Ceryle Research Articles

Non-Destructive Detection of Tea Polyphenols in Fu Brick Tea Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Improved PKO-SVR Method

Tea polyphenols (TPs) are a critical indicator for evaluating the quality of tea leaves and are esteemed for their beneficial effects. The non-destructive detection of this component is essential for enhancing precise control in tea production and improving product quality. This study developed an enhanced PKO-SVR (support vector regression based on the Pied Kingfisher Optimization Algorithm) model for rapidly and accurately detecting tea polyphenol content in Fu brick tea using hyperspectral reflectance data. During this experiment, chemical analysis determined the tea polyphenol content, while hyperspectral imaging captured the spectral data. Data preprocessing techniques were applied to reduce noise interference and improve the prediction model. Additionally, several other models, including K-nearest neighbor (KNN) regression, neural network regression (BP), support vector regression based on the sparrow algorithm (SSA-SVR), and support vector regression based on particle swarm optimization (PSO-SVR), were established for comparison. The experiment results demonstrated that the improved PKO-SVR model excelled in predicting the polyphenol content of Fu brick tea (R2 = 0.9152, RMSE = 0.5876, RPD = 3.4345 for the test set) and also exhibited a faster convergence rate. Therefore, the hyperspectral data combined with the PKO-SVR algorithm presented in this study proved effective for evaluating Fu brick tea’s polyphenol content.

Investigation of Micro-Scale Damage and Weakening Mechanisms in Rocks Induced by Microwave Radiation and Their Associated Strength Reduction Patterns: Employing Meta-Heuristic Optimization Algorithms and Extreme Gradient Boosting Models

Microwave-assisted mechanical rock breaking represents an innovative technology in the realm of mining excavation. The intricate and variable characteristics of geological formations necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between microwave-induced rock damage and the subsequent deterioration in rock strength. This study conducted microwave irradiation damage assessments on 78 distinct rock samples, encompassing granite, sandstone, and marble. A total of ten critical parameters were identified: Microwave Irradiation Time (MIT), Microwave Irradiation Power (MIP), Longitudinal Wave Velocity prior to Microwave Treatment (LWVB), Longitudinal Wave Velocity post-Microwave Treatment (LWVA), Percentage Decrease in Longitudinal Wave Velocity (LWVP), Porosity before Microwave Treatment (PB), Porosity after Microwave Treatment (PA), Percentage Increase in Porosity (PP), and Uniaxial Compressive Strength following Microwave Treatment (UCSA). Utilizing the Pied Kingfisher Optimizer (PKO) alongside Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), we developed a PKO-XGBoost machine learning model to elucidate the relationship between UCSA and the nine additional parameters. This model was benchmarked against other prevalent machine learning frameworks, with Shapley additive explanatory methods employed to assess each parameter’s influence on UCSA. The findings reveal that the PKO-XGBoost model provides superior accuracy in delineating relationships among rock physical properties, microwave irradiation variables, microscopic attributes of rocks, and UCSA. Notably, PA emerged as having the most significant effect on UCSA, indicating that microwave-induced microscopic damage is a primary contributor to reductions in rock strength. Additionally, MR exhibited substantial influence; under identical microwave irradiation conditions, rocks with lower density demonstrated greater susceptibility to strength degradation. Furthermore, during microwave-assisted rock breaking operations, it is imperative to establish optimal MIT and MIP values to effectively diminish UCSA while facilitating mechanical cutting processes. The insights derived from this research offer a more rapid, cost-efficient approach for accurately assessing correlations between microwave irradiation parameters and resultant rock damage—providing essential data support for enhancing mechanical rock-breaking efficiency.

