Olivaceous Warbler Research Articles

Checklist of Hippoboscidae (Diptera) from Romania

The checklist of louse flies or keds from the family Hippoboscidae in Romania with 14 species is given. Among them, six species have been newly recorded from Romania, from Natura 2000 site “Dunele Marine de la Agigea” Natural Reserve; namely: Icosta minor (Bigot in Thomson, 1858), Ornithoica turdi (Olivier in Latreille, 1812), Ornithomya chloropus Bergroth, 1901, Ornithomya fringillina Curtis, 1836, Ornithophila gestroi (Rondani, 1878), and Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864). Out of the total, seven species are autochthonous, while the other seven are probably non-native species, either spreading invasively or only occasionally being imported to Romania or migrating to the country along with their hosts. Three new host-parasite associations have been reported for the first time. Specifically, the eastern olivaceous warbler Iduna pallida (Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833) represents new host species for I. minor and O. turdi, while the willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (Linnaeus, 1758) represents a new host species for O. gestroi.

Jericho (Palestine) Spring 2014 Ornithological and Parasitological Research Results

Abstract Work begun in autumn 2013 at a research ringing site near Jericho in the Jordan Valley (Palestine) was continued in spring 2014 (8 March–18 April). Due to a flood, the area was much changed in relation to the autumn habitat distribution. Standard ornithological and ringing work was performed using mist nets. The methods used were in accordance with SEEN (SE European Bird Migration Network) standards, and apart from ringing included some measurements (wing length, tail length, wing formula) and scores (fat determination and body mass), as well as testing of the directional preferences of migrants. The ornithological work was expanded to include parasitological testing, taking into account migrant-helminth relations during migration. Altogether 508 birds from 44 species were ringed and inspected for external signs of infection by Collyriclum faba trematodes (subcutaneous cysts), and an additional 32 dead individuals were collected and dissected. Altogether 168 internal parasites were found. The most common migrants in spring were Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida, while the autumn dominants–Masked and Red-backed shrikes (Lanius nubicus and L. collurio) were scarce. In spring a good number of Dead Sea Sparrows Passer moabiticus were caught, but only two introduced Indian Silverbills Lonchura malabarica.

Habitat Use and Body Mass Regulation among Warblers in the Sahel Region during the Non-Breeding Season.

Migratory birds face significant challenges across their annual cycle, including occupying an appropriate non-breeding home range with sufficient foraging resources. This can affect demographic processes such as over-winter survival, migration mortality and subsequent breeding success. In the Sahel region of Africa, where millions of migratory songbirds attempt to survive the winter, some species of insectivorous warblers occupy both wetland and dry-scrubland habitats, whereas other species are wetland or dry-scrubland specialists. In this study we examine evidence for strategic regulation of body reserves and competition-driven habitat selection, by comparing invertebrate prey activity-density, warbler body size and extent of fat and pectoral muscle deposits, in each habitat type during the non-breeding season. Invertebrate activity-density was substantially higher in wetland habitats than in dry-scrubland. Eurasian reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus occupying wetland habitats maintained lower body reserves than conspecifics occupying dry-scrub habitats, consistent with buffering of reserves against starvation in food-poor habitat. A similar, but smaller, difference in body reserves between wet and dry habitat was found among subalpine warblers Sylvia cantillans but not in chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita inhabiting dry-scrub and scrub fringing wetlands. Body reserves were relatively low among habitat specialist species; resident African reed warbler A. baeticatus and migratory sedge warbler A. schoenobaenus exclusively occupying wetland habitats, and Western olivaceous warblers Iduna opaca exclusively occupying dry habitats. These results suggest that specialists in preferred habitats and generalists occupying prey-rich habitats can reduce body reserves, whereas generalists occupying prey-poor habitats carry an increased level of body reserves as a strategic buffer against starvation.

