Local Birds Research Articles

Assessment of antibody assay methods in determination of prevalence of infectious bursal disease among local chickens and guinea fowls in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.

Aim:This study aimed to assess available assay methods for infectious bursal disease (IBD) diagnosis and seromonitoring in local birds. It also sought to know the prevalence of IBD antibodies among local chickens and guinea fowls in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Sera were obtained from local chickens and guinea fowls and IBD virus (IBDV) antibodies were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test, and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test.Results:A total of 265 sera were obtained from local birds during dry and wet seasons. ELISA recorded the highest prevalence of 81.1% (215/265) while IHA and AGID detected IBDV antibodies in 183 (69.1%) and 122 (46%) birds, respectively. Significant differences were established for IBD-positive sera based on the assay method used, bird species, and seasons.Conclusion:This study indicated that ELISA is the most sensitive and reliable assay method while AGID is the least. It also showed that there is a high prevalence of IBDV antibodies among local birds which were not vaccinated, and this implies a high IBDV activity among these bird species in the study area. This may have significant epidemiological implications on the spread of the virus to exotic bird reared in the rural areas on a commercial scale. Thus, this study suggests continuous surveillance, awareness campaign, and advocacy for vaccination of indigenous birds against IBD.

Need for focus on microbial species following ice melt and changing freshwater regimes in a Janus Arctic Gateway

Oceanic gateways are sensitive to climate driven processes. By connecting oceans, they have a global influence on marine biological production and biogeochemical cycles. The furthest north of these gateways is Nares Strait at the top of the North Water between Greenland and Ellesmere Island (Canada). This gateway is globally beneficial, first by supporting high local mammal and bird populations and second with the outflow of phosphate-rich Arctic waters fueling the North Atlantic spring bloom. Both sides of the North Water are hydrologically distinct with counter currents that make this Arctic portal a Janus gateway, after Janus, the Roman god of duality. We examined oceanographic properties and differences in phytoplankton and other protist communities from the eastern and western sides of the North Water (latitude 76.5°N) and found that species differed markedly due to salinity stratification regimes and local hydrography. Typical Arctic communities were associated with south flowing currents along the Canadian side, while potentially noxious Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were dominant on the Greenland side and associated with greater surface freshening from ice melt. This susceptibility of the Greenland side to Pseudo-nitzschia spp. blooms suggest that monitoring species responses to climate mediated changes is needed.

Serological survey of Infectious Bursal Disease Antibodies amongst birds in Keffi, Nassarawa State, Nigeria

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) is an acute, immunosuppressive disease of significant threat to the poultry industry in Nigeria and vaccination has been reported as the best method of control. This study was conducted between November and December 2015 to establish the occurrence of infectious bursal disease antibodies in exotic chickens from some selected backyard poultry farms and local chickens slaughtered in keffi central market, Nassarawa State. Sera collected randomly from two hundred birds were subjected to Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) for qualitative analysis at the virology laboratory (FCVMLT), National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. The assay showed 35% of exotic birds had IBD virus antibodies while local birds indicated absence of detectable antibodies with significant P<0.05 breed association (Χ2= 42.5, df=2). However, there was no association (P>0.05) with age in both breeds and IBDV antibodies (Χ2=0.802, 3.13, df=1). The presence of antibodies in exotic breeds suggests evidence of post vaccination protective antibodies due to sero-conversion rather than anti-IBDV antibodies associated with disease. Absence of infectious bursal disease virus antibodies in local birds suggests high vulnerability to potential IBD outbreaks posing a risk of financial losses to stakeholders. In conclusion, this sero-survey of Infectious bursal disease antibodies in exotic birds suggest evidence of vaccination and the need to vaccinate local birds. Awareness campaign program amongst rural and backyard poultry keepers in the study community on the need to protect their commercial exotic and free scavenging birds against infectious bursal disease is thus recommended.