Noise pollution does not significantly affect distributions of red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus and pied king-fisher Ceryle rudis in a riverine ecosystem

Noise pollution does not significantly affect distributions of red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus and pied king-fisher Ceryle rudis in a riverine ecosystem

Long-term anthropogenic stressors cause declines in kingfisher assemblages in wetlands in southwestern India

Fragile wetland habitats are susceptible to multiple threats from anthropogenic activities. Direct waste deposition, habitat modification and overexploitation of fish have caused alternations in food webs in wetlands. Kingfishers are ecological indicators with the potential ability to respond to the minute changes in their microenvironment. Their abundance and distribution at wetland habitats are affected by multiple environmental factors. We studied the kingfisher assemblages in India to determine proximate and ultimate causes of their decline. We recorded the abundance of five species of kingfishers across five wetland habitats from 2011 to 2020 in Kerala, southwest coast of India. Kingfishers were counted twice in a month between 6.00 and 12.00 hrs. Air temperature, water temperature, humidity and turbidity were recorded. We measured fish diversity and abundance and organic waste as an additional explanatory variable. One-way ANOVA, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model and structural equation modelling were used to determine which explanatory variables affected kingfisher populations. Air temperature, water temperature and turbidity increased significantly during the study and had negative effects on the abundance of kingfishers. Humidity decreased significantly but had no effect on the kingfisher abundance. Fish abundance declined and had a strong positive effect on the abundance of kingfishers. The analysis of incidence of wastes across the study areas revealed that, all the sites were severely polluted. We also observed drastic decline in the abundance of all the species of kingfishers studied across the sites with a rapid decline in Pied Kingfisher and slower decline in White-throated Kingfisher. Black-capped Kingfisher is a local migrant to the study areas and is already red listed and categorized as Vulnerable (VU). This study suggests that kingfisher assemblages are declining along with the health status of the habitat. Urgent action is needed to help in designing and implementing effective management strategies for the sustainability of wetlands in the region.

Conservation prioritization through combined approach of umbrella species selection, occupancy estimation, habitat suitability and connectivity analysis of kingfisher: A study from an internationally important wetland complex (Ramsar site) in India

Assessment of occupancy status, as well as projection of suitable habitats and connectivity of wetland indicator species, and thereby identification of potential conservation umbrella and projection of conservation priority areas are often considered important for wetland conservation. Kingfishers are wetland indicators and suffer from habitat degradation due to world-wide destruction of wetlands. Therefore, they can be considered potential candidates for conservation intervention. The present knowledge about the spatial distribution of suitable areas and habitat connectivity of kingfishers at a landscape level is non-existent. We conducted extensive surveys and recorded four kingfisher species in East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW; Ramsar site No. 1208; ∼125 km2). The occupancy estimates were highest for White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis, WTK), followed by common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis, CK), stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis, SBK) and lowest for pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis, PK). WTK has the highest amount of suitable areas followed by CK, PK and SBK. The spatial overlap of suitable habitats showed that SBK is the potential umbrella species and therefore provides conservation benefits to other kingfisher species and eventually to the EKW. In addition to water areas, emergent vegetation, crop lands and tree cover are other important habitats for kingfishers. The connectivity analyses revealed that suitable habitats were disjunct and are under various anthropogenic threats. Therefore, we need to protect suitable habitats and connectivity between them. Finally, we identified conservation priority areas. Conservation intervention on these high priority zones will not only be beneficial for kingfishers, but also for other avifauna having similar resource requirements as well as the wetland parse.

Hunting Behavior and Feeding Success of Three Sympatric Kingfishers’ Species in Two Adjacent Wetlands in Southwestern India

We studied the foraging patterns of three kingfishers’ species, White Throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Small Blue Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and Lesser Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis); hereafter stated as WTK, SBK, LPK respectively; from December 2015 to September 2016. This work was carried out in the two wetlands located at Mavoor (N 11° 15′ 73.3″ and E 75° 55′ 94.4″) and Vazhakkad (N 11° 14′ 66.0″ and E 75° 56′ 81.2″), Kerala in southwestern India. We examined the association of foraging behavior and hunting technique with study sites, seasons and kingfishers’ species, and we investigated the variation of feeding success rate over species, sites, seasons, distance-to-water and used hunting technique. The feeding behavior of the three species dominated in both the sites, while resting and flying behaviors were observed more in Mavoor. All species spent more time in feeding than at rest or in flight with LPK and WTK being the most and the least active species respectively. During breeding and post-migration seasons kingfishers increased feeding behavior at the expense of resting and flying behaviors. The LPK mainly hunted using hover-plunge while the two other species, particularly WTK, adopted more the perch-plunge technique. The feeding success rate varied significantly between kingfishers species: highest in WTK and lowest in LPK.