Mites associated with passerine birds in eastern Iran

This study was carried out to identify mite species infesting passerine birds in eastern Iran. A total of 106 passerine birds from 37 species were captured and examined for mite infestation. Of the 106 birds examined, 35 birds (33.01%) were infested with mites. Fourteen mite species were removed from infested birds and identified as follows: Leptotrombidium (Ericotrombidium) limpidum Kudryashova, 1976, Harpyrhynchoides rubeculinus Cerny and Sixl, 1971, Neoschoengastia longitarsalis Schluger and Belskaj, 1966, Ptilonyssus pirangae Cerny, 1969, Ptilonyssus hirsti Castro and Pareira, 1947, Ptilonyssus icteridius Strandtmann and Furman, 1956, Proctophyllodes stylifer Buhholz, 1869, Proctophyllodes clavatus Fritsch, 1961, Proctophyllodes truncatus Robin, 1877, Proctophyllodes orientalis Gaud, 1953, Dolichodectes edwardsi Trouessart, 1885, Strelkoviacarus critesi Spory 1965, Dermanyssus brevis Ewing, 1936 and Ornithonyssus sylviarum Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877. In this study O. sylviarum, D. brevis, P. pirangae, P. hirsti, P. icteridius, H. rubeculinus, N. longitarsalis, D. edwardsi, P. stylifer, P. truncates and P. clavatus are new records of these mites for Iran. Proctophyllodes clavatus on Common Chiffchaff, D. edwardsi on Tree Sparrow and Olivaceous Warbler, S. critesi on Common Chiffchaff, House sparrow and Corn Bunting, P. pirangae on Common Greenfinch, H. rubeculinus on Common Nightingale and P. icteridius on Red-headed Bunting were recorded for the first time in the world.

Autumn body condition of Palaearctic trans-Saharan migrant passerines at an oasis in southeast Morocco

To improve knowledge of the different migratory strategies used by European trans-Saharan migrants to cross the Sahara Desert in autumn and the role of desert oases, we collected field data on body condition and stopover behaviour at Yasmina, a tiny oasis in southeast Morocco. Of 13 species studied, those best adapted to dry habitats, with breeding ranges mostly in the Mediterranean or North Africa and wintering in the Sahel (Saharan Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida reiseri, Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca, Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans and, perhaps, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes), arrived at Yasmina with, at best, moderate fuel loads but appeared to be the most prepared to refuel en route to their winter quarters; at least part of the population of the Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus seemed to follow a similar strategy. Strategies were more diverse among species linked more to mesophilic vegetation; Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Garden Warbler Sylvia borin and Blackcap S. atricapilla tended to arrive with enough fuel reserves to reach the Sahel without additional fattening, but Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata and Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca carried only intermediate fuel loads, which were in most cases insufficient to avoid further refuelling. Although feeding en route may play an intrinsic part of the migratory strategy of the Spotted Flycatcher it remains unclear whether or not this is the case in the other two species.

Migratory Birds: Ecology and Conservation. A report on the BOU’s Annual Conference held at the University of Leicester, 5–7 April 2011

In April 2011, the British Ornithologist’s Union’s annual conference took place at the University of Leicester. The theme of this year’s conference was the ecology and conservation of migratory birds, and talks ranged from those focussed on either breeding, migration or wintering ecology, to those linking two or more of these and trying to build a more complete picture of the complex problems faced by long distance migrants. Talks also covered recent technological advances, which are increasingly allowing us intriguing new insights, particularly into the seasonal movements and wintering areas of some of the most declining species. Finally, talks examined the policy challenges associated with protecting migratory species and how best to tackle flyway-scale conservation of migratory birds.

Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: seventh report

Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: seventh report

Aspects of breeding ecology of the eastern olivaceous warbler (Hippolais pallida)

The breeding ecology of eastern olivaceous warblers Hippolais pallida is poorly known. In this study, we provide data on nest site selection and breeding parameters of the species in a population in northwestern Bulgaria, the only one known to be regularly and heavily parasitized by the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus (hereafter cuckoo). Eastern olivaceous warblers only bred within human settlements of the study area, avoiding seemingly suitable habitat outside them. Nests were built in a wide range of plant taxa but ailanthuses Ailanthus altissima and mulberries Morus spp. were most frequently used (21%). After taking into account the availability of vegetation, there was an apparent preference for several plant taxa but not for mulberries. Mean nest height was 1.65 ± 0.98 (0.53-7.60) m, n = 217, and it varied signifi- cantly among different types of nesting substrate. Laying date and clutch size of first breeding attempts averaged 10 June ± 0.98 days, n = 101 and 3.9 ± 0.07 (2-5) eggs, n = 72, respectively. Hatching success, fledging success, and breeding success were 42.5, 86.4, and 36.7%, respec- tively. The main sources of nest mortality were predation and cuckoo parasitism, with no significant difference in the proportion of nests lost to each. Cuckoo parasitism seemed responsible for the relatively low hatching success in this population.

