Leucosticte Tephrocotis Research Articles

РЕВИЗИЯ ФАУНЫ ПТИЦ ДОЛИНЫ ГЕЙЗЕРОВ НА КАМЧАТКЕ: ВИДОВОЙ СОСТАВ, ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЭКОЛОГИИ

In this paper, the author presents revision of the investigations of birds from the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka, which summarizes data obtained for the past 50 years. According to the latest revision, the avifauna of this region includes 91 species (53 nesting species). There are no region-specific species. The discovery and status of the Grey crowned Rosy finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) requires a reliable verification. The high species diversity of birds in a small area (31.5 km2) may be explained by the biotope diversity in the area, which is associated with the geothermal activity at the border of forest and subalpine vegetation. The weighted average bird population density is 211.8 pairs/km2. Its appearance is subalpine with a small proportion of forest species. Twelve (12) species are listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and (or) Kamchatka. The most significant findings are the regular wintering of the Solitary Snipe (Gallinago solitaria), the possible reproduction of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the background status of the Rustic Bunting (Ocyris rusticus). The mudflow that passed through the Geysernaya Valley on June 7, 2007 had a catastrophic impact on the natural appearance of the central part of the Valley of Geysers. Variants of its effects on birds are discussed. Geothermal activity determines the possibility of wintering of a number of species in subalpine harsh conditions, a shift in the timing of periodic events in the life of birds, including earlier reproduction, the possibility of nesting on extremely warm ground, behavioral characteristics during incubation and other features of bird ecology.

Passive recovery of an island bird community after rodent eradication

The number and scale of island invasive species eradications is growing, but quantitative evidence of the conservation efficacy of passive recovery is limited. We compare relative abundances of breeding birds on Hawadax Island (formerly named Rat island), Aleutian Archipelago, Alaska, pre- and post- rat eradication to examine short-term (<1 year post-eradication) changes due to rodenticide application, and medium-term (5 years post-eradication) changes due to the absence of invasive rats. In the short term, Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) numbers decreased from 24 individuals pre-eradication to two individuals <1 year post-eradication, but recovered to 10 individuals (42 % of pre-eradication) 5 years post-eradication, with all individuals nesting (63 % of the pre-eradication nesting). Five years post-eradication relative abundances of most terrestrial birds surveyed using point counts either significantly increased [Gray-crowned Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis), Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)] or did not differ [Pacific Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)]. Shorebirds also increased 5 years post-eradication with Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliates) increasing fivefold, and Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) nesting increasing from one to five nests. We confirmed two species of ground nesting seabirds [Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) and Leach’s Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucohoa)] as nesting (puffin) or engaged in courtship behavior (Storm-petrel) 5 years post-eradication. Our results indicate that despite the short-term impact on Bald Eagles, and without further human intervention, most terrestrial and marine birds have newly-colonized, re-colonized, or increased in abundance following the eradication of invasive rats.

An unforgettable experience

As a young girl growing up on a farm in Franklin, New Jersey, I was intrigued by the natural world around me and used to regularly feed and watch the birds in our yard. After taking a birding course at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO), my sister, Janet, inspired me to really learn about the birds visiting my yard. At the time, I had no idea that watching and learning about birds would also be of interest to others. The concept of “citizen science” was foreign to me. That changed, however, after I joined Project FeederWatch (PFW; www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/) and made an exciting discovery. On Sunday March 4, 2012, while doing my regular PFW count, an unusual bird caught my eye. It was like no other bird that had visited my feeders or that I had observed while out birding. The gray crown, the pink on the wings, and the pink tinge on its body attracted my attention. I quickly took its photograph, and Janet suggested that I post the picture on CLO's Facebook page. Within 15 minutes it was identified as a gray-crowned rosy finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) that was clearly out of its typical range. Normally found in the mountainous Pacific Northwest and up into Alaska, I was very surprised to find this bird at my feeder in Boonville, New York. Once birders found out about my discovery, we were inundated with requests from dedicated enthusiasts who wanted to come and see “Rosy”, and we did our best to accommodate them. Each day, Rosy would show up around 6:30 in the morning and was gone by 4:30 in the afternoon; he was last seen around 9:30 am on March 9th. Watching him during those 5 days was the birding experience of a lifetime. Participating in PFW has expanded my knowledge of the natural world; for example, I have learned about the importance of plants as food sources and nesting spots for birds. Becoming a citizen scientist has encouraged me to be even more vigilant while making observations of my surroundings, but spotting Rosy in my yard was a fantastic experience that I will never forget.