Biodiversity and habitat use of wintering and breeding waterbirds in Burullus Lake (Ramsar site), Egypt

The present study seeks to assess the bird biodiversity at the Important Bird Area (IBA) and Ramsar site,Lake Burullus, northern Egypt. Waterbirds biodiversity was assessed at 14 selected sites in the lake duringwinter and spring seasons. The assessment included richness, composition, evenness, abundance, andSimpson and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices. Bird species diversity varied spatially and temporallyamong different sites during the study period. Estimated species richness was 49 species. Winter birdswere mainly migratory waterbirds like waterfowl, distributed in the islets for foraging, which was the mainactivity of 51% of total birds, followed by 36% roosting and 13% breeding at the lake. Evidence ofbreeding was recorded, such as collecting nest material, courtship behavior and food collecting forjuveniles. The hierarchical cluster analysis separated the lake sites into four distinctive habitats: lakeshores, open water, islets and reed beds. Seven bird species showed significant affinities with differenthabitat types: Laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) favored the lake shores habitat (P< 0.04); Littlebittern (Ixobrychus minutus) (P< 0.04), Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) (P< 0.04), Common kingfisher(Alcedo atthis) (P< 0.02), Pied wagtail (Motacilla alba) (P< 0.04), and Graceful prinina (Prinia gracilis)(P< 0.01) were found in islands habitat. Little egret (Egretta garzetta) dominated the reed beds habitatgroup (P< 0.03). The results reflected the importance of Burullus Lake as a wintering and breeding habitatfor birds and suggested that more implemented conservation and management strategies should beadopted.

Biodiversity and habitat use of wintering and breeding waterbirds in Burullus Lake (Ramsar site), Egypt

The present study seeks to assess the bird biodiversity at the Important Bird Area (IBA) and Ramsar site,Lake Burullus, northern Egypt. Waterbirds biodiversity was assessed at 14 selected sites in the lake duringwinter and spring seasons. The assessment included richness, composition, evenness, abundance, andSimpson and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices. Bird species diversity varied spatially and temporallyamong different sites during the study period. Estimated species richness was 49 species. Winter birdswere mainly migratory waterbirds like waterfowl, distributed in the islets for foraging, which was the mainactivity of 51% of total birds, followed by 36% roosting and 13% breeding at the lake. Evidence ofbreeding was recorded, such as collecting nest material, courtship behavior and food collecting forjuveniles. The hierarchical cluster analysis separated the lake sites into four distinctive habitats: lakeshores, open water, islets and reed beds. Seven bird species showed significant affinities with differenthabitat types: Laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) favored the lake shores habitat (P< 0.04); Littlebittern (Ixobrychus minutus) (P< 0.04), Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) (P< 0.04), Common kingfisher(Alcedo atthis) (P< 0.02), Pied wagtail (Motacilla alba) (P< 0.04), and Graceful prinina (Prinia gracilis)(P< 0.01) were found in islands habitat. Little egret (Egretta garzetta) dominated the reed beds habitatgroup (P< 0.03). The results reflected the importance of Burullus Lake as a wintering and breeding habitatfor birds and suggested that more implemented conservation and management strategies should beadopted.

Abundance and prey capture success of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) and Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) in relation to water clarity in south-east coastal Ghana

BackgroundWater clarity may negatively influence rate of plunge diving and prey capture success of piscivorous plunge-diving birds, and therefore has implications for their conservation in polluted urban wetlands. We studied the relationship between water clarity and the abundance and prey capture success of Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) in two polluted coastal waters of south-east Ghana—the Weija Lake and Densu Delta Ramsar Site.MethodsOn each wetland, data on abundance and prey capture success of plunge-divers were collected in four spatio-temporal quadrats of 100 m × 100 m and analysed with concurrent measurements of water quality parameters using GLM regression with Pearson’s correlation coefficients.ResultsMean prey capture success of Pied Kingfishers (34.7 ± 13.1%) and Common Terns (35.3 ± 11.0%) were similar but the two species responded differently to water clarity. The abundance of Common Terns was significantly higher in less transparent/more turbid water while that of Pied Kingfishers showed no significant relationship with turbidity and transparency. In contrast, the prey capture success of Common Terns was neither related to transparency nor turbidity, as opposed to that of Pied Kingfishers which was significantly higher in more turbid/less transparent waters. Correlations between capture success and bird abundance, as well as capture attempts were insignificant, suggesting that increased fish abundance associated with cloudy water may not necessarily promote higher abundance and capture success of foraging birds. Thus, when foraging in less transparent water, capture success may depend more on predator avoidance by fish prey than lower prey detectability of foraging birds.ConclusionWithin a gradient of 15–51 cm transparency studied, lower water clarity did not constrain prey capture success of Common Terns and Pied Kingfishers. Further studies on the foraging ecology of plunge-divers in coastal Ghana are however required to make firm conclusions on the relationship between water clarity and foraging birds and fish prey abundances, as well as capture success.