First evidence of regular common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, parasitism on eastern olivaceous warblers, Hippolais pallida elaeica

Coevolution is defined as specialized relationships between species that lead to a reciprocal evolutionary change. A particularly suitable model system for studying coevolution is the interactions between obligate avian brood parasites and their hosts. The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, hereafter cuckoo) is a well-known brood parasite, which utilizes a range of smaller passerines as hosts. However, warblers of the genus Hippolais have rarely been reported as being victims of cuckoos, and furthermore, few data exist on the occurrence of antiparasite defenses in these hosts. In this study, we examined possible host-parasite coevolution between cuckoos and eastern olivaceous warblers (Hippolais pallida elaeica, hereafter olivaceous warblers) in three closely situated areas in northwestern Bulgaria. The olivaceous warbler has never been reported to be a regular cuckoo host. However, the present study, carried out in 2001-2003 shows that the olivaceous warbler is regularly and heavily parasitized by the cuckoo in this area. Parasitism rate was high (26.6%, 34/128) and consistent among years, with some variation between areas. The cuckoo egg mimicry was moderately good, and olivaceous warbler rejection rate of such eggs was 50%. Cuckoo eggs laid in olivaceous warbler nests had a whitish to whitish-green ground color, and the majority appeared to be distinctly different from cuckoo eggs found in other host species in the area. The olivaceous warbler proved to be a rather good host for cuckoos as 20.6% (7/34) of cuckoo eggs laid produced fledglings, a breeding success comparable to other suitable hosts in Europe. This is the first in-depth study of brood parasitism in a warbler of the genus Hippolais, and cuckoos parasitizing olivaceous warblers probably represent a previously unknown gens.

Phenology of Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida reiseri on stopover sites in Mauritania

Due to the problems of identifying the recently‐split Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler H pallida reiseri in the field, the migration phenology, passage routes and wintering areas of the two species remain unknown. Both species were mist‐netted regularly during autumn and spring migration on Mauritania and the migration phenology of the species in the western Sahara is described here for the first time. Autumn migration of Western Olivaceous Warblers through central Mauritania lasts from early August to early October. Passage at the coast started later and occurred during a shorter time period. The species does not seem to winter in central Mauritania. During spring migration, Western Olivaceous Warblers occurred from early March to early May. No birds were mist‐netted in spring at the coast although some were present. The Eastern Olivaceous Warblerwas mist‐netted at the inland sites only. Only a few birds were mist‐netted on autumn migration, which was between late August and early October. The species does not seem to winter in central Mauritania. During spring migration, Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were mist‐netted from mid March until early May. There were no indications that the species breeds in central Mauritania.

Sjeldne fugler i Norge i 2004 - Rapport fra Norsk sjeldenhetskomité for fugl (NSKF)

This is the 29th annual report and the 30th announcement from the Norwegian Rarities Committee (NSKF). The majority of records treated here are from 2004, but some older records are also included. Norway follows taxonomic advises given by the Taxonomic Advisory Committee (TAC) in the Association of European Rarity Committees (AERC). The systematic list of accepted records is set out in the following system: (1) The birds Norwegian name, (2) scientific name, (3) the numbers in brackets, e.g. (30/32 - 1), refers respectively to the total number of records/total number of individuals up to and including 2003, and in 2004, (4) any limitations given of (3), (5) any breeding, (6) year, (7) county, (8) number of individuals, age (1K = first calendar year etc.), sex (if known) and sometimes circumstances («rm» means that the bird was ringed), (9) site and municipality, (10) date, (11) * indicates if the record was complemented by positive evidence, and type of the evidence (F = photo, V = video-recorded, L = tape-recorded, D = found dead), (12) observers names in brackets, main observer is specified first and emphasized with *, (13) roughly gives the species distribution and (14) comments concerning the records.General trends:2004 was one of the best years in the history of NSKF, With 223 accepted records. 76 accepted records from previous years help to complete the Norwegian Bird list. There are 22 records presented that have been shelved. Half of these are concerning first year «Eastern Yellow Wagtails». This is due to the lack of identification knowledge in the literature for such birds. Also presented are 47 records that for some reason have not been accepted. The records from 2004 shows few extraordinary trends, maybe except for a smaller influx of Sabine’s Gulls (16 records). It was the second best year for Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis (10 records) and the best year for Bee-eater Merops apiaster (7 records) and Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans (4 records). Other records of interest are Norway’s fourth Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, sixth Gull-billed Tern Sterna niloctia, fifth Pallid Swift Apus pallidus, second White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera and second Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis. Five records of White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and two records of Whites Thrush Zootera dauma are also more than normal.New species to the Norwegian list:There are a total of five new species to the Norwegian category A list presented in this report, all from 2004. This brings the official Norwegian Bird list to 471 species. Included in this list are accepted records in category A-C. The new species are Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii, Bridled Tern Sterna anaetheus, Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida and Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris.

