Ficedula Parva Research Articles

Breeding of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) in an old House Martin (Delichon urbicum) nest on a building wall in Slovakia

Breeding of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) in an old House Martin (Delichon urbicum) nest on a building wall in Slovakia

Replacement Broods in a Cavity Nesting Bird Species under High Predation Pressure in Primeval Forest

Predation is one of the most important factors influencing breeding success. Many bird species suffer from high losses because of predators. I studied breeding success and replacement broods in the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva. The Red-breasted Flycatcher is a small bird breeding in natural holes in dense deciduous and mixed forests of Europe. Data were collected during twelve breeding seasons in a primeval forest, in the Bialowieża National Park, Northeast Poland, the best preserved and protected area of the Białowieża Forest with a rich community of birds and mammals including predators. Almost half of the broods of the Red-breasted Flycatcher were lost and most of them because of predation. In cases where the brood was lost in the period of egg laying or incubation, females tended to lay a replacement clutch. First and replacement nest-sites differed insignificantly in characteristics, but new clutches were always laid in a new site. Out of 68 broods, in which a loss was found, replacement broods were recorded in 47.1% cases. Replacement clutches were much smaller and pairs raised significantly fewer fledglings. The proportions of successful and lost broods were similar in the first and replacement attempts (56.1%, and 46.7%, respectively). Red-breasted Flycatchers choose shallow nest-sites that allow the females to observe their surroundings. This allows the female to escape from the nest when a predator approaches, increasing the possibility of a repeat clutch and the attainment of breeding success in the same season.

The Indo-European flyway of migrating songbirds: Crossing the arid plains of central Eurasia

The arid belt of Central Asia is a major barrier for many migrating songbirds. It has to be crossed by passerines that breed in Siberia and winter in Africa, but also by the species that breed in eastern Europe and winter in southern and south-eastern Asia. Many passerine migrants breeding in Siberia and wintering in Africa avoid crossing the deserts in autumn; instead, they make a detour to the north and northwest and fly north of the Caspian Sea. Here we show that some, but not all, European-Indian migrants (e.g. scarlet rosefinches and greenish warblers) in autumn also make a detour and fly towards the east north of the arid belt before crossing in its central or eastern part. Other species, which include e.g. red-breasted flycatchers, Blyth's reed warblers and possibly booted warblers, take the shortest route between their (north)east European breeding grounds and Indian winter quarters.

New data on reptiles and birds in the North Ustyurt

Periodic inventory of species composition of fauna is one of the first tasks in the conservation of biodiversity. The North Ustyurt is one of the natural areas with a weak spatial-temporal study of herpetofauna and avifauna in the Western Kazakhstan. According to 2020 field studies and literary sources, a reliable habitation of one species of amphibians [European green toad Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768)] and six reptile species [grey gecko Mediodactylus russowii (Strauch, 1887), takir agama Phrynocephalus helioscopus (Pallas, 1771), desert sand boa Eryx miliaris (Pallas, 1773), steppe ratsnake Elaphe dione (Pallas, 1773), blotched snake Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814), Halys viper Gloydius halys (Pallas, 1776)]. As a result of the study of avifauna of late migratory and nomadic birds on the cliffs of the Doniztau and Zheltau mountains, 7 species of birds were identified that had not previously been recorded in the area [Tarsiger cyanurus, Ficedula parva red-breasted flycatcher, Eurasian blue tit Parus caeruleus, great tit Parus major, brambling Fringilla montifringilla, Eurasian siskin Carduelis spinus, reed oatmeal Emberiza schoeniclus]. In total, 33 species of birds found on the North Ustyurt. The materials obtained indicate a lack of study of herpetofauna and avifauna of the North Ustyurt and it is necessary to continue research here.

Abundance estimation from point counts when replication is spatially intensive but temporally limited: comparing binomial N-mixture and hierarchical distance sampling models

We investigated the performance of hierarchical distance sampling (HDS) versus binomial N-mixture (binmix) models, both aiming at abundance (or, equivalently, density) estimation. We tested the accuracy of density estimates using simulated data and compared them to the estimates coming from a Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) point count survey in the Dar¿lubie Forest (N Poland). In both the simulations and the actual data, we mimicked varying plot size (i.e., radius length, and site area) and song loudness from quiet to loud by modifying detection functions. We found that the resolution at which distance detection data are collected (i.e., the number and width of distance classes) had essentially no effect on estimates and their precision in HDS, even when birds were only assigned into two, wide distance classes, such as “close” and “far”. Both site size (radius length) and song loudness affected density estimates in HDS only slightly: a positive bias (by 5%–17%) occurred when sites were small and a lower precision occurred for quiet singers.