Two mitochondrial genomes in Alcedinidae (Ceryle rudis/Halcyon pileata) and the phylogenetic placement of Coraciiformes.

Coraciiformes comprises 209 species belonging to ten families with significant divergence on external morphologies and life styles. The phylogenetic placement of Coraciiformes was still in debate. Here, we determined the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Crested Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata). The mitogenomes were 17,355bp (C. rudis) and 17,612bp (H. pileata) in length, and both of them contained 37 genes (two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 13 protein-coding genes) and one control region. The gene organizations and characters of two mitogenomes were similar with those of other mitogenomes in Coraciiformes, however the sizes and nucleotide composition of control regions in different mitogenomes were significantly different. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with both Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods based on mitogenome sequences from 11 families of six orders. The trees based on two different data sets supported the basal position of Psittacidae (Psittaciformes), the closest relationship between Cuculiformes (Cuculidae) and Trogoniformes (Trogonidae), and the close relationship between Coraciiformes and Piciformes. The phylogenetic placement of the clade including Cuculiformes and Trogoniformes has not been resolved in present study, which need further investigations with more molecular markers and species. The mitogenome sequences presented here provided valuable data for further taxonomic studies on Coraciiformes and other related groups.

Anatomical and Morphometric Study of the Trachea in Pied Kingfisher Birds ( Ceryle rudis ).

The present study include eleven of the Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) birds from both sex, the weight and length of body were (98 ± 6.901gm), (32 ± 0.524 cm) respectively. The trachea characterized by a long flexible tube (6.34 ± 0.26 cm) in length and this refer to (49.403%) from the ratio length of respiratory system. It was mostly extend along the right side of the neck ventral to the esophagus and then enter the coelomic cavity. The trachea extend rostrally from the caudal end of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx into the connection between the trachea and syrinx (First tracheosyringeal cartilage ) caudally.The weight of trachea was (0.152 ± 0.018 gm) and this refer to (9.331%) from the weight of respiratory system. The cartilage rings which forming the trachea was oval in shaped and form the basic unit structure of the trachea. The total number of tracheal cartilage rings was (64.2 ± 1.2) and the diameter of the cartilage rings unequal and show a gradual decrease of its connection of the larynx into the syrinx and the mean of perimeter of the trachea connection with larynx was (43.252 ± 1.911 mm), while the connection with syrinx was (22.915 ± 1.152 mm). It can be see two skeletal muscles connected with trachea were trachiolateralis and sternotrachealis muscles.

Habitat Analysis of Stork-Billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) and Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) at the Chittagong University Campus, Bangladesh

The habitat analysis of stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis Linnaeus, 1766) and pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis Linnaeus, 1758) was done at the Chittagong University Campus, Chittagong, Bangladesh during January 2011 to December 2013. The both kingfisher species used five types of habitat (pond, lake, stream, agricultural land/channel and tree), of which trees were used maximum (43.23%) and agricultural lands/channels were minimum (3.76%) by stork-billed kingfisher; whereas pied kingfisher spent the highest time (40.66%) in the streams and the lowest (11.67%) in the agricultural lands/channels. Four types of perching places (fence, wire, bamboo and tree) were used by both kingfisher species, of which trees were used maximum (68.89%) and wires minimum (2.78%) by stork-billed kingfisher; while pied kingfisher spent the highest (53.43%) time on fences and the lowest (4.78%) on wires.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 251-268, 2015

A checklist of avifauna from Malgaon-Bagayat and Malvan towns of Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India