Impact of wind farms on soaring bird populations at a migratory bottleneck

Collision with turbines at wind farms is expected to have a greater impact on birds at particular sites where high concentrations of individuals occur, such as migration bottleneck areas. The Strait of Gibraltar (southern Spain) has long been recognized as the most important bottleneck in western Europe for soaring bird migration. Moreover, this area is within one of the most important potential areas for wind energy generation in Spain. Here, we examine monthly migratory soaring bird abundance in relation to long-term avian mortality rates at 21 wind farms located near the Strait of Gibraltar using zero-inflated hurdle negative binomial and gamma models. Best fit models included an effect of season in the collision mortality rates and in the proportion of adult individuals within the total deaths. However, monthly bird abundance was not directly related to the number of fatalities over the year. The accumulated fatalities during autumn migration constitute a small percentage (1%) of the total migrating population size. Moreover, mortality peak during autumn migration is largely attributable to juvenile birds. In contrast, the number of fatalities coinciding with the breeding period constitutes a substantial proportion (6%) of the local population, and it involved substantial losses among adult birds. Our results show that wind farms probably have an individually low impact on the migratory population of soaring birds. On the contrary, annual losses among adult local birds are remarkably high considering the small size of the local populations, and they may have population level effects.

Antimicrobials usage assessments in commercial poultry and local birds in North-central Nigeria: Associated pathways and factors for resistance emergence and spread

The World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) recommended monitoring of antimicrobial use (AMU) through surveillance and research to help mitigate AMR. This survey was aimed at assessing poultry owners’ knowledge/awareness and practices regarding AMU, identified pathways for AMR emergence and spread in small-scale commercial poultry farms and free-range local bird flocks in North-central Nigeria. An interview questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on commercial poultry farmers and local bird flock keepers in 2017. Also, a Traffic Light system model was used assess risk status of AMU in farms and flocks. All the 384 recruited poultry farmers/keepers participated in the survey. Female respondents were the majority (67.2%). Low proportion of poultry farmers (46.4%, 89/192) and very low proportion of bird keepers (6.8%, 13/192) knew antimicrobials misuse to be when administered under dose. About 48% (93/192) of farmers and 93% (179/192) of keepers arbitrary determined antimicrobial dosage before administration. Respondents used antimicrobials for therapeutic, prophylactic, and growth promotion in birds. Also, participants significantly identified contaminated poultry products, infected poultry or contaminated formites, and discharged contaminated faeces into environment as pathways for transmission of antimicrobial resistant pathogens to humans. Traffic Light system model revealed 88.5% of small-scale commercial poultry farms to frequently used antimicrobials without veterinarians’ consultations thereby attaining Class 1 (Red risk) status. The model showed that 92.1% of free-range local bird flocks rarely used antimicrobials thereby attaining Class 3 (Green risk) status. Improper antimicrobial dosage in poultry (OR: 7.23; 95% CI: 2.74, 19.21), non-enforcement of AMU regulating laws in poultry (OR: 4.12; 95% CI: 2.39, 7.10), weak financial status of poultry owners (OR: 3.00; 95% CI: 2.39, 7.10), and management system (OR: 8.94; 95% CI: 5.62, 14.24) were more likely to satisfactorily influenced antimicrobials misuse in poultry farms and local bird flocks. The survey revealed low knowledge level regarding AMU in the poultry. Antimicrobials were rarely used in local bird flocks, making them likely organic and safe from AMR. It is imperative to educate farmers on judicious AMU, enforce existing veterinary legislation on antimicrobials, establish antimicrobials surveillance system, and sensitize farmers on adequate biosecurity measures and routine vaccination of farms, so as to assure food safety, food security, and public health.

Bird functional traits affect seed dispersal patterns of China\u2019s endangered trees across different disturbed habitats

