baited FTA cards. Eight mosquitoes tested PCR-positive for WNV. Four FTA cards tested PCR-positive for mosquito-borne flaviviruses, two of which were confirmed as WNV, and the remaining two confirmed as Usutu virus.ConclusionThe suitability of the FTA cards in preserving viral RNA in the field and rapid turnaround time from collection to result is combined with a simple, cost-effective, and highly specific trapping method to create an arbovirus surveillance system, which circumvents many of the difficulties of previous surveillance programmes that required the analysis of mosquitoes in the laboratory.Graphical

Electrophoresis can be used to aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases (eg, aspergillosis) in avian species. Reference intervals for blood plasma proteins of 2 different flamingo species (Phoenicopterus roseus and Phoenicopterus ruber) and their hybrids were calculated by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and differences between these species, sexes, and age groups were evaluated. Lithium-heparinized plasma samples from 111 animals from a zoological collection were analyzed by CZE and statistically evaluated. Differences were only found between greater and American flamingos (P = .003) and between greater flamingos and hybrids (P = .001) in the γ-globulin fraction. Male greater flamingos showed significantly higher α-globulins (P = .022) and females higher total albumin by CZE (P = .037). In American flamingos, the percent total albumin (P = .017), total albumin (P = .025), prealbumin (P = .005), and albumin/ globulin (A/G) ratio (P = .008) were higher in females, and α- (P = .023) and β-globulins (P = .021) were higher in males of the same species. The following parameters differed significantly between the age groups: γ-globulins (P = .048) in greater and α- (P = .021) and β-globulins (P = .001) in American flamingos increased with increased age and percent total albumin (P = .002), total albumin (P = .024), and A/G ratio (P = .002) decreased with age in American flamingos. The results showed only small differences between the species, but greater differences between the sexes and ages, especially in American flamingos, which must be considered when interpreting laboratory results.

Flying is the main means of locomotion for most avian species, and it requires a series of adaptations of the skeleton and of feather distribution on the wing. Flight type is directly associated with the mechanical constraints during flight, which condition both the morphology and microscopic structure of the bones. Three primary flight styles are adopted by avian species: flapping, gliding, and soaring, with different loads among the main wing bones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional microstructure of the most important skeletal wing bones, humerus, radius, ulna, and carpometacarpus, in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus). These two species show a flapping and soaring flight style, respectively. Densitometry, morphology, and laminarity index were assessed from the main bones of the wing of 10 griffon vultures and 10 flamingos. Regarding bone mineral content, griffon vultures generally displayed a higher mineral density than flamingos. Regarding the morphology of the crucial wing bones involved in flight, while a very slightly longer humerus was observed in the radius and ulna of flamingos, the ulna in griffons was clearly longer than other bones. The laminarity index was significantly higher in griffons. The results of the present study highlight how the mechanics of different types of flight may affect the biomechanical properties of the wing bones most engaged during flight.

Objectives: To assess the temporal variations of the large wading birds in the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary and to suggest management recommendations for the better management of the wading birds visited in the sanctuary seasonally. Methods and Statistical analysis: The population characteristic of large wading birds was carried out by employing a ‘direct count’ method. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to understand the impact of various seasons on the population characteristics of large wading birds. Findings: In total, 13 species of large wading birds were observed. Among the 13 species, the Black-headed Ibis and Painted stork are Near Threatened category (IUCN, 2020). Greater Flamingos showed the highest density than the other large wading birds observed from the PCWLS. The density, diversity and species richness of large wading birds were relatively greater in monsoon than the other seasons studied. The population characteristics of large wading birds varied significantly among the months and seasons (P<0.001). Novelty and applications : The diversity of large wading birds is declined when compared to the previous studies. The study revealed that the PCWLS is required intensive assessment of the various ecological factors of the sanctuary for managing various species of waterbirds visited seasonally. Keywords: Conservation; large wading birds; population; waterbirds; wetlands