Individual Heterozygosity Influences Arrival Times and Mating Success of Male Red-Breasted Flycatchers Ficedula parva.

We examined the relationship between individual heterozygosity of male Red-breasted Flycatchers (Ficedula parva; a small long-distance migratory, socially monogamous bird species) and their mating success, arrival time and age. Using eight polymorphic microsatellite loci, we found that male heterozygosity is related to both mating success and arrival time, but not to age. Mated and earlier arriving males had higher heterozygosity than later arrivals and bachelors, but we did not find a relationship between age and individual heterozygosity of males. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence about the relationship between individual genetic diversity and arrival time, thus arrival time could be used as a signal of individual heterozygosity and quality.

Breeding avifauna of the forest interior and forest edge in the Borki Forest

AbstractThe composition and structure of breeding bird communities in the Borki Forest in North-Eastern Poland were investigated separately in the forest interior (years 2012–2014) and at the forest edge (years 2016–2018). In both areas, bird censuses were carried out on three plots located in mature oak-hornbeam, ash-alder and mixed coniferous forest stands. Plots were selected to cover similar forest types, encompass stands of similar age and to have similar acreage, both, in the forest interior and at the forest edge. A standard combined mapping technique for estimating the number of breeding birds was applied and a total of 97 bird species were found to have bred at least once within any plot. Regardless of the forest type, both the number of breeding bird species and the population densities were higher on plots situated at the forest edge than in the forest interior. The mean number of breeding species was over 20% higher and the mean total density of breeding pairs was higher by over 30%. Total population densities on the plots located at the forest edge were higher as a result of an increase in population densities of some individual bird species combined with an increase in the number of breeding species, including non-forest and non-typical forest interior species. The number of nesting species in the edge zone was higher than in the forest interior with common species and generalists clearly dominating. Specialist species typical of natural forests as well as rare and endangered species, such as three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) and red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva), for whom the Borki Forest is an important breeding site in Poland were less numerous. Despite the observed differences and a clear edge effect, bird assemblages inhabiting research plots in the forest interior and at the edge were not fundamentally different. We conclude that the edge zone is inhabited by a poorer-quality variant of bird assemblage typical of forest interior, enriched quantitatively by non-forest species associated with open and/or semi-open areas as well as by synanthropic species.

Early arriving males wait longer for a mate than later arrivals: the case of a migratory monogamous passerine bird species

Individuals that arrive earlier on the breeding grounds may obtain many advantages but they also have to spend time waiting for a mate. I studied the waiting times of male red-breasted flycatchers Ficedula parva, a small, migratory, sexually dichromatic passerine bird species under natural conditions (Białowieża National Park, Poland) in relation to year, arrival time, age of male and morphological parameters. The length of waiting time was dependent on males’ arrival time. The males which arrived later waited a shorter time for females than earlier arrivals. In some years older males spent more time waiting for mates than younger males, but in other years they waited for shorter times. A significant interaction between age of male and year was also observed. Despite the significantly earlier arrival of older males, the waiting time was not related to male age. The waiting time was also not related to body biometric parameters of the male. Despite waiting longer, early male red-breasted flycatchers have an advantage over later arrivals given this greater chance of mating.

Laser ablation-ICP-MS in search of element pattern in feathers

The laser ablation-ICP-MS method was used for a quantitative assessment of the distribution of elements Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, and Zn in feathers. We analysed the rectrices of first-year red-breasted flycatchers characterized by a black-and-white colouration, which gave the opportunity to examine the content of elements in two aspects: (i) quantitative distribution of elements depending on the analysed part of the feathers; and (ii) direct imaging of elements in the context of variation in feather colouration (black – eumelanin pigment and white – free of pigmentation). The results show that distributions of Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn in the feather shaft were related to melanin pigmentation – concentrations of these elements were significantly higher within black parts. Furthermore, the highest concentrations of Al, Ba, Mn, Pb and Sr were recorded at the end of a shaft – the oldest part of the feathers analysed – which may be connected with the time and dynamic of nestling plumage development.

Over-wintering Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva in Fujisawa City.

Over-wintering Red-breasted Flycatcher<i> Ficedula parva </i> in Fujisawa City.

