Ardea Purpurea Research Articles

STUDIES OF THE PURPLE HERON, PART 2: BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS

Summary Tomlinson, D. N. S. 1974. Studies of the Purple Heron, Part 2: Behaviour patterns. Ostrich 45: 209–223. Some aspects of Purple Heron Ardea purpurea behaviour have been covered although the study is not complete. Further observations are needed, especially on pair formation, nest building and copulation. Many of the displays described for the Ardeidae are clearly homologous and only slight differences exist. The throat puffing component in the Aggressive Upright Display appears unique to A. purpurea as does the clappering and sudden retraction of the neck in the Stretch Display. Birds raised in captivity provided valuable information on agonistic behaviour patterns and the behaviour of young.

STUDIES OF THE PURPLE HERON, PART 1: HERONRY STRUCTURE, NESTING HABITS AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS

Summary Tomlinson, D. N. S. 1974. Studies of the Purple Heron, Part 1: Heronry structure, nesting habits and reproductive success. Ostrich 45: 175–181. At Lake McIlwaine, Rhodesia, Ardea purpurea nests in bulrush Typha latifolia stands or on island termite mounds covered with reeds Phragmites mauritianus, which are connected to the mainland by Polygonum senegalense weed. Nest construction was different in thickness, diameter, height and materials used between the two types of nesting habitat. Clumping of nests in pairs and trios was apparent andMayhave some social significance. The Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus preyed on the eggs and small chicks of the heron, whilst the Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis probably preyed on large chicks destroying the nest completely in the process. Low lake levels appear to be a major limiting factor to nesting success.

Need for conservation of creeks in North-East Flanders, Belgium

In the environs of the town of El Kala in northeast Algeria there are some extensive wetlands of great ornithological, and probably also other biological, importance. The most important are ‘Lake’ Tonga, a marsh of about 2700 ha with much Scirpus lacustris; Lake Oubeïra, a freshwater lake of about 2200 ha; Lake Mellah, where fresh water from brooks and sea water meet, of about 800 ha; Garaet el Mekhada, a Scirpus maritimus marsh of about 5600 ha and swamp forests, which could not be investigated.Many species of waterfowl were seen in the second half of May, 1976. From these and some other observations probable breeding may be derived in many cases. Important species in the region are: squacco heron Ardeola ralloides (about 100 seen), cattle egret Bubulcus ibis (about 2000 seen), little egret Egretta garzetta (about 65 seen), grey heron Ardea cinerea (rare), purple heron Ardea purpurea (about 60 seen, possibly far more present), little bittern Ixobrychus minutus, bittern Butaurus stellaris and night heron Nycticorax nycticorax.Beside herons, the following species were seen: ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca (about 100 seen, probably far more numerous and hidden by the vegetation), white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala (some 50 seen, probably present in greater numbers), marbled teal Anas angustirostris, purple gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio (common in Tonga). Interesting birds of prey in the region were griffon vulture Gyps fulvus (up to 30), marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus (rather numerous in Tonga), tawny eagle Aquila rapax (probably breeding on one place) and Eleonora's falcon Falco eleonorae (up to 5).As to probable breeding birds, Tonga has the greatest density of species and individuals, but other wetlands also have important aspects.Probably the most important lake for breeding birds, Fetzara (near Annaba), was drained in 1937. Marbled teal, ferruginous duck and purple gallinule were very common there, and white-headed duck, purple heron, squacco heron, night heron, little egret, spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus, grey-lag goose Anser anser, red-crested pochard Netta rufina and gadwall Anas strepera used to breed.A brief review is given of wintering waterfowl, mainly based on counts by different observers in the period 1971–1979. Large numbers of waterfowl have been seen in Lake Oubeïra; up to 5000 pintail Anas acuta, up to 14000 wigeon Anas penelope, up to 27000 pochard Aythya ferina, up to 9000 tufted duck Aythya fuligula and up to 32000 coot Fulica atra, up to 850 black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollis and up to 2300 little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis.In Lake Mellah up to 9000 pochard have been seen, up to 12000 tufted duck, and up to 35000 coot.In Garaet al Mekhada up to 25000 wigeon, up to 5000 coot and up to 8000 grey-lag geese have been seen. It seems quite possible that the 95000 wigeon seen by Smart in the artificial lake of the Barrage de la Cheffia in 1974 fed in Mekhada. An insight of waterfowl averages during the different counts can be obtained from the reports, mentioned in the references.All large wetlands mentioned have a high, actual or potential, ecological value. Each of them deserves protection and, from the ecological viewpoint, Fetzara merits inundation. Protection should be aimed at the preservation of the special character of each of the wetlands and of their mutual relationship for birds.The region is the most important in Algeria for wintering duck and coot (an average of 93000 from 1974–1978) and probably also for breeding waterfowl (especially Tonga) in spite of the high quality of La Macta in West Algeria.For the preservation of this diversity, several factors are essential, e.g., water level, water quality, absence of exotic elements in the water fauna and a relatively low shooting pressure (with little disturbance). It is important to prevent drainage of the lakes and of their surroundings, afforestation of the adjacent land, deforestration and erosion in the catchment areas, introduction of exotic fish species—and it is important to introduce good rules concerning shooting.This complex of wetlands is part and parcel of an extensive area of high biological interest, of which the marine habitats and large semi-natural forests are also remarkable.It is to be hoped that this entity will be efficiently protected in the framework of the National Park of El Kala Project.

On Ignavia breviovarica sp.nov., from the purple heron, Ardea purpurea (Linnaeus), with a note on the validity of Brijicola caballeroi Pande, 1960 (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae).