BackgroundThe most dominant global threat to natural forests and their biodiversity is land-cover change, which has negative impacts on both species persistence and ecosystem functions. Land-cover change could alter animal behaviour and disrupt seed dispersal mutualisms. However, its effects on the role of bird functional traits in seed dispersal are not well studied.MethodsIn the present study, we assessed the contributions of bird functional traits (behavioural traits: food habit, foraging pattern, foraging frequency, and habitat specialisation; morphological traits: weight, body length, wing length, and tail length) to both seed removal patterns and seed dispersal distances of an endangered and native tree species, Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis), in farmland, patchy habitat, and natural habitat, of southeast China.ResultsWe found that the ability of T. chinensis trees to form seed dispersal mutualisms with local birds varied across the different disturbed habitats. As a consequence of these mutualisms, more seeds were removed by birds from the patchy habitat than from the other two habitats. The number of seeds removed increased with bird foraging frequency. Moreover, the dispersal distance from the three habitats differed, and the longest dispersal distances were observed at both the patchy habitat and the farmland site. Seed dispersal distance increased with bird tail and wing length.ConclusionsOur results highlight the importance of bird functional traits in the seed dispersal patterns of endangered trees across disturbed forest habitats, which should be considered for tree conservation and management.

The Amount and Distribution of the Red Data Book Bird Wetland Species in the Azov-Black Sea Region of Ukraine According to the Results of August Counts 2004–2015

Abstract In the period from 2004 to 2015, in the Azov-Black Sea region of Ukraine and the adjacent territories five simultaneous August Counts covered all key coastal wetlands were conducted. They were primarily aimed at studying the abundance and spatial distribution of local water birds fauna, since that time there was hardly any migrations. In total 5.5 million birds of 133 species were counted during five August Counts. Forty species of them are included in the 3rd edition of the Red Data Book (RDB) of Ukraine, 35 of which are ecologically related to wetlands. The total amount of RDB birds was 179.5 thousand individuals, or 3.26 % of the total number of counted birds. Amount of birds varied from count to count between 21 and about 55 thousands of birds. In total 80 wetlands were covered by surveys, and in 73 of them (91.3 %), at least one time RDB species were recorded, that indicates the importance of the Azov-Black Sea coast for maintaining both local and migratory RDB birds. In five of the most valuable wetlands the percentage of counted birds from the total average value for all birds ranged from 5.3 % to 16.7 %, cumulatively making up 49.3 %. These are the following sites — Eastern Sivash, Lower part of the Ukrainian Danube Delta, Central Syvash, Kinburnskyi Peninsula, Lebedyni Islands.

Habitat quality is more important than matrix quality for bird communities in protected areas.

Protected areas are meant to preserve native local communities within their boundaries, but they are not independent from their surroundings. Impoverished habitat quality in the matrix might influence the species composition within the protected areas through biotic homogenization. The aim of this study was to determine the impacts of matrix quality on species richness and trait composition of bird communities from the Finnish reserve area network and whether the communities are being subject of biotic homogenization due to the lowered quality of the landscape matrix. We used joint species distribution modeling to study how characteristics of the Finnish forest reserves and the quality of their surrounding matrix alter species and trait compositions of forest birds. The proportion of old forest within the reserves was the main factor in explaining the bird community composition, and the bird communities within the reserves did not strongly depend on the quality of the matrix. Yet, in line with the homogenization theory, the beta‐diversity within reserves embedded in low‐quality matrix was lower than that in high‐quality matrix, and the average abundance of regionally abundant species was higher. Influence of habitat quality on bird community composition was largely explained by the species' functional traits. Most importantly, the community specialization index was low, and average body size was high in areas with low proportion of old forest. We conclude that for conserving local bird communities in northern Finnish protected forests, it is currently more important to improve or maintain habitat quality within the reserves than in the surrounding matrix. Nevertheless, we found signals of bird community homogenization, and thus, activities that decrease the quality of the matrix are a threat for bird communities.