Attempts to increase a scarce peripheral population of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) using a new type of nestbox

Abstract The Red-breasted Flycatcher has a large and stable global population widespread through much of the Western Palearctic. Contrarily, however, it is a very scarce breeding bird in the forested montane habitats of Hungary. The few pairs breeding here represent a peripheral population on the very edge of the species’ geographic area. This peripheral population declined considerably (from 3–500 to 100 pairs) during the past decades likely due to the degradation of suitable habitat patches including the loss of appropriate nesting sites. To reverse this trend, we applied a new type of artificial nestbox developed specifically for this species. Occupancy rate was very low and breeding success was also low unless applying a protective wire mesh to reduce predation pressure.

Plasticity in Nest Composition in Relation to Nest-Site Characteristics in the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

The nest is an important part of reproduction of many altricial bird species and nest construction is varied, for example in site selection, shape and construction material. We studied nest composition in the Red-breasted Flycatcher ( Ficedula parva), breeding in natural holes in primeval stands of the Białtowieża Forest. The nests were constructed of three main elements: moss, which was detected in all nests, dry leaves and hair. Moss was found in all nests and comprised on average more than 84% of nest mass. The proportion of moss was dependent on the living/dead status of the tree but not on the depth of the nest cavity or its height above the ground. In cavities located in live trees the proportion of moss in the nest was, on average, higher than in dead trees. The moss in the nests of the Red-breasted Flycatcher can regulate moisture (humidity), provide protection from rain and water from the tree, i.e. from the inner walls of the nest cavity, and can play a role as camouflage in passive protection against predators. Variation in nest construction suggests plasticity in the behaviour of the female Red-breasted Flycatcher in using nest components in relation to nest site characteristics and environmental conditions.

DIFFERENCES IN AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF RELATED SPECIES OF FLYCATCHERS (MUSCICAPIDAE) FAMILY

The article is devoted to the observation of differences in relation between aggressive behavior of related species of Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) family and behavior acts in naturally watering places. Observations have reviled the timing separation between presence and engagement of Flycatchers in morning hours and relation with acts of aggression. Each representative of Flycatchers family is using the watering place in different ways. The correlation between intraspecific and interspecific contacts with the predominance of interspecific and highly aggressive interactions has been analyzed. The rating of successfulness of the acts of aggression has been established for every particular group of Flycatchers. It demonstrates the energetic justification of aggressive behavior for spotter, red-breasted and pied flycatchers but energetic overspend and failure for collared flycatcher.

Female Red-Breasted Flycatchers(Ficedula Parva) mated with older males produce male-biased broods

Recent avian studies suggest that offspring sex ratios can vary with environmental or parental characteristics. One example is that females may adjust brood sex ratio of fledglings in response to the sexual attractiveness of their mate and are expected to produce more sons when mated with older or more ornamented males. We determined offspring sex ratios at fledging (158 nestlings from 33 broods) in a population of migratory bird species, Red-breasted Flycatchers (Ficedula parva) that were breeding on the western edge of their geographic range, in the strictly protected part of the Białowieża Forest (north-eastern Poland). The ratio of individual broods ranged from all male to all female, but the average offspring sex ratio at the population level did not deviate significantly from the expected 50:50 sex ratio. Moreover, we found no evidence that sex ratio varied significantly with year, with the incidence of extra-pair paternity, with partial brood losses, or with brood size. However, females mated to older males (older males are also more ornamented) were significantly more likely to produce male-biased broods. Our data suggest that female Red-breasted Flycatchers manipulate sex ratio in response to their mate’s age.

Spring and autumn migration of the red-breasted flycatcher through the Kizilirmak delta, Turkey

Abstract The red-breasted flycatcher Ficedula parva is a small passerine bird that breeds in Eastern Europe and across central Asia and winters on the Indian subcontinent. Birds from the western extreme of the breeding range migrating to and from the wintering grounds utilise a large longitudinal component en route that is not typical of the majority of European passerines. Therefore, it is one of the lesser-known species in Europe with respect to migration and biometrics. The aim of this study is to describe the numbers, phenology and biometry of the red-breasted flycatcher in relation to age, sex and migration season at a stopover site in northern Turkey. The number of individuals ringed in autumn was six times higher than in the spring passage. Furthermore, the period of the spring passage was shorter than in autumn, and in spring males migrate six days earlier than females and juveniles; no such differences were found in autumn. Moreover, migrants carried more fuel reserves in spring than in autumn and no differences were recorded in the length of stopover duration. The study underlines the importance of further research into passerine migration across Turkey to better understand the whole migratory system of movements of the Palaearctic migratory passerine populations.