Nonnative trout impact an alpine‐nesting bird by altering aquatic‐insect subsidies

Adjacent food webs may be linked by cross-boundary subsidies: more-productive donor systems can subsidize consumers in less-productive neighboring recipient systems. Introduced species are known to have direct effects on organisms within invaded communities. However, few studies have addressed the indirect effects of nonnative species in donor systems on organisms in recipient systems. We studied the direct role of introduced trout in altering a lake-derived resource subsidy and their indirect effects in altering a passerine bird's response to that subsidy. We compared the abundance of aquatic insects and foraging Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches (Leucosticte tephrocotis dawsoni, "Rosy-Finch") at fish-containing vs. fishless lakes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California (USA). Introduced trout outcompeted Rosy-Finches for emerging aquatic insects (i.e., mayflies). Fish-containing lakes had 98% fewer mayflies than did fishless lakes. In lakes without fish, Rosy-Finches showed an aggregative response to emerging aquatic insects with 5.9 times more Rosy-Finches at fishless lakes than at fish-containing lakes. Therefore, the introduction of nonnative fish into the donor system reduced both the magnitude of the resource subsidy and the strength of cross-boundary trophic interactions. Importantly, the timing of the subsidy occurs when Rosy-Finches feed their young. If Rosy-Finches rely on aquatic-insect subsidies to fledge their young, reductions in the subsidy by introduced trout may have decreased Rosy-Finch abundances from historic levels. We recommend that terrestrial recipients of aquatic subsidies be included in conservation and restoration plans for ecosystems with alpine lakes.

Anticoagulant Residual Concentration and Poisoning in Birds Following a Large-Scale Aerial Application of 25 ppm Brodifacoum Bait for Rat Eradication on Rat Island, Alaska

Author(s): Ebbert, Steve; Burek-Huntington, Kathy | Abstract: To eradicate invasive Norway rats, an aerial broadcast of the rodenticide Brodifacoum-25W Conservation was conducted on 2,777-ha Rat Island, within the Aleutian Islands Unit of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, between 29 September and 5 October 2008. During subsequent visits to Rat Island (in spring and fall 2009) to check for evidence of remaining rats and to look for evidence of nontarget mortality, personnel found an unexpectedly high number of dead birds: more than 420 carcasses, mostly glaucous-winged gulls and bald eagles, but also included 24 other species. Some carcasses had tissue suitable for analysis and were collected. Seventy bird carcasses were necropsied and cause of death was determined for 50 birds; 45 died of brodifacoum toxicosis. Necropsy determined almost all gulls and eagles had extensive hemorrhaging, consistent with brodifacoum poisoning. All eagles and all but 1 gull tested positive for brodifacoum residues. Positive tests for brodifacoum also were recorded for single specimens of emperor goose, northern fulmar, pelagic cormorant, peregrine falcon, rock sandpiper, and gray-crowned rosy finch. Two Lapland longspurs tested positive for exposure to brodifacoum. Nontarget bird mortality from brodifacoum exposure at Rat Island was higher than predicted in the Environmental Assessment.

Nonnative trout impact an alpine-nesting bird by altering aquatic insect subsidies

Adjacent food webs may be linked by cross-boundary subsidies: more-productive donor systems can subsidize consumers in less-productive neighboring recipient systems. Introduced species are known to have direct effects on organisms within invaded communities. However, few studies have addressed the indirect effects of nonnative species in donor systems on organisms in recipient systems. We studied the direct role of introduced trout in altering a lake-derived resource subsidy and their indirect effects in altering a passerine bird's response to that subsidy. We compared the abundance of aquatic insects and foraging Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches (Leucosticte tephrocotis dawsoni, “Rosy-Finch”) at fish-containing vs. fishless lakes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California (USA). Introduced trout outcompeted Rosy-Finches for emerging aquatic insects (i.e., mayflies). Fish-containing lakes had 98% fewer mayflies than did fishless lakes. In lakes without fish, Rosy-Finches showed an aggregative response to emerging aquatic insects with 5.9 times more Rosy-Finches at fishless lakes than at fish-containing lakes. Therefore, the introduction of nonnative fish into the donor system reduced both the magnitude of the resource subsidy and the strength of cross-boundary trophic interactions. Importantly, the timing of the subsidy occurs when Rosy-Finches feed their young. If Rosy-Finches rely on aquatic-insect subsidies to fledge their young, reductions in the subsidy by introduced trout may have decreased Rosy-Finch abundances from historic levels. We recommend that terrestrial recipients of aquatic subsidies be included in conservation and restoration plans for ecosystems with alpine lakes.