A new race of Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida in Somalia

IbisVolume 147, Issue 4 p. 841-843 A new race of Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida in Somalia JOHN S. ASH, JOHN S. ASH Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants. SP6 2LR, UKSearch for more papers by this authorDAVID J. PEARSON, Corresponding Author DAVID J. PEARSON Lupin Close, Reydon, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6NW, UK *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorSTAFFAN BENSCH, STAFFAN BENSCH Department of Animal Ecology, Ecology Building, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, SwedenSearch for more papers by this author JOHN S. ASH, JOHN S. ASH Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants. SP6 2LR, UKSearch for more papers by this authorDAVID J. PEARSON, Corresponding Author DAVID J. PEARSON Lupin Close, Reydon, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6NW, UK *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorSTAFFAN BENSCH, STAFFAN BENSCH Department of Animal Ecology, Ecology Building, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, SwedenSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 August 2005 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919x.2005.00465.xCitations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume147, Issue4October 2005Pages 841-843 RelatedInformation

Differentiation and phylogeny of the olivaceous warbler Hippolais pallida species complex

The pattern of phenotypic and molecular variation within the polytypic olivaceous warbler H. pallida was examined. This species is distributed in the southern parts of the western Palaearctic, central Asia and in the arid parts of northern Africa, and also in parts of the sub-Saharan Sahel zone. Based on morphology, five subspecies, at times assigned to three groups, have been identified. By comparing morphological, behavioural, vocal and molecular variation, we investigated the phenotypic and phylogenetic relationships within the Hippolais pallida group. The morphological and genetic data of the present study support the view of splitting the olivaceous warbler into a western (former subspecies opaca) and an eastern form (former subspecies elaeica, pallida, reiseri and laeneni). Opaca is consistently and significantly larger than the other taxa in all size measurements, even if it does share morphological properties with elaeica in characters associated with migration. The song of the polytypic pallida differs clearly from that of opaca, and is remarkably consistent within its wide range which comprises four subspecies. The molecular analysis, and the resulting phylogenetic pattern, clearly separated opaca on a single branch distant from the other subspecies. The eastern form consists of two non-overlapping haplotype groups: elaeica with relatively diverse mtDNA variation, and the three African subspecies pallida, reiseri and laeneni, which all share the same or closely related mtDNA haplotypes. It remains open whether the African taxa should be regarded as three valid subspecies of the Eastern olivaceous warbler, or if they are better treated as a single African subspecies.

Wing moult of Eastern Olivaceous Warblers Hippolais pallida reiseri at stopover sites at the southern fringe of the Sahara

Recent research on the systematics of the genus Hippolais led to the proposal to split Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida into Western Olivaceous Warbler H opaca and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler H pallida with the subspecies pallida, elaeica, laeneni and reiseri. Here, we present data on postnuptial primary moult in relation to age, for H p reiseri from five sites in southern and central Mauritania in late summer and autumn, 2003. Adult birds showed either interrupted primary moult or had not yet started to moult their primaries. First year birds were either not moulting in September or were actively moulting primaries in October. We suggest that some adult birds start primary moult on the breeding grounds and interrupt moult for migration. On the wintering grounds, adult birds either resume interrupted primary moult or moult their primaries completely. First year birds do not start primary moult on the breeding grounds but moult their primaries completely on stopover sites at the southern fringe of the Sahara prior to further southward migration. We discuss possible problems with this hypothesis and conclude that further research is needed to verify some of its assumptions.

British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee: 31st Report (October 2004)

British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee: 31st Report (October 2004)

Smaller Eastern Olivaceous WarblerHippolais pallida elaeicaNests Suffer Less Predation than Larger Ones

Abstract. The “costs of predation” hypothesis predicts that larger nests are more likely to be predated than smaller ones. However, nest size has not been found to be related to predation probability within any species. This study evaluated the “costs of predation” hypothesis in the Olivaceous Warbler during 2001–2003 in northwestern Bulgaria. Successful nests were significantly smaller and denser than those that were predated. Nest size decreased significantly during the course of the breeding season and increased with nest height. The relationship between nest size and the likelihood of predation was still significant even when the effects of laying date and nest height were controlled. Nest size was negatively related to fledging success even when only successful nests were considered. This finding is contrary to the prediction of the “sexual display” hypothesis, which states that nest size is positively related to fledging success, and suggests that nest size may signal phenotypic quality through the ...