Indicators of Forest Biodiversity: Which Bird Species Predict High Breeding Bird Assemblage Diversity in Boreal Forests at Multiple Spatial Scales?

Indicator species have been proposed to be used for revealing common status of ecosystems and their biodiversity. We studied breeding forest birds in southern Finland. Our aim was to find bird species combinations that would predict species richness of forest bird assemblages at several spatial scales. We evaluated statistical models that included 1–5 indicator candidate species, and ranked them according to the Bayesian information criterion. The red-breasted flycatcher Ficedula parva, the pygmy owl Glaucidium passerinum and the three-toed woodpecker Picoides tridactylus were found to be the best multiscale indicators. Models at smaller spatial scales, including several indicator species better explained the total variation in species richness. The indicators mostly revealed properties of the forest site rather than variation in species richness caused by species interactions. Our results show that a suitable set of indicator species may be a useful and quick method for the evaluation of bird diversity in forest environments.

Extra-pair Paternity in Relation to Age of the Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedula Parvamales

Despite advances in knowledge, in many bird species, the true mating system is unknown, and especially so for birds breeding at low densities under natural conditions. We studied paternity at the population and breeding pair level in the Red-breasted Flycatcher ( Ficedula parva), a small, migrant passerine breeding in old-growth Białowieża Forest. Over seven breeding seasons we genotyped a total of 159 nestlings and 25 adult males as fathers from 33 broods of the Red-breasted Flycatcher. Extra-pair young were present in eight broods (24.2%). Twelve (7.5%) chicks mismatched with the ‘social’ male in several loci. Both low breeding density and synchrony in breeding phenology can explain such findings. Also of interest was the share of extra-pair paternity at the individual level, in relation to the age/ornamentation of the extra-pair male. Male Red-breasted Flycatchers exhibit delayed plumage maturation. Young males (second year) are without an orange badge on the throat and breast, while older males (after-second year) are ornamented and have an orange badge. The extra-pair nestlings were found in eight broods, four with young males as a fathers (36.4%) and four in broods of old males (18.2%). However, in all seven cases when the age of the extra-pair partner was known, irrespective of the age of the social father, the extra-pair partner was a male with an orange patch on the breast. This indicated female preference for ornamented males as partners for extra-pair copulation.

茨城県取手市におけるニシオジロビタキ&lt;i&gt;Ficedula parva&lt;/i&gt;の観察記録

茨城県取手市におけるニシオジロビタキ&lt;i&gt;Ficedula parva&lt;/i&gt;の観察記録

Characterisation of Cross-Amplified Microsatellite Markers in the Red-Breasted FlycatcherFicedula parva

Abstract. We tested 24 microsatellite markers for the red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva, using the primers for the PCR reaction described for other species from genus Ficedula. The amplification efficiency, specificity of the products, and polymorphism of cross-amplified microsatellites were determined based on the genotypes of 65 adult males from a natural population breeding in Bialowieza Forest (Eastern Poland). Based on obtained results, we identified 9 highly polymorphic microsatellites, consistently amplifying in majority of individuals. Among those markers between 4 and 26 alleles per locus (mean 15.4) were found and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.393 to 0.939. The majority of loci (except for Fhy350 and Fhy458) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Accordingly, the values of FIS did not significantly differ from zero 0, except for the locus Fhy350. We suggest that this locus could be loaded with high frequency of null alleles. The polymorphic information content (PIC) for the select...

Badge Size and Arrival Time Predict Mating Success of Red-Breasted FlycatcherFicedula parvaMales

Older red-breasted flycatcher males (after the second year) have an orange patch on the throat and breast. To date, the occurrence of this ornament has been explained in terms of male-male interactions. In this paper, we show that badge size also influences the mating success of red-breasted-flycatcher males. In addition to the size of the ornament, arrival time was a second factor related to the males' mating success, but no effects of body parameters such as wing length, tarsus length, and body mass were observed. Mated males arrived significantly earlier than unmated ones. The arrival time of males was negatively correlated to body mass and positively correlated to tarsus length but no relation to wing length or badge size was observed. No correlations between badge size and body parameters were observed. This ornament was evolved through sexual selection, with both male-male interaction and selection pressure arising from female preference for males with larger badges.