A Genetic Wallace's Line Across Wyoming - Genetic Structure of North American Rosy Finches

North American rosy-finches (genus Leucosticte ) are cunently classified by the American Ornithologists' Union (1998) as three species - the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, L. australis, with a breeding range largely restricted to the Colorado Rockies, but extending barely into southeast Wyoming and northern New Mexico, the Black Rosy-Finch, L. atrata, breeding from Utah north through western Wyoming (including GTNP) and west to Idaho and Nevada, and the Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, L. tephrocotis, breeding from the Sierra Nevada through the Cascades and from northern Montana through the Rockies to Alaska. Based on previous results for a surprising genetic break for black bears (Ursus americanus) across Wyoming, I was interested in the degree of genetic differentiation among populations of rosy-finches, particularly between Brown-capped Rosy-Finches in Colorado and Black Rosy-Finches in Wyoming. Because the mating system is largely unknown, and because of reports in the literature of highly male-biased sex ratios (e.g., 6 males per female; French, 1959), I was also interested in using genetic markers to assess patterns of parentage in rosy-finches. Because of its striking plumage (often indicative of strong sexual selection) I was particularly interested in the Black Rosy-Finch. Using polymorphic microsatellites (nuclear DNA) we have now analyzed an initial sample of individuals from the three North American forms, including three sets of nestling Black Rosy­ Finches and the behavioral father at one of the nests.

The Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch in Manitoba &amp; Vicinity

The Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch in Manitoba &amp; Vicinity

Differential Mortality in the Sexes of the Aleutian Gray-crowned Rosy Finch

Differential Mortality in the Sexes of the Aleutian Gray-crowned Rosy Finch

BEHAVIOUR OF THE ALEUTIAN GREY‐CROWNED AND BROWN‐CAPPED ROSY FINCHES LEUCOSTICTE TEPHROCOTIS

SummaryVisual and vocal displays of Brown‐capped Rosy Finches Leucosticte tephrocotis australis, observed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, and of Aleutian Grey‐crowned Rosy Finches L. t. griseonucha on Adak Island, Alaska, are compared and contrasted with general behaviour among the Fringillidae.Visual display behaviour of the two subspecies is very similar. Vocal displays, as shown by sonagrams, are by comparison divergent. Most of the sound energy in the flock call of griseonucha is concentrated in a single band of frequencies. The range of these frequencies is small, and the call is whistle‐like to the human ear. The flock call of australis, more like that of other finch species, consists of three major bands of frequencies. Based on this difference, it is hypothesized that the flock call of griseonucha may be specialized for penetration of high background noise, which characterizes the windy environment of the Aleutians. In ambient noise that extends across the frequency range of the flock calls, the narrow‐range flock call of griseonucha is relatively high in signal/noise ratio. Some divergence in vocal display may also result from social mimicry in the respective habitats. The flight call of australis is click‐like, and more like the flight call of the 8ympatric Violet‐green Swallow Tachycineta thallasinea than that of griseonucha or of descriptions of the flight call of other finches.The two races differ also in general breeding habits. The breeding season, from first sexual chasing to fledging of young, in griseonucha spans nearly seven months; the study population was sedentary. In australis, individuals migrate in summer to alpine breeding grounds, and the events of breeding occur within about two months. Males were observed to feed their mates during the nesting period, in both races. Male and female fed the young and removed excreta from the nest, with about equal frequency.Both australis and griseonucha have marked excesses of males in the mature populations, but both are monogamous. It is considered that the unbalanced sex ratio may have selective effects on the behaviour associated with reproductive activity.