13. Mitigating Avian and Bat Mortality at Wolfe Island’s Wind Facility

This research focuses on exploring existing mitigation and modification options in order to develop appropriate recommendations to aid TransAlta Corporation in curbing bird and bat mortalities on Wolfe Island. Since the construction and operation of the Wolfe Island wind facility in Frontenac County, Ontario began in 2008, it has contributed to the deaths of many local and migratory birds and bats. While official tallies of avian and bat mortalities to date vary across reports, environmentalist groups and residents alike have expressed concerns for the safety of these species citing the facility’s position on a migratory route along the eastern end of Lake Ontario as a key point of contention (Bazillauskas, A. & Yatchew, A., 2011; Blackwell, R., 2012; Dierschke, J et al., 2006). In response, the power company behind the project, TransAlta Corporation, has begun conducting its own investigation into the issue and producing bi-annual monitoring reports of mortalities but has made no significant alterations to their turbines (TransAlta Corporation, 2012). As part of an effort to reduce the direct and indirect effects of the Wolfe Island wind facility on migrating bird and bat species, this report aims to assess the suitability for TransAlta corporation of certain mitigation options such as running turbines on a rotating schedule to account for the high traffic periods throughout the year when species are likely to be most at risk and avoiding the continuous lighting which attracts nocturnal species to the towers.

10. The influence Kingston feral cat populations have on local biodiversity

Focus: Kingston Feral Cat (Felis catus) PopulationLocation: Greater Kingston AreaIssue: Released domesticated cats have established feral populations within the Kingston area. Predation by the feral cats has caused damage to the local bird and small mammal populations. The cats also displace other mammals that have previously occupied the same ecological niche. Furthermore, the increased cat population has led to an increase in the flea and disease count. Overall they decrease biodiversity in the Kingston area. Objective: We aim to promote and inform the general public of this occurrence, so that the communitycan be involved with helping manage and decrease the damaging effects of the feral population. Methods:1. Survey a local colony of feral cats to further understand the extent of the problem.2. Work with local conservation initiatives (ex. Kingston Spay and Neuter Initiative) to gain hands onexperience in dealing with the feral cats.3. To raise awareness by utilizing social media (creating images people want to share on Facebook,Twitter, Tumblr etc.)Ultimate goal: With this project we hope to alter the problem of feral cats with a two-fold solution. By increasing public awareness we hope to decrease the release of domesticated cats into the wild, promote owners spaying and neutering their pets and encourage others to perform further work. We hope to utilize our own skills and gain experience by working on the ground with local initiatives to learn the best methods to tackle this issue.

Avian Influenza (H5N1) outbreak investigation in Bawjiase, Central Region- Ghana, 2015

Introduction : Avian Influenza H5N1 subtype is highly pathogenic, and since its re-emergence in 2003, has spread across several continents, including Africa. Outbreaks pose a threat to public health and have seriously impacted livelihoods and international trade. On the 7 th of October 2015, the Ghana Health Service received report of AI outbreak in poultry at Bawjiase in the Ghana, Central Region. We investigated to estimate the magnitude, identify human cases and contacts and to institute control measures. Methods : a suspected human case was any person presenting with unexplained acute lower respiratory illness with fever (> 38°C), cough and shortness of breath exposed to poultry or poultry products. Contacts were people who touched poultry or poultry products, visited or worked in the affected farms. We identified and interviewed poultry farmers from affected farms and households as well as other human contacts using a structured questionnaire. We listed contacts and followed them up for 7 days. Oropharyngeal swab was taken from symptomatic human contacts for Polymerase Chain Reaction. Environmental assessment was carried out. Data was analyzed into frequencies, proportions, median and interquartile range using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results : a total of 110 free-range local birds from 33 households were affected with 50 deaths (case fatality of 45.4%). Overall, 137 human contacts were identified; median age 22 years (interquartile range 10-38 years) and 70 (51%) were males. Body temperatures monitored ranged from 34.4°C and 36.9°C. One contact, a 14-year old boy, developed symptoms of sore throat and fever. He had had processed and consumed dead birds. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimen from him tested negative for H5N1. Conclusion : an outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) occurred among local birds in Bawjiase. No human infections occurred. Birds and their products in all affected and neighboring households were destroyed and the households disinfected. Biosafety and biosecurity measures were recommended. We recommended construction of bird establishments to improve biosafety and biosecurity.

Energyscapes and prey fields shape a North Atlantic seabird wintering hotspot under climate change.