Ignavia breviovarica sp. nov. is described from the ureters and kidneys of the Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea (Linnaeus) from India. The genus Ignavia Freitas, 1948 is briefly reviewed, its diagnosis is emended, and a key is given to differentiate its valid species. The systematic position of the genus is also discussed. The genus Brijicola Pande, 1960 is shown to be synonymous to the genus Saakolrema (Saakova, 1952) Skrjabin and Baschkirova, 1956. Brijicola caballeroi Pande, 1960 is also dropped in synonymity with Saakotrema metatestis(Saakova, 1952) Skrjabin and Baschkirova, 1956. The systematic position of Saakotrema is discussed. The excretory system of S. metatestis is redescribed.

Some ecological observations on the Purple Heron in the Camargue

L’histoire du Héron pourpré en Camargue, son cycle annuel, sa reproduction, son comportement alimentaire et son alimentation sont étudiés sur la base des observations de l’auteur en 1957 et d’après les données de la bibliographie. Quoique nichant en Camargue depuis longtemps, le Héron pourpré semble y avoir augmenté depuis vingt ans et le nombre des couples nicheurs doit dépasser largement un millier. Les Hérons pourprés arrivent en Camargue dès la fin mars, mais surtout en avril. Ils la quittent de juillet à septembre, la plupart en août. Les jeunes de l’année au moins s’envolent dans toutes les directions, mais rejoignent ensuite probablement l’Afrique tropicale, qui doit être le quartier d’hiver des oiseaux camarguais. L’hivernage en Camargue est exceptionnel. L’espèce niche en petites colonies de moins de dix à plus de cent couples, généralement dans les roselières jeunes, pas trop denses. Le nid est une plateforme en tiges de roseaux d’un diamètre dépassant souvent un mètre et situé généralement de trente à cent vingts centimètres au-dessus du plan d’eau. La construction débute par le tassement des tiges sur place ; des roseaux sont ensuite souvent apportés de loin pour consolider l’édifice. La ponte a lieu dès fin avril, mais elle s’échelonne sur plus d’un mois. Dès l’âge de dix à douze jours, les poussins quittent souvent le nid pour des excursions dans le voisinage. Les fortes pluies semblent être le facteur principal de mortalité parmi les poussins. Le nombre d’œufs par ponte varie selon les endroits et les saisons et semble avoir été particulièrement faible en Camargue en 1957 (Moyennes pour la France (Mayaud) , 5,1 ; pour la Suisse (Manuel), 4,1 ; pour la Camargue 1957 (Williams), 3,3). Le Héron pourpré chasse à l’affût le long des fossés ou dans la zone de bordure des marais ouverts. Poissons, grenouilles et de grands insectes aquatiques sont les proies principales. Les prairies irriguées attirent les Hérons à la recherche des courtilières, tandis que les rizières ne sont que rarement visitées. Dans les eaux saumâtres la proie principale est l’anguille. L’analyse des estomacs et pelotes de poussins montre une prépondérance d’insectes (Coléoptères et Courtilières), moins de Poissons et peu de Grenouilles. Il est probable que des poussins plus âgés reçoivent davantage de poissons. Les poussins sont nourris pendant toute la journée, mais surtout le matin et vers le soir.

Records of the Eastern Purple Heron and the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Hokkaido

Records of the Eastern Purple Heron and the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Hokkaido

SOME SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE RHÔNE DELTA.

Summary. The war has not affected the Camargue or its birds much. The dry period 1938 to 1946 caused great drops in water levels, and has adversely affected such species as Cisticola juncidis, while others have been restive and capricious, notably Egretta gazetta, Nycficorax nycticorax and Ardea purpurea. The wet winter of 1946/47 greatly improved water levels. The chief victims have been Cettia cetti and Saxicola torquata. The early part of 1947 was unusually cold. The following are the main changes since 1938:‐ Increases: Corvw monedula, Milvus migrans, Larus argentatus michahellis, New breeding species: Merops apiaster. Expansion: Coracias garrulus. Decreases: Cettia cetti, Cisticola juncidis and Saxicola torquata (all three entirely gone); Remiz pendulimcs (slight); Gelochelidon nilotica (local); and, perhaps, Leucopolius alexandrinus. Phmicopterus ruber bred in 1947. This species also nested successfully in 1942. Vanellus vanellus and, perhaps, Upupa epops and Athene noctua. 1500 pairs fledged about 2000 chicks.

Photographic Biography of Birds 1

THE present volume is a companion to the “Home Life of a Golden Eagle,” noticed in NATURE of May 26, 1910. It is about the same; size, but four biographies instead of one are contained in it. The “Home Life of a Golden Eagle” as a vie-intime will be difficult to excel. It admitted us, by means of that impersonal spy, the camera, to the plosest. intimacy with the entire domestic arrangements, and to the unbroken succession of parental duties of the royal birds. Mr. Beetham has attempted to do for the spoonbill, the white stork, and the common and the purple herons, what Mr. Macpherson did for the eagle. We have to confess with regret that he has succeeded only multum post intervallum. Both watchers employed from an ambush the same methods of the masked camera; but we have, from Mr. Beetham fuller details of the methods than of the object for which they were the end. Both were experts in picture-taking, and our author's results are in no way inferior to those of Mr. Macpherson. The methods they employed are, it seems to us, those by which the accurate life-histories of our birds up to the standard of that of the golden eagle can be obtained. It will take a long time before they can all be biographed, but it will eventually be accomplished so long as among the photo-ornithologists are to be numbered men like Mr. Beetham, who despise the unnumbered difficulties, discomforts, and often very real dangers necessary to securing unimpeachable records.