Song Thrush Research Articles

«Non-conforming Pleasures»: Representations of Homosexuality in Casanova’s Histoire de Ma Vie

Giacomo Casanova’s Histoire de Ma Vie offers an interesting perspective for exploring same-sex eroticism in the eighteenth century. Despite its reputation as a classic focused on heterosexual adventures, the Memoirs reveal references to sodomy and eroticism between same-sex individuals. This article aims to identify and place in the historical context traces of this theme within the literary source. It documents biases and captures shifts in sensibilities through Casanova’s firsthand account, delving into male homoeroticism, lesbian encounters, and the evolution of Casanova’s attitude towards male sodomy at a time when terms like «homosexuality» had yet to be defined. The challenge of anachronism is addressed by acknowledging that the absence of a specific terminology in earlier periods does not negate the existence of same-sex love and intimacy. Examining the representations of same-sex eroticism in Casanova’s Histoire provides insights into the historical contextualization of male subjectivity, the understanding of emotions, and the physiological-moral discourse regarding the body-mind connection, during a pivotal turning point in the history of emotions and sexuality.

The Presence of Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Song Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) Wintering in Apulia (Southern Italy)-Preliminary Results.

The term microplastics (MPs) describes a heterogeneous mixture of particles that can vary in size, color, and shape. Once released into the environment, MPs have various toxicological and physical effects on wildlife. The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a migratory species, staying in Italy in late autumn and winter. The aim of this study is to assess, quantify, and characterize the presence of microplastics in Song Thrushes hunted in the Apulia region of Italy. The birds (n = 360) were hunted in the Bari countryside and donated for research purposes by hunters. MPs were classified in relation to their shape in fibers, films, fragments, and pellets; then, they were divided according to their color and the length of the particles was measured. Nikon image analysis software was applied to the litter size measurements. Of the total of 360 birds, MPs were detected in the stomachs of 129 birds shot in December and 128 birds shot in January. The majority of ingested MPs were fibers that were observed in all contaminated birds. Film fragments were observed in every contaminated specimen. Among all the MPs found, 31.75% were red, 30.13% were black, and 25.91% were blue, while the other colors were less represented. This study provides the first analysis of MPs bioaccumulation in Song Thrushes wintering in the Apulia region, and the high contamination of thrushes confirmed the ubiquity of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems.

Alpine songbirds at higher elevations are only raised with a slight delay and therefore under harsher environmental conditions.

The breeding phenology of birds is often timed to coincide with a peak in food availability. However, the shortening of the vegetation period with increasing elevation may force bird species at high elevations to breed earlier in relation to optimal environmental conditions due to time constraints. We investigated differences in fledging dates in five Alpine woodland songbird species along an elevational gradient from 1500 to 2200 m in Switzerland. We estimated fledging dates from a nationwide citizen science bird monitoring dataset and used the date when the proportion of observations of 'fledged young' reached 50% among all observations indicating breeding behaviour. This measure had the advantage that we could estimate average timing of the broods across a wide geographic range and over many years without the need to search for individual nests. We then compared differences in timing of the broods with climatic conditions and larch budburst across different elevational bands. The daily mean air temperature of 10-15°C was reached 34-38 days later at 2200 m compared to 1500 m, which is a similar delay as found in previous reports on snow melt-out date. The average delay in larch budburst was 19.2 days at 2200 m compared to 1500 m. In comparison, the average timing of the birds' broods was only 5.4 days later in coal tits and 0.5 days later in Alpine tits at 2200 compared to 1500 m (the two species for which we had the narrowest interval estimates). Also, the estimated delay at higher elevations in the broods of song thrushes, mistle thrushes and Eurasian chaffinches was relatively small. Rather than postponing breeding dates to better environmental conditions later in the season that would match the earlier conditions at low elevation, songbirds breeding at higher elevations may thus have evolved adaptations to cope with the harsher conditions.

Architecture differentially affects thermal properties of Song Thrush Turdus philomelos nest walls

ABSTRACT Thermistors embedded on and within the nest wall were used to measure the changes in temperature between different parts of the architecture of the wall of Song Thrush nests as heat from a light bulb was conducted across the wall. The wood pulp forming the nest cup provided the greatest resistance to heat loss across the nest wall. Despite differences in nest mass and architecture, thermal conductance for Song Thrush nest walls were not statistically different from values previously reported for Common Blackbird Turdus merula nests. Song Thrush nests constructed over many years in the same geographical location exhibited an increase in the thickness of the wood pulp cup and a reduction in thermal conductance, i.e. the most recent nests were better insulated. However, nest mass or thermal insulation did not affect reproductive success between years.

Constitutive immune function is not associated with fuel stores in spring migrating passerine birds.

Migratory birds may either upregulate their immune system during migration as they might encounter novel pathogens or downregulate their immune system as a consequence of trade-offs with the resource costs of migration. Support for the latter comes not least from a study that reports a positive correlation in autumn migrating birds between fuel stores and parameters of innate and acquired immune function, that is, energy-exhausted migrants appear to have lowered immune function. However, to our knowledge, no study has tested whether this pattern exists in spring migrating birds, which may face other trade-offs than autumn migrants. Here, we investigate if in spring there is a relationship between fuel stores and microbial-killing ability, a measure of innate immune function, and total immunoglobulin (IgY), a measure of acquired immune function, in four migrating bird species: chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), dunnocks (Prunella modularis), song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) and northern wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe). Our findings indicate no significant correlation between fuel stores and either microbial killing ability or IgY levels when considering all species collectively. When analysing species separately, we found a significant negative correlation between fuel stores and microbial-killing ability in chaffinches and a positive correlation between fuel stores and IgY levels in wheatears. In song thrushes, but not in any of the other species, there was a significant negative correlation between relative arrival date and microbial-killing ability and between arrival date and IgY levels. Sex did not affect immune function in any of the species. Our study suggests that the relationship between immune function and fuel stores may be different during spring migration compared to autumn migration. Differences in the speed of migration or pathogen pressure may result in different outcomes of the resource trade-off between investment in immune function and migration among the seasons.

Evaluating the potential of bioacoustics in avian migration research by citizen science and weather radar observations.

The study of nocturnal bird migration brings observational challenges because of reduced visibility and observability of birds at night. Remote sensing tools, especially radars, have long been the preferred choice of scientists to study nocturnal migrations. A major downside of these remote sensing tools is the lack of species-level information. With technological advances in recent decades and with improved accessibility and affordability of acoustic tools, sound recordings have steeply increased in popularity. In Europe, there is no exhaustive qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the content of such acoustic databases and therefore the value for migration science and migration-related applications, such as bird collision hazard assessments, is mostly unknown. In the present work we compared migration schedules estimated from citizen science data with quantitative temporal occurrence of species in four years of acoustic recordings. Furthermore, we contrasted acoustic recordings with citizen science observations and weather radar data from one spring and one autumn season to assess the qualitative and quantitative yield of acoustic recordings for migration-related research and applications. Migration intensity estimated from weather