The present work was carried out in Malgaon-Bagayat (16009’04.35”N &amp; 73033’04.7”E) and Malvan Taluka (16005’00”N &amp; 73030’00”E) of Sindhudurg District. The paper represents the first document on birds as there are no published records from Sindhudurg District. The study was conducted for a period of two years to explore the avifauna as no records have been published yet from this area. A total of 101 species of birds belonging to 17 orders and 45 families and were recorded in the study areas inhabiting different types of habitats. The Order Passeriformes contributed the maximum species (44.9%) followed by Pelecaniformes (9.2%), Charadriiformes (8.2%) and Accipitriformes (6.1%). The species such as the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Common Hoopoe, and Pied Kingfisher were observed only once in the study area. The common occurrence of the Near Threatened Malabar Pied Hornbill in Bagayat signifies the ornithological importance of this site. Long-term studies on distribution and abundance are required to prepare a conservation plan for avifauna in Sindhudurg District. The data generated can be considered as baseline data for future conservation and management of existing species.

Wild Birds as Bioindicator For Heavy Metals Pollution in Lake Quaron Protected Area (Ramsar Site), Fayoum, Egypt

Aquatic organisms absorb the pollutants directly from water and indirectly from food chains. Heavy metals levels were determined in different organs of the wild birds (Anas crecca, Fulica atra, Larus genii, Egretta garzetta and Ceryle rudis) by using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. The samples collected from Lake Quaron which suffers from a serious pollution problems. The results revealed that heavy metal levels in Larus genii , Anas crecca and Egretta garzetta found to have their highest concentration in liver while Fulica atra and Ceryle rudis were in feather. The lowest heavy metals concentration found in all birds in muscles. The evaluated wild birds considers as an important bioindicator for the degree of pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Activity patterns of pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) at the Chittagong university campus, Bangladesh

The activity patterns of pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis Linnaeus, 1758) and stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis Linnaeus, 1766) were studied in the Chittagong University Campus, Chittagong, Bangladesh, during January 2011 to December 2013. Eight activities (resting/perching, bathing, flying, feeding, calling, preening, hovering and diving) were observed in this study, of which pied kingfisher performed all eight activities and stork-billed kingfisher performed all except bathing and hovering. Both kingfisher species spent the maximum (pied kingfisher: 31.87%; stork-billed kingfisher: 45.82%) time in resting/perching and the minimum (pied kingfisher: 4.83%; stork-billed kingfisher: 1.90%) in preening. Pied kingfishers were mostly (28.3%) active during 0700 and 0900 h and stork- billed kingfishers were more (31.17%) active in between 0901-1100 h. Pied kingfishers spent their highest (9.01%) time in different activities in August and the lowest (7.68%) in February, whereas storkbilled kingfishers spent the maximum (8.69%) time in March and the minimum (7.80%) in May.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 191-203, 2014

Status and conservation of avian fauna of Sultanpur National Park Gurgaon, Haryana (India)

The present study was conducted in Sultanpur National Park Gurgaon, Haryana (India) from February, 2011 to January, 2012 to analyze the avian diversity along with its status and abundance. During the study period, a total of 113 species of birds belonging to 14 orders, 35 families and 80 genera were identified. Maximum 41 species belonging to 12 families of order Passeriformes represented 36.28% of the total identified avian fauna while Podicipediformes and Strigiformes were the least represented avian orders (0.88%) with one species each,namely, Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis and Spotted Owlet, Athene brama respectively. Out of total reported 113 species, 64 were ‘resident’ species and 49 were ‘migrant’ species. Most of the migratory species were winter visitors except Red throated flycatcher, Ficedula parva; Orange Headed Thrush, Zoothera citrine and Eurasian Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus which were summer visitors. In all, 42 species were ‘common’, 33 species were ‘uncommon’ and 38 species were ‘occasional’ bird species. Based on sighting, White Breasted Kingfisher, Halcyonsmyrnensis; White Breasted Water Hen, Amaurornis phoenicurus; Common Moorhen, Gallinule chloropus; Black Wing Stilt, Himantopus himantopus; Red Wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus; Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis and Indian Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii were common wetland bird species of Sultanpur National Park while Pied king fisher, Ceryle rudis and Coppersmith Barbet, Megalaima haemacephala were ‘rarely sighted’ bird species. During the study period, 7 ‘globally threatened’ species, namely, Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala; Black neck Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus; Black headed Ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus; Darter, Anhinga melanogaster; Pacific Reef Egret, Egretta sacra; Sarus Crane, Grus antigone alongwith Hogson bushchat, Saxicola insignis were also recorded from the study area.