There is an urgent need for a better understanding of animal migratory ecology under the influence of climate change. Most current analyses require long-term monitoring of populations on the move, and shorter-term approaches are needed. Here, we analysed the ecological drivers of seabird migration within the framework of the energyscape concept, which we defined as the variations in the energy requirements of an organism across geographical space as a function of environmental conditions. We compared the winter location of seabirds with their modelled energy requirements and prey fields throughout the North Atlantic. Across six winters, we tracked the migration of 94 little auks (Alle alle), a key sentinel Arctic species, between their East Greenland breeding site and wintering areas off Newfoundland. Winter energyscapes were modelled with Niche Mapper™, a mechanistic tool which takes into account local climate and bird ecophysiology. Subsequently, we used a resource selection function to explain seabird distributions through modelled energyscapes and winter surface distribution of one of their main prey, Calanus finmarchicus. Finally, future energyscapes were calculated according to IPCC climate change scenarios. We found that little auks targeted areas with high prey densities and moderately elevated energyscapes. Predicted energyscapes for 2050 and 2095 showed a decrease in winter energy requirements under the high emission scenario, which may be beneficial if prey availability is maintained. Overall, our study demonstrates the great potential of the energyscape concept for the study of animal spatial ecology, in particular in the context of global change.

Inorganic Elements in Eggs of Two Cavity-Nesting Passerine Species at and around Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project to build nuclear weapons, and currently operates as a national research laboratory. As part of an ongoing assessment of site-related ecological risk at LANL, western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) eggs were collected from 1997 to 2012 and analyzed for 18 inorganic elements. Concentrations of many inorganic elements in eggs were below reporting limits. Between species comparisons revealed that western bluebird eggs had higher levels of barium while ash-throated flycatcher eggs had higher levels of mercury. No statistically significant differences were observed in concentrations of inorganic elements in western bluebird eggs collected from the study area (which consists of areas within the current and historic LANL boundary) and from a non-industrial reference site; nor were any statistically significant differences observed between two canyons of interest, known to have received effluents and storm water runoff from LANL facilities, and the non-industrial reference site. Inorganic element levels detected in western bluebirds were typically within the range measured in eggs of other passerine in the published literature. These data suggest that concentrations of inorganic elements in passerine eggs collected from the study area appear to be at levels causing negligible risks to local bird populations.

Organic Chemical Concentrations in Eggs and Nestlings of Cavity Nesting Birds at and around Los Alamos National Laboratory

In 1943, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was established as part of the Manhattan project to design atomic weapons. LANL now operates as a multidisciplinary research institution. As part of an ongoing assessment of siterelated ecological risk, organochlorine pesticides, their metabolites, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs) were evaluated in western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) eggs relative to a developed but non-industrial reference area; PCBs and TEQs were also evaluated in nestlings. Chemicals were below detection limits in the majority of samples. Western bluebird eggs collected from the study area had significantly lower concentrations of dieldrin, oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor when compared with eggs from the reference area. No differences were observed in concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and heptachlor epoxide. Ash-throated flycatcher eggs contained higher total TEQ concentrations when compared with western bluebird eggs; however, no differences in concentrations of DDE, DDT, dieldrin, or total PCBs were observed. No differences were observed in total PCBs or TEQs in nestlings between the two species. Western bluebird eggs contained higher levels of total PCBs and TEQs when compared with nestlings; no differences were observed in total PCBs or TEQs between ash-throated flycatcher eggs and nestlings. Chemical concentrations detected in eggs of both species were below levels that are associated with adverse effects reported in the scientific literature, suggesting that concentrations of organic chemicals observed here appear to be at levels causing negligible risks to local bird populations.

Spatial and Ontogenetic Variation in Mercury in Lake Superior Basin Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus).

Mercury concentrations were measured in eggs, larvae, and adult spawning-phase sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) collected in tributaries of Lake Superior to investigate spatial and ontogenetic variation. There were significant differences in mercury concentrations between all three life stages, with levels highest in adults (mean = 3.01µg/g), followed by eggs (mean = 0.942µg/g), and lowest in larvae (mean = 0.455µg/g). There were no significant differences in mercury concentrations by location for any life stage or by sex in adults. Mercury was not correlated with adult or larval lamprey length or mass. Mercury levels in adult lampreys exceeded U.S. and Canadian federal guidelines for human consumption. Mercury concentrations in all life stages exceeded criteria for the protection of piscivorous wildlife, posing a threat to local fish, birds, and mammals. High mercury levels in adult lampreys combined with their semelparous life history make them a potential source of lake-derived mercury to spawning streams.