Bleksanger Hippolais pallida – ny for Norges fauna

Norway’s first Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida was recorded on 12th September 2004. An adult of this species was caught in a mist-net at Titran in the island municipality of Frøya, off the coast of Sør-Trøndelag county in Central Norway. Hippolais pallida was previously on the list of birds recorded in Norway, but due to uncertainty about the identification of grey species of Hippolais, the record was changed in 1994 to that of unidentified H. rama/H. pallida. The Titran bird was of the eastern race H. p. elaeica, which occurs regularly in south-eastern Europe and central Asia. It does not breed west of Slovakia, and winters in East Africa, north of Lake Victoria, and on the Arabian Peninsula. Only a few countries in central and northern Europe have records of the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. The majority of these are from Britain, but it has also been observed in Ireland, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, and now in Norway. Though several south-eastern European countries have reported a decrease in their populations, Greece and Turkey still hold populations of 100 000-150 000 and 500 000-5 million breeding pairs respectively. It is therefore natural to assume a large number of records in northern and western Europe resulting from prolonged spring migration or reversed autumn migration. However, the Alps and the Carpathians seem to make an effective barrier, and in Germany only three records have been reported from 1883-2000. Despite the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler breeding in Austria’s neighbouring countries of Slovakia and Hungary, there is only one confirmed record in Austria itself. Britain had 11 records up to 2003, while Ireland had 4 up to 1999. In the Nordic countries a total of eight records have been reported. The two latest records, from autumn 2004, in Norway and Sweden respectively, have not yet been treated by their countries’ rarities committees. However, they were both convincingly documented. The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a pale and insignificant warbler with few distinct characters. It is easily confused with other Hippolais species like H. rama, H. opaca and H. caligata. It can even be confused with H. languida and Acrocephalus dumetorum. As shown in the photos, P1 was about 4- 5 mm longer than the secondaries of the Titran bird. The tail was relatively narrow and straight with long outer tail feathers. The edge of the wing was also straight, excluding Acrocephalus dumetorum, and the shape of the bill excluded H. opaca. The bird’s plumage was without olive green, resulting in a rather light grey impression, also from above. A general identification of the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is discussed further in comparison with the possible confusion species mentioned above.

Site fidelity and recurrence of some migrant bird species in The Gambia

Regular ringing was carried out over most of five winters at Ginak in The Gambia. We analyse retrap data from 12 species of migrant birds to examine whether they remain for more than one day within a winter, and whether they return to the study area in subsequent winters. We investigate both the rate of recurrence (between‐winter retraps within the whole area, approximately 1,000m across) and site fidelity (tendency to be retrapped within 100m of first capture). Some adjustment of recurrence for annual survival is attempted. For individuals trapped at least twice over a winter, we tabulate the interval between first and last capture: in all 12 species this was over six weeks for some individuals; furthermore, site fidelity within a winter is demonstrated in most species retrapped in reasonable numbers, exceptions were Garden Warbler Sylvia borin and Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla. Most species recurred at appreciable rates in successive seasons, and in three species with a sufficient sample size, Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, Whitethroat Sylvia communis, and less certainly Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida, the evidence was of site fidelity between winters. We compare recurrence rates with data collected at Djoudj in north Senegal.

Abundance of Olivaceous Warblers Hippolais pallida and potential invertebrate prey in unmanaged Acacia woodland

Abundance of Olivaceous Warblers Hippolais pallida and potential invertebrate prey in unmanaged Acacia woodland

Moult of some Palaearctic warblers in northern Nigeria

The moult of several Palaearctic warblers was investigated near Kano, northern Nigeria. In the Sedge Warbler the main period of active primary moult was from October to December, but some birds suspended primary moult between December and February and a few were still moulting in April. A number of Subalpine Warblers were in primary moult in January and February; this appears to be the first report of primary moult of this species in Africa. Melodious Warblers moulted in September-October, probably rather rapidly and before moving to the main wintering area further south. Small numbers of moulting birds were observed in Savi's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Olivaceous Warbler and Bonelli's Warbler.