Reproductive Activities of Rosy Finches, with Special Reference to Montana

THE Gray-crowned Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) is found throughout the higher mountains of western North America and is one of the few species of birds which breed in the alpine (Arctic) zone. Few detailed nesting records of the species exist because most of this high, rugged country is inaccessible by road and all of it has a short summer season. However, Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana, offers a unique opportunity to reach this alpine habitat via a paved road. The Park's one million acres are characterized by large U-shaped glaciated valleys and high aretes and horns. Peaks run from 8,000 feet to 10,500 feet in elevation. Many glaciers and permanent snow fields occupy cirques in the higher portions of the mountains. Logan Pass was the focal point of a four-year study (1958-1961) of the breeding activities of the race L. t. tephrocotis, while I was employed as a ranger-naturalist. Unless otherwise indicated, all comments refer to this race and this area. Although this race of rosy finch inhabits an extensive range extending from the Brooks Range of northern Alaska southward through the higher mountains to northwestern Montana (A.O.U. Checklist, fifth edit., pp. 564-565, 1957), only one nest has previously been reported in the literature (Macoun and Macoun, 1909: 466) and no detailed nesting observations have been published. The present observations supplement recent studies of L. atrata by French (1959b) and earlier studies of L. t. dawsoni by Twining (1938, 1940). References made to these authors throughout the paper refer to the respective forms indicated here unless otherwise stated. The A.O.U. Check-list (1957) separates the genus Leucosticte into three species: L. atrata (Black Rosy Finch), L. australis (Brown-capped Rosy Finch), and L. tephrocotis. The last includes six races: L. t. umbrina, griseanucha, littoralis, tephrocotis, wallowa, and dawsoni. French (1959a: 21) considers all American forms of Leucosticte to be included in the species Leucosticte tephrocotis and Vaurie (1959: 623) further states that the American forms are conspecific with the Asian L. arctoa. The A.O.U. nomenclature has been adopted here since the taxonomic arrangement may not be fully resolved.

An Observation of the Western Race of the Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

An Observation of the Western Race of the Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

Notes on Breeding Activities and on Gular Sacs in the Pine Grosbeak

The literature on breeding of Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) is scant, probably because the birds are seldom common even in their known breeding range. The writer was afforded an unusual opportunity in the summer of 1953 to witness the activities of these birds in the breeding season in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah, and from June 10 until July 30, 1953, observations were made almost daily at 10,500 feet elevation approximately 20 miles east of Kamas, Summit County, Utah, and in adjoining portions of Duchesne and Wasatch counties. Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeaks (P. e. montana) were regularly seen and twelve specimens were collected during this period. The two dominant trees in the region are Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmanni, and alpine fir, A bies lasiocarpa. In an extensive wet meadow Carex was dominant. Upon first arrival at the area on June 10 there was a uniform cover of snow at least three feet deep. Local drifts were, of course, many times this depth. The first Pine Grosbeaks were seen on June 11 when a red male and a typical female were seen feeding with a mixed flock of birds composed of at least a dozen Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra), two Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus), a single Gray-headed Junco (Junco caniceps), and a single male Black Rosy Finch (Leucosticte atrata). These birds were feeding on the snow among scattered debris of the spruce trees. On June 15 a male grosbeak was collected and found to have enlarged testes (11 mm.). On June 20 another male had testes measuring 12 mm. On July 4 a nest was found containing two young. The young were last seen in the nest on July 14. Juveniles accompanied by adults were collected on June 30 and July 13. The bird taken on the former date was still being fed by a parent. After the latter date young birds were frequently seen. From these records it appears that the breeding of Pine Grosbeaks in this region begins, on the average, by the end of the first week in June and the young are out of the nest after the first week in July. There is considerable variation, however, some individuals beginning prior to this time and some carrying over to a later date. Twomey (Ann. Carnegie Mus., 28, 1942:461) recorded Pine Grosbeaks in this area as being in postnuptial molt when he was there July 17 to 20, 1937. In two instances he saw adults feeding fully developed young. The seeds of the Engelmann spruce seemed to be the main food for adult Pine Grosbeaks. In all specimens examined except one, spruce seeds were present. In one exception the esophagus was filled with tender new growth from the tips of spruce branches. Of three filled gular sacs examined, one contained 100 per cent spruce seeds, the second contained primarily spruce seeds with some new growth, and the third contained primarily seeds of Silene acaulis with some spruce seeds and insect parts. The young birds are probably on a diet of seeds by the middle of their nest life. On one occasion a pair of birds was seen eating the ovaries of glacier lilies, Erythronium grandiflorum. Gular sacs in small passerine birds have been reported previously for only one species, Leucosticte tephrocotis (see Miller, Condor, 43, 1941:72-73). It was no surprise, then, when s-imilar structures were found in the Black Rosy Finch. However, it was found that the Pine Grosbeak also makes use of such a special food-carrying device. This first came to my attention on June 30 when a male was collected. This bird had the throat very much distended with food. When skinning the specimen it was found that the structure was the same as that in the Leucosticte. Comparison of sketches from my field notes and of preserved material with Miller's figure (op. cit.) show that the structure is identical in the two genera. When fully distended in the Pine Grosbeak the sacs extend far