Aspects of population dynamics and feeding by piscivorous birds in the intermittently open Riet River estuary, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Aspects of the population dynamics and feeding activity of piscivorous birds in the small (c. 5 ha) intermittently open Riet River estuary, on the south-eastern coastline of South Africa, were investigated monthly from August 2005 to July 2006. A total of 188 birds of 13 species were recorded, of which six were wading piscivores, four aerial divers and three were pursuit swimmers. The Reed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus) was the numerically dominant species, with a mean of 8.25 (SD ± 7.90) individuals per count. Mean numbers of the Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus) were 3.42 (SD ± 1.20) and 1.17 (SD ± 0.60) individuals per count, respectively. The remaining 10 species revealed mean values <0.5 individuals per count. Breaching events were associated with a change in feeding groups from waders to pursuit feeders, and a decrease in total bird numbers, most likely due to loss of potential littoral zone foraging habitat for waders resulting from reduced water levels. The highest bird numbers were recorded in winter reflecting the migration of large numbers of Reed Cormorant into the system. Monthly food consumption by all piscivorous birds showed large temporal variability, ranging from 26.35 to 140.58 kg per month.

Food-niche differentiation in sympatric species of kingfishers, the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and the Greater Pied Kingfisher Ceryle lugubris

Abstract The Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and the Greater Pied Kingfisher Ceryle lugubris breed sympatrically along the Chikuma River in central Japan. These kingfisher species differ in body size, with the latter being much larger than the former. To understand the potential mechanisms that might play a role in food-niche differentiation between these two species, we studied their foraging ecology in the breeding seasons of 2005 and 2006. Specifically, we compared the foraging habitat, foraging behavior, and food delivered to nestlings between the two kingfishers. We video-recorded the food delivered to nestlings during the day, and our results indicated that these species differed in their foraging ecology in several respects: (1) Common Kingfishers caught prey at sites where the water flow was calm, while Greater Pied Kingfishers hunted at sites where the water flowed rapidly; (2) Greater Pied Kingfishers dove from a higher position and caught fish in deeper water than Common Kingfishers; and (3) Co...

Mercury levels in selected tissues of three kingfisher species; Ceryle rudis, Alcedo atthis, and Halcyon smyrnensi, from Shadegan Marshes of Iran

This study presents concentrations of mercury in tissues (feather, kidney, liver, and muscle) of three kingfisher species from Shadegan Marshes located in the Khuzestan province in the lowlands of southwestern Iran at the head of the Persian Gulf. The order of mercury concentrations in tissues of all the kingfishers such as pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and white-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) was as follows: feather > kidney > liver > muscle. No significant difference was detected in mercury tissue levels between species of birds. Liver mercury concentration was positively correlated with kidney mercury levels in all of the three species of kingfishers. Although, the average levels of mercury we observed in these birds were below levels known to be associated with adverse behavioral or reproductive effects, mercury levels in some individual birds exceeded adverse effect level.

The habitat preference of four kingfisher species along a branch of the Kilombero River, southern Tanzania

Several factors have been found to influence kingfisher habitat use, including perch height (Monadjem, OwenSmith & Kemp, 1994), diet (Woodall, 1991; Libois & Laudelout, 2004), water quality (Douthwaite, 1982), river depth (Monadjem, 1996), river width and river speed (Peris & Rodriguez, 1996). Comparisons of the habitat preferences of different African kingfisher species have in the past mainly concerned the influence of single habitat variables on kingfisher presence [for example Monadjem et al. (1994) compared perch height preferences between Giant kingfisher (Ceryle maxima), Half-collared kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata) and Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)]. In this study, by regarding multiple habitat variables we compare the habitat preferences of four African species of kingfisher: Giant, Half-collared, Pied and Malachite (Alcedo cristata), along the Kilombero River, southern Tanzania. Riverine habitat of the Kilombero River is cleared for purposes such as agriculture and livestock grazing and this may negatively affect the resident bird community (Baker & Baker, 2002). We aim to highlight those habitat variables that influence kingfisher habitat use, in an area experiencing moderate levels of anthropogenic pressure. Materials and methods