Sicalis Flaveola Research Articles

Ilheus arbovirus in wild birds (Sporophila caerulescens and Molothrus bonariensis)

To report the first Ilheus arboviruses isolated from wild birds and analyze its public health impact. Wild birds and mammals were captured using mist nets and Tomahawk traps, respectively. Blood samples were drawn from these animals and inoculated intracerebrally in Swiss suckling mice found in the Parque Ecológico do Tietê, Brazil. The isolates were identified by serological tests, such as hemagglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, complement fixation and neutralization. Besides virus isolation, serum samples were also tested for the presence of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies. Two strains of Ilheus virus were isolated from the bird species Sporophila caerulescens and Molothrus bonariensis. Specific antibodies to Ilheus virus were detected in serum samples of some birds (Columbina talpacoti, Geopelia cuneata, Sicalis flaveola and Molothrus bonariensis), marmosets (Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata) and coati (Nasua nasua). Virus isolation and detection of specific antibodies in serum samples of local, migratory and captive birds, captive marmosets and wild coati corroborate the circulation of Ilheus virus in the Parque Ecológico do Tietê. The migrating behavior of some species of wild birds, like Sporophila caerulescens, enables the virus spread to other regions. Taking into consideration its human pathogenicity and the presence of the virus in this area, local authorities should be aware of the risk of infecting the local community.

Benefits and Costs to Plain-Fronted Thornbirds (Phacellodomus rufifrons) of Interactions with Avian Nest Associates

AnSTRACT.--From 1990 through 1993, I examined the interactions among a group of bird species in central Venezuela that use the multichambered stick nests of the Plain-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus rufifrons). Eleven species besides thornbirds, referred to as associates, used thornbird nests as nest sites and, in some cases, roost sites. During the 18-month study, 130 incidents of associates nesting in thornbird nests were recorded. More than 90% of thornbird territories observed for at least two breeding seasons (n = 33) had at least one associate nesting attempt. Four species accounted for over 86% of the attempts by associates: Cattle Tyrants (Machetornis rixosus), Stripe-backed Wrens (Campylorhynchus nuchalis), Saffron Finches (Sicalis fiaveola), and Troupials (Icterus icterus). Sometimes thornbird and associate nesting attempts overlapped, taking place within the same nest in different chambers, or in different thornbird nests within a territory. Nine of 27 (33%) thornbird nesting attempts at the beginning of the 1991 breeding season overlapped associate attempts, and 5 of 26 (19%) overlapped in 1992. Nesting with associates involved benefits and costs for the thornbirds. In 1991, thornbird nesting attempts that overlapped Troupial nesting attempts were no more likely to succeed (33% successful, n = 6) than attempts with no associate overlap (28% successful, n = 18). Thornbird attempts that overlapped those of other species, however, were significantly more likely to succeed than attempts with no overlap (100% successful, n = 3). In 1992, patterns were similar (0% successful with Troupials, n = 2; 10% successful with no associates, n = 21; 33% successful with other associates, n = 3), although high thornbird nest mortality and small sample sizes precluded statistical analysis. Thornbird nesting attempts that overlapped two associate nesting attempts (n = 7, 1991 and 1992 combined) had a high success rate (71%). Rainfall in the month before fledging was positively associated with the number of fledglings produced in 1991, but not in 1992. Nest-guarding behavior by associates and enhanced mobbing of predators (demonstrated in predator-presentation experiments) were likely mechanisms of enhanced reproductive success when thornbirds nested with associates. Thornbirds often were treated with aggression by associates, and circumstantial evidence indicated that Troupials sometimes preyed on thornbird eggs and nestlings. Valuable nest sites may lead coexisting species to converge, rather than diverge, in their use of this resource. Received 20 February 1995, accepted 26 July 1995.

Experiência de repovoamento com Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Passeriformes, Emberizidae) em área destinada à pecuária leiteira

Relatam-se experiências feitas com exemplares de Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis, reintroduzidos, a partir de aves criadas em cativeiro e também recentemente capturadas, para repovoar a fazenda Jatibaia, em Campinas, Estado de São Paulo.

Divisão de trabalho em cuidados à prole em Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766) (Passeriformes, Emberizidae), em cativeiro

São relatadas observações relativas à divisão de trabalho em cuidados à prole em Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis (Gmelin) e S. f. pelzelni (Sclater), em condições de cativeiro.

Poliginia em Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Passeriformes, Emberizidae)

During observations that took place at the Sitio Monte Mor, Municipality of Limeira, Sao Paulo, two cases of bigamy among Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis were studied. The females occupied the same territory and built the nests close to one another. No aggression was observed between them, when one would enter each others' nest. The male fed the nestling of both females, even when the brood occurred simultaneously.

Primeiro relato de Salmonella enterica e Campylobacter spp. isolados de Garibaldi (Chrysomus ruficapillus) e Canário-da-terra (Sicalis flaveola) silvestres

Some species of wild birds have been identified as reservoirs of Campylobacter e Salmonella, they may exert as disseminators of these microorganisms. However, in Brazil, there is no study on the role of wild birds in the transmission of these two pathogens. This study aimed at searching the occurrence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in wild birds that feed in the rice paddies. By using mist nets 23 garibaldis (Chrysomus ruficapillus), one rolinha-picuí (Columbina picui) and one canário-da-terra (Sicalis flaveola) were captured. The birds stool samples were collected using swabs, and they were processed for searching Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella enterica. Eight (32 %) fecal samples collected from C. ruficapillus were Campylobacter-positive and six (24 %) were positive to Salmonella enterica; five (20 %) samples collected from C. ruficapillus and one (4%) from S. flaveola were positive to Salmonella enterica. The two birds C. ruficapillus and S. flaveola showed to be reservoirs of Campylobacter and Salmonella, and they can be potential transmitters of these pathogens. This study is the first report on the isolation of Campylobacter and Salmonella from wild birds C. ruficapillus and S. flaveola.