Foraging Behavior and Survival in the Sierra Nevada Rosy Finch

A tendency among naturalists today is to select for study animals which inhabit distant regions or those that are found only in inaccessible places. Remoteness adds appeal; the greatest treasures seem to exist in far off places. The author, realizing that some of the most common and accessible birds are often the least known, still yielded to this inclination, and selected as a subject for study the Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis dawsoni) of the Sierra Nevada of California. Canyon, where these observations were made, is situated in the northern part of Yosemite National Park. It is just west of the crest of the Sierra, about thirteen miles north of Tuolumne Meadows, four miles west of Green Lakes Lodge, and fifteen miles south of Bridgeport. A stream, Return Creek, runs through it, first southward and then westward to join the Tuolumne River about fifteen miles east of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The greater part of this study was confined to the region of a great cirque which forms the extreme upper end of Canyon. In this report the term Virginia refers only to the Hudsonian and Arctic-Alpine zones of the canyon, of which the major part is included in the great cirque. The cirque is bordered on the east by Pass (10,600 feet) over which supplies were back-packed from our base at Green Lakes Lodge. The remoteness of the country and the difficulties of transportation were partly compensated for by the relief from human interference with the birds and their surroundings. The east side of the canyon is a single steep slope covered with Artemisia tridentata and other plants which are representative of the Great Basin flora. The west side is more typically Arctic-Alpine. The slopes here are broken by rock outcrops, small sedgecovered meadows, occasional moraines, and small lakes. Timberline follows the lower edge of the cliffs. The trees are stunted white-bark pines (Pinus albicaulis), and are concentrated on the small ridges and other high spots on the floor of the cirque. During the early part of the year these stand out like islands surrounded by a sea of snow. The cirque contains several small lakes and one larger unnamed one, about two acres in extent, which we called Leuco Lake. This lake is located on a shelf on the southwest side of the cirque. Observations in Canyon extended from June 14 to July 31, 1936, and from June 14 to July 25, 1937. A reconnaissance of about thirty miles of the crest of the Sierra Nevada north of Canyon was made from May 23 to 31, 1936. Four days of the same year, between August 15 and 19, were spent in Canyon. In 1937 a ski trip into Canyon was made from May 16 to 18 to observe the activity of the birds early in the season. During the first two weeks of January of both 1935 and 1937, I searched for birds on the mountains surrounding Echo Lake (7500 feet) in Eldorado County, but was unsuccessful. Two short trips in late fall were taken into the high country east of Yosemite to observe the habits of the birds at that season. My brother, Wilbur Twining, was my constant companion throughout the two periods of summer observations. Without his assistance this study would have been much more difficult, perhaps impossible. The rosy finch is an opportunist, living throughout the year on whatever happens to be the most abundant and readily obtainable kind of food. The food supply varies with the season and locality, and an analysis of rosy finch food habits must take these matters into consideration.

Notes on Birds in Southwest Saskatchewan

T HE following notes were all taken at or in the near vicinity of my ranch in the valley of the Frenchman River five miles west of Eastend. During the winter of 1921-22 a considerable number of rosy finches (Leucosticte tephrocotis) were seen on this ranch and at other points in the valley. I saw the first, a male, on November 27; it was taken and sent to the Provincial Museum at Regina. On December 1 I saw another male bird feeding in the stackyard in company with a flock of redpolls. On January 18 two more were taken out of a flock of about thirty. On March 18 we secured a nice pair in our stackyard which we also sent to Regina. All the specimens were tephrocotis and are probably the first to be actually taken in Saskatch-