Conservation and human livelihoods at the crossroads: Local needs and knowledge in the management of Arabuko Sokoke Forest

AbstractArabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining single block of indigenous dry coastal tropical forest in Eastern Africa. Households within a 5 km buffer zone depend heavily on the forest for their livelihood needs, and the pressure on forest resources is on the increase. In May 2015, 109 households were interviewed on resources they obtain from the forest, in terms of the self‐reported level of monthly income. We found household income and farm size significantly positively correlated with benefits from the forest, highlighting the possible influence of household wealth in exploiting forest resources. A large proportion of households (32%) had limited knowledge of local birds, while human–bird conflict was reported by 44% of the households. While many households were keen to participate in conservation projects that maintain the forest, 44% had no knowledge of the forest management plan, and 60% of those interviewed had no idea of how forest zones were designated for particular activities. Drivers for local community participation in conservation projects appear to be sustainable income and fulfilment of basic household needs.

Human perceptions of an avian predator in an urban ecosystem: close proximity to nests increases fondness among local residents

How humans view their local birds influences the habitat quality for the birds. Humans that enjoy birds will often consider them when altering landscapes or may enhance their own property to benefit the birds (e.g. maintaining birdfeeders, keeping cats indoors). Human perceptions of hawks are unique as hawks predatory and much larger than most other urban birds. From June–July 2016, we surveyed 280 homes near Red-tailed Hawk’s (Buteo jamaicensis) nests in Reno-Sparks, NV about their perceptions of and experiences with hawks. Seventy percent of residents viewed hawks positively, 3% negatively, and 27% indifferently. Results from generalized linear mixed models indicated that whether residents had domestic animals threatened by hawks, or raised chickens, did not impact the residents’ perceptions of hawks (p = 0.52, p = 0.57, respectively). Age was also a nonsignificant indicator of residents’ perceptions of hawks (p = 0.34), though the residents that viewed hawks negatively were concentrated between 40 and 70 years of age. Mediation analysis revealed that human experiences with hawks (e.g. observing hawks) fully mediated the relationship between resident proximity to a nest and whether they viewed hawks positively (p < 0.001). This human-hawk relationship lies within the broader topic of nature-society interactions and based on our findings we suggest that residents’ experiences with hawks can lead to the residents obtaining some of the benefits of nature-society interactions. Though unquantified in our study, these benefits can include increased positive emotions and life satisfaction, which lead to healthier residents that are more likely to engage in conservation activities.

Evidence for passerine bird pollination in Rhododendron species.

When insect activity is limited at low temperature, birds may be comparatively more important pollinators than insects for flowering plants. It has been thought that many large-flowered Rhododendron species are pollinated by local birds in the Himalayan regions because most of these species flower in spring at high elevation with cool atmospheric temperature. However, experimental evidence for the role of bird pollination in this hyperdiverse genus remains scarce. To examine the role of birds and insects in pollination, we observed floral visitors to 15 Rhododendron species with different floral sizes and abundant flowering individuals in the eastern Himalayas, Southwest China. To examine the role of birds and insects in female reproductive success in each species, cages were used to exclude birds but not insects from visiting flowers and net bags were used to exclude all floral visitors. Inflorescences where visitation was excluded did not produce fruits in any of the Rhododendron species, indicating that sexual reproduction in these species depended on pollinator visitation. Bird visits were generally less frequent than bee visits in the studied species. However, in the nine species on which bird visitors were observed, fruit and/or seed set were greatly reduced in inflorescences caged to exclude birds but not bees, compared to open-pollinated inflorescences. In the other six species on which bird visitation was not observed, fruit and seed set did not differ significantly between caged and open inflorescences except in one species (R. wardii). Manipulations to achieve selective exclusion of visitors demonstrated that birds could be effective pollinators for 10 out of 15 studied Rhododendron species in the eastern Himalayas. Floral characteristics of these Rhododendron species and weather conditions might favour the evolution of bird pollination systems in the East Himalayas.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIETARY CRUDE PROTEIN AND METABOLIZABLE ENERGY ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL SINAI POULTRY STRAIN DURING THE GROWING PERIOD AND SUBSEQUENT LAYING PERFORMANCE

A total number of 198 local Sinai birds (180 ♀ and 18 ♂) 14-weeks-old were weighed and divided into six dietary treatments to determine the nutritional requirements of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) on growth performance and nutrients digestibility during the growing period (13-18 weeks of age) and subsequent effect during laying period from 23 to 32 weeks of age. The dietary levels of CP and ME included 3x2 factorial design (13, 14 and 15 CP, each contained 2650 and 2700 ME). The results obtained indicated that BW at the end of grower period increased significantly with the diet contained 15% CP+2700 Kcal/Kg diet followed by those fed diet contained 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/Kg diet as compared to the other dietary groups. The best value of feed conversion ratio was observed with the diet contained 15% CP + 2700 Kcal/Kg diet followed by the diet with 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/ Kg diet. In respect of sexual maturity (SM) the pullets fed diet contained 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/ Kg diet reached to SM at earlier age (139 days). the values of crude fiber digestibility was significantly increased in the pullets fed diet contained 14% + 2650 kcal/Kg diet compared to those fed the diet with 15% CP+2650 Kcal/Kg diet. The birds fed previous grower diet contained 15% CP + 2700 Kcal/Kg diet ME recorded significantly the highest value of feed intake compared to the other dietary treatments except for the diet with 14% CP+2650 Kcal/Kg diet ME and 14% CP+ 2700Kcal/ Kg diet ME. Subsequent significant effect was observed on feed conversion ratio where there was significantly improved due to the grower diet contained 14% CP + 2650 Kcal/Kg diet ME compared to the other treatments except for the grower diet included CP 15% +2700 Kcal/Kg diet. The most remarkable was observed with the hens fed previous grower diet contained 14 CP% + ME 2650 Kcal/Kg diet where there was a significant increase in economic efficiency compared to the other dietary treatments except for those fed grower diet with CP 15% + ME 2700 Kcal/Kg diet. The results in the current study illustrated that the Sinai birds during the growing period (13-18 weeks of age) require 14%dietary crude protein and 2650 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy diet to optimal performance during the growing and laying periods.

Lower settlement following a forced displacement experiment: nonbreeding as a dispersal cost in a wild bird?

Dispersal is a key life history trait impacting ecological and evolutionary processes. Yet, the fitness consequences of dispersal remain poorly investigated. Using a displacement experiment of 616 individuals in a patchy population of collared flycatchers, Ficedula albicollis, we investigated behavioural responses to forced movement in terms of settlement, subsequent breeding performance and return rate. Newly arrived birds were caught and displaced between patches or released back in the patch of capture. We analysed (1) the probability of successful settlement within the study area, (2) for displaced birds, the probability of accepting the forced movement rather than returning to the patch of capture, (3) components of reproductive performance and (4) return rate in subsequent years according to experimental treatment. The probability of settling within the study area tended to be lower for displaced than control birds and was lower for immigrants than local birds. This suggests that displacement induced long-distance dispersal movements or nonbreeding, which could reflect costs of unfamiliarity with the environment. Nondispersers (individuals caught early in the breeding season in the same patch as their previous one) were more likely to return to their patch of capture, probably because of higher benefits of familiarity. Once individuals had settled, their breeding performance did not vary markedly between treatments, although displaced individuals that did not return to their patch of capture raised lighter young than other individuals. This could indicate a lower phenotypic quality of these individuals or, again, a cost of breeding in an unfamiliar environment. Finally, individuals that settled (and nondispersers) were more likely to return to the study area in subsequent years than individuals that disappeared (and immigrants/dispersers, respectively). Together, these results suggest that, in addition to the costs of transience, dispersal (here forced) may entail costs linked to settlement in an unfamiliar habitat.