Motacilla Alba Research Articles

A drastic decline in avian diversity in and around the Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary, Lakhimpur, Assam, India

Bordoibam-Bilmukh is a small wetland located at the boundary of the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, India that provides shelter and breeding ground to many resident and migratory birds. A survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2024 on the avian diversity of Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary. A total of 47 bird species under 16 orders and 29 families were recorded during the survey. Order Passeriformes, recorded with the highest number of avian species (15). Among the families, the highest number of species (5) was recorded under Ardeidae. Out of all the species recorded, three species, viz., Brown Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, and White Wagtail were winter migratory; one species, the Lesser Kestrel, was summer migratory, and the remaining 43 were resident species. Besides, two species, viz., Lesser Adjutant and Greater Adjutant are listed as ‘Near Threatened’ species on the IUCN Red List. Comparing the avian diversity from 1997 to 2024, a decline in the number of avian species from 167 (as per the 1997 record) to 47 (as per the present study) has been observed in the sanctuary. Various anthropogenic activities such as habitat destruction and disturbance, hunting of birds, are the major causes of the decline of avian diversity. For future species diversity restoration in the sanctuary, these negative anthropogenic activities should be addressed immediately for conservation strategies.

Innovative Foraging Behavior of Urban Birds: Use of Insect Food Provided by Cars

Despite high-quality insect food being often restricted in cities, insects are important for the development of birds. Nonetheless, plenty of insects are smashed on cars, and they are available for those species that are able to use them. We used both our own data and community science and Internet sources for surveying global, national, and local data about birds using insects on cars. Our results contained a total of 308 observations of birds collecting insects on car panels, which indicated that 39 species used this food resource since 1928 in 33 countries. Most observations considered the House Sparrow, followed by the White Wagtail and several species of corvids. European urban bird species observed to use insects on cars had a larger residual brain size. There was also some indication that bird species using insects on cars had a larger number of innovations (i.e., production of novel behaviors), greater diet generalism, and longer times living in urbanized areas than birds not observed using insects on cars. Often these species are also resident and able to use food offered in feeding sites. We assume that more bird species will use insects on cars in the future, as urban insect populations continue to decline, and thereby insects on cars will increasingly become more important sources of food for urban birds.

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY ON DIVERSITY OF AVIFAUNA IN KATWA, PURBA BURDWAN, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Birds are used as bio-indicator due to their sensitivity to minor environmental changes. A survey was done from July 2022 to February 2023 to study the avifaunal diversity of Katwa. A total of 67 bird species were recorded during the study period. The species were categorized in three namely common resident (CR), not common resident (NCR) and migratory (M) of which 40 are common resident, 24 are not common resident and 3 are migratory. The found common birds species were house crow, common myna, red vented bulbul, house sparrow, spotted dove, asian koel, little ringed plover etc. Among the not common resident avifauna were Long-legged Buzzard, Cotton teal, Pied-cuckoo, Grey Wagtail, yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail etc. and the three migratory birds were Common Pochard, Red-crested Pochard and Northern Pintail. Katwa and adjoining Ajay Baadh has wide variety of trees, wetland, grassland and agricultural land which is the major contributing factor for the rich avifaunal diversity found during the short study period. This is a preliminary effort for documentation of the avifauna, but more studies and suitable conservation strategies are required in the study area.

Multiple nest reuse by three passerine species

Nest reuse is often observed in large- and medium-sized birds, including hole-nesters, while in smaller passerines building open-cup nests it is rarely recorded. In this note we report a case of multiple nest reuse, observed in a residential garden in Poland. The nest was located on the wall of a farm building partly overgrown by Boston Ivy at the height of 2.3 m. The nest was occupied eight times between 2007 and 2023 by three bird species: Grey and Pied Wagtails and Common Blackbirds. The nest was built by Grey Wagtails in 2007, but in 2009 it was reconstructed considerably by blackbirds. The Blackbird cup with mud lining survived until 2023 and contained all other nests. We suggest that the most plausible reason for multiple nest reuse was the high quality of this nest site. However, we also found that the nest was used during warm, dry springs but avoided when weather conditions at the beginning of the breeding season were adverse. We hypothesize that cold and wet springs – thought to be associated with high costs of reproduction – may have influenced birds’ decision not to reuse the nest. To our knowledge, this is the longest case of nest reuse reported for passerines building open-cup nests.

Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscape

Solar photovoltaic power parks are a relatively new anthropogenic habitat that will become more widespread in the future. The greatest potential for solar photovoltaic power production is on arable land and grassland. Knowledge on the impacts of solar parks on biodiversity is scarce and spatially limited. We investigated the impact of ground-mounted solar parks on species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity and composition of bird communities in Slovakia (Central Europe), taking into account pre-construction land cover, elevation and landscape context. We recorded breeding, foraging or perching birds on 32 solar park plots and 32 adjacent control plots (two hectares each) during single breeding season. We found that solar parks supported higher total bird species richness and diversity, and richness and abundance of invertebrate-eaters, and that the abundance of ground-foragers was higher in solar parks developed on grassland than in grassland control plots. Ordination analysis showed that solar parks had a different composition of bird communities and thus increased overall species diversity and beta diversity in the agricultural landscapes studied. Plot type and landscape context accounted for most of the variation in bird community composition. Black redstart, European stonechat, white wagtail and Eurasian tree sparrow were identified as indicator species for solar parks. The observed pattern could be due to the higher structural diversity of solar parks. The solar parks studied were designed and managed exclusively for electricity production. It can therefore be assumed that solar parks designed and managed in synergy with a stronger focus on wildlife would have an even greater positive impact on bird diversity in an agricultural landscape.

Аналіз активності угрупувань птахів у міських парках: приклад з містом Дніпро (Україна)

The article presents the results of the analysis of bird communities’ activity in the parks of the right-bank part of Dnipro City during the breeding season of 2022–2023. It was established that 51 bird species consistently exhibit activity in the city parks. Among them, more than half (68.6 %) belong to the order Passeriformes. The analysis of the obtained data indicates that common species such as the house sparrow, chiffchaff, great tit, and white wagtail demonstrate the highest activity in all investigated parks and squares. The widespread presence of these species suggests their flexible use of spatial resources in urban parks, indicating their adaptability to anthropogenic environments. Applying the Rodgers–Shannon overlap index allowed determining the similarity degree of bird community parameters. The results indicate significant similarity among communities in several parks in the right-bank part of Dnipro, associated with their small area, proximity to residential buildings, and common tree crown pruning stages. The correlation between bird diversity and the size and characteristics of park territories was investigated. The correlation matrix revealed a clear positive relationship between park area and the number of bird species exhibiting activity. This is attributed to the greater environmental heterogeneity and the presence of resources for survival, which, in turn, enables representatives of different ecological complexes to realise their ecological and spatial niches. This is explained by the greater heterogeneity and the availability of resources for survival, facilitating the realisation of various ecological and spatial niches for different species. Some parks in the right-bank part of the city exemplify a clear connection between park area and bird species diversity. It was found that with an increase in park area by an average of 2.9556 hectares, the number of bird species increases by one. Additionally, a correlation was observed between the number of tree species in the territory and the bird communities’ biodiversity of the park or square, emphasising the importance of the plant cover for preserving and attracting bird diversity.

Introgression Underlies Phylogenetic Uncertainty But Not Parallel Plumage Evolution in a Recent Songbird Radiation.

Instances of parallel phenotypic evolution offer great opportunities to understand the evolutionary processes underlying phenotypic changes. However, confirming parallel phenotypic evolution and studying its causes requires a robust phylogenetic framework. One such example is the "black-and-white wagtails," a group of 5 species in the songbird genus Motacilla: 1 species, Motacilla alba, shows wide intra-specific plumage variation, while the 4r others form 2 pairs of very similar-looking species (M. aguimp + M. samveasnae and M. grandis + M. maderaspatensis, respectively). However, the 2 species in each of these pairs were not recovered as sisters in previous phylogenetic inferences. Their relationships varied depending on the markers used, suggesting that gene tree heterogeneity might have hampered accurate phylogenetic inference. Here, we use whole genome resequencing data to explore the phylogenetic relationships within this group, with a special emphasis on characterizing the extent of gene tree heterogeneity and its underlying causes. We first used multispecies coalescent methods to generate a "complete evidence" phylogenetic hypothesis based on genome-wide variants, while accounting for incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and introgression. We then investigated the variation in phylogenetic signal across the genome to quantify the extent of discordance across genomic regions and test its underlying causes. We found that wagtail genomes are mosaics of regions supporting variable genealogies, because of ILS and inter-specific introgression. The most common topology across the genome, supporting M. alba and M. aguimp as sister species, appears to be influenced by ancient introgression. Additionally, we inferred another ancient introgression event, between M. alba and M. grandis. By combining results from multiple analyses, we propose a phylogenetic network for the black-and-white wagtails that confirms that similar phenotypes evolved in non-sister lineages, supporting parallel plumage evolution. Furthermore, the inferred reticulations do not connect species with similar plumage coloration, suggesting that introgression does not underlie parallel plumage evolution in this group. Our results demonstrate the importance of investing genome-wide patterns of gene tree heterogeneity to help understand the mechanisms underlying phenotypic evolution. [Gene tree heterogeneity; incomplete lineage sorting; introgression; parallel evolution; phylogenomics; plumage evolution; wagtails.].

Urban Birds Using Insects on Front Panels of Cars

Urbanization influences the food availability and quality for birds in many ways. Although a great amount of food for birds is provided incidentally or intentionally in urban areas, the quantity of insect-based food can be reduced in cities. We studied the role of one artificial food source, insects smashed on the front panels of cars, in Finland, and more specifically in the city of Rovaniemi, by conducting questionnaire research, searching for data from databases and performing a field study. Our results indicated that a total of seven bird species have been detected using insects on the front panels of cars in Finland. However, this behavior is not yet common since about 60% of responders to the questionnaire stated that this behavior is currently either rare or very rare. Most of the observations identified House Sparrows, followed by the White Wagtail or the Eurasian Jackdaw. Only a few observations identified the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, the Hooded Crow, the Great Tit and the Eurasian Magpie. The phenomenon was distributed quite widely across Finland, except in the case of the Eurasian Jackdaws, for which observations were restricted only to the southern part of the country. The first observation was made about the House Sparrow in 1971, followed by the White Wagtail (1975), Hooded Crow (1997), Eurasian Jackdaw (2006), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (2011), Eurasian Magpie (2019) and Great Tit (2022). The species using this food source are mainly sedentary urban exploiters, such as corvids and sparrows, that have been previously reported to have several different types of innovative behaviors. Most of the observations were conducted in urban parking sites of hypermarkets, and no observations were made in residential areas. Most of the foraging observations were made during the end phase of the breeding season, partly supporting the extra need for high-quality insect-based food for nestlings and fledglings. Our observations indicate that this behavior is not yet common and widespread among species.

Assessment of Cholinesterase inhibition activity of birds inhabiting pesticide exposed croplands and protected area in hot semi-arid region of Pakistan.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity levels can be used as an indicator for AChE inhibition due to pesticide poisoning in bird species. We assessed the comparative brain cholinesterase (AChE) activity level of five bird species inhabiting pesticide exposed croplands and Protected Area i.e. Deva Vatala National Park (DVNP), Bhimber by using a spectrophotometric method. AChE activity levels ranged from 56.3 to 85.9 µmol/min/g of brain tissue of birds representing DVNP. However, AChE activity levels ranged from 27.6 to 79.9 µmol/min/g of brain tissue of birds representing croplands. AChE activity levels observed in Jungle babbler, Common babbler, and Red-vented bulbul showed significant differences (P < 0.05) at two sites. However, White wagtail and Black drongo demonstrated non-significant differences (P > 0.05). Maximum inhibition was recorded in Jungle babbler (53%) followed by Common babbler (35%), Red-vented bulbul (18%), White wagtail (15%), and Black drongo (7%). The brain cholinesterase inhibition levels under-protected ecosystems (DVNP, Bhimber) and agricultural landscape suggest insecticidal contamination and its impact on avifauna diversity. The study also emphasizes on the importance of pesticide-free zones to protect the biodiversity of birds.

ВЫСОТКА МГУ КАК МОДЕЛЬНЫЙ ОБЪЕКТ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ ОРНИТОФАУНЫ КРЫШ

It is proposed to use the 24th floor balcony (135-140 m from the ground) of the Main Building of Moscow State University as a model object for studying the roof avifauna of urban buildings. 5 bird species (~10% of all birds nesting in the vicinity of Moscow State University) were recorded there during their nesting period in 2021-22. These were Columba livia, Motacilla alba, and Phoenicurus ochruros. Falco peregrinus and occasionally Corvus corax nested above the 24th floor balcony. Erithacus rubecula and Motacilla flava periodically and occasionally fly onto the balcony during the warm season, and Parus major does it in winter. Caprimulgus europaeus was seen on the balcony during its autumn migration. Thus, there is a peculiar roof avifauna in multi-storey urban buildings, which is proposed to be included in ground counts of bird species.

Habitat factors influencing the breeding birds on animal farms: can modern agricultural infrastructure be good for birds?

In large parts of Europe biodiversity in agricultural landscapes has experienced strong declines over the past decades because of land-use change and intensification of cultivation methods, but more recently also due to modernization of villages. One of the aspects of modernization is the arising of large specialized poultry and pig farms. Our study carried out in central and east-central Poland focused on the role of habitats within 101 animal farms in relation to bird species richness and number of pairs. We also compared the density of some bird species on farms and in neighbouring villages to determine the importance of the farm environment for the birds. Species richness increased with the number of buildings, the number of trees and the presence of piles of rubble. The number of pairs increased with the number of trees, and the presence of ponds and piles of rubble. Many-times higher densities on farms than in surrounding villages of several species were noteworthy: Black Redstart, Northern Wheatear, White Wagtail and Crested Lark. Animal farms are an important refuge for several species, including those belonging to drastically declining farmland species. Despite the opinion that the modernization of the villages is having a disastrous effect on the avifauna, the modernization may also have positive aspects for some bird species.

Long-term impact on the breeding birds of a semi-offshore island-based wind farm in Åland, Northern Baltic Sea

Breeding bird populations were monitored at a wind farm in the Båtskär area of the southern Åland archipelago in 2006–2017. The area is situated in the outer archipelago and comprises four islands with six wind turbines in total. The wind turbines began operating in autumn 2007. An environmental impact assessment for the area was conducted in 2002. A control area called Stenarna, located 22 km NW of Båtskär, was used for comparison. The Båtskär area annually recorded 850–1,050 pairs of breeding birds. Four species showed significantly decreasing trends in Båtskär, namely the Common Eider Somateria mollissima, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus, Herring Gull L. argentatus , and Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle. In Stenarna, only the Common Eider significantly decreased over the same period. The Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea increased in both areas, while the Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator, Common Gull Larus canus, Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus, and White Wagtail Motacilla alba increased in Stenarna, the control area. The Herring Gull population decline is unlikely to be related to the wind farm. However, the proximity of a wind turbine to a breeding colony of the Lesser Black-backed Gull has most likely contributed to its decline. The reason for the Black Guillemot decline in Båtskär is unknown. The decline of Common Eider in both areas may be connected to increasing predation from White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla. Some species, such as the House Martin Delichon urbicum and auks, have benefitted from the wind farm construction. They can utilize new microhabitats created by the construction, while other species, such as the Common Eider, gain protection against predation because of human activities.

Quantification and characterisation of commensal wild birds and their interactions with domestic ducks on a free-range farm in southwest France

The role of commensal birds in the epidemiology of pathogens in poultry farms remains unclear. Our study aimed to identify potential key species for interactions with domestic ducks on one free-range duck farm in southwest France. Methods combined direct individual observations on duck outdoor foraging areas, network analysis, and general linear mixed models of abundances. Results showed a wide diversity of wild bird species visiting foraging areas, heavily dominated in frequency by White wagtails (Motacilla alba) and Sparrows (Passer domesticus and Passer montanus). These also were the only species seen entering duck premises or perching on drinkers in the presence of ducks. Moreover, White wagtails were the species most frequently observed on the ground and in close proximity to ducks. Network analysis suggested the role of White wagtails and Sparrows in linking ducks to other wild birds on the farm. The abundance of White wagtails was positively associated with open vegetation, with the presence of ducks and particularly in the afternoon, while the abundance of Sparrows was positively associated only with the fall-winter season. By precisely characterising interactions, the study was able to identify few wild bird species which should be prioritized in infectious investigations at the interface with poultry.

Multi-species settlement by secondary hollow-nesting passerine birds in a European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) colony

Abstract Simultaneous nesting of six species of secondary hollow-nesting passerine birds in abandoned European Bee-eater Merops apiaster nest-holes has been detected and described. The holes were occupied by Great Tit Parus major, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus and White Wagtail Motacilla alba, which formed a multi-species settlement in a European Bee-eater colony.

Sex and age‐class differences in feather mite loads in white wagtailsMotacilla alba lugenssuggest self‐regulation of feather mites by birds

In order to investigate the relationship between feather mites and their hosts taking into account host ecology I examined relationships among feather mite load, and sex, age, wing length and body‐condition in the white wagtailMotacilla alba lugens. I captured 288 wagtails in January (the first period) 2002 at a communal roost in Osaka, central Japan. All the wagtails were ringed individually, aged as yearlings (first‐winter) or adults (older) and sexed. I measured wing length, tarsus length and body mass, calculated a body condition index (BCI) and determined the feather mite loads (FML) of each individual by visual examination of the flight feathers of one wing, giving a score using the range 0–5. I recaptured 121 wagtails after an average of 45 days (the second period), and redetermined their FML. FML was not correlated with wing length or body‐condition. Yearlings had higher FML than adults in both periods. Males had greater FML than females in the second period. No significant differences in FML between the first and second periods were detected among yearling females, or adult males, but adult females had significantly lower FML and yearling males had significantly higher FML than the other age–sex classes in the second period. The sexual difference was caused by the lower FML of adult females and the higher FML of yearling males. The BCI of yearling males was the lowest among the four combinations of sex and age‐class. I conclude that wagtails may be able to prevent overpopulation of feather mites on their own plumage. The ability to control mite populations may be related to the condition of the host.

Godman‐Salvin Prize

Godman‐Salvin Prize

Motacilla alba

This datasheet on Motacilla alba covers Identity, Distribution.

Особенности фауны и летнего населения птиц Ашинского природного биологического заказника (Челябинская область)

Based on the results of ornithological research conducted in the Ashinsky State Biological Reserve during several nesting seasons during the period 1990–2021, a preliminary list of bird species was compiled. It includes 107 species, the vast majority of which nest or are expected to nest. To study the bird population, the main types of habitats in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the reserve were examined. The highest indicators of species diversity (42 species) and population density (568.0 ind./km²) were found in avian associations of dark coniferousdeciduous forests. The communities of upland meadows were found to be the most impoverished (16 species and 227.5 ind./km²). Based on these indices, avian associations of floodplain habitats of the Biyanka River occupied an intermediate position (34 species and 385.5 ind./km²).). In the communities of the forest biotopes of the reserve, the chaffinch, redwing, tree pipit, willow tit, white wagtail, garden warbler, common rosefinch and greenish warbler prevailed. In the associations of upland meadows, the skylark, tree pipit, whinchat and yellowhammer dominated. Almost half (43 %) of the nesting species were representatives of the European fauna; the proportions of species of the Euro-Chinese, Siberian and Nomadic types are 19, 15 and 10 %, respectively

Replacement of rectrices by wintering White Wagtails: an experiment to examine effects of sex, age, and body condition

Replacement of rectrices by wintering White Wagtails: an experiment to examine effects of sex, age, and body condition

Composition of nests constructed by species in the Motacillidae, Sylviidae and Prunellidae

Bird nests can be complex bio-engineered structures constructed from a range of materials to provide a site for incubation, and in many species chick rearing. Reports of the materials used in nest walls and cup linings are typically qualitative and do not assist in understanding the functional properties of the structure as a whole. This paper provides size and composition data for nests from four species of the Motacillidae family: the meadow pipit ( Anthus pratensis), pied wagtail ( Motacilla alba), grey wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea), and the yellow wagtail ( Motacilla flava), three species of the Sylviidae family: willow warbler ( Phylloscopus trochilus), Eurasian reed warbler ( Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Eurasian blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla), and the dunnock ( Prunella modularis) of the Prunellidae family. Three hypotheses were tested: do nest dimensions correlate with body mass? Is it possible to distinguish among species based on their nest composition; and for individual species? Is it possible to distinguish between the cup lining and outer nest wall based on the materials used in construction? Nest composition and size varied among species although the degree of intra-specific variation was different. Size of a nest was unrelated to average female adult body mass. Composition relied on similar types of materials but in differing quantities between species. It was possible to distinguish among species in terms of nest construction, and between the cup lining and the outer nest, on the basis of at least one of the component materials. By providing quantitative data on composition, it may be possible in the future to understand better the structural, insulative and hydrological properties of the nest. Such information will be invaluable as we begin to develop an understanding of the factors that have driven evolution of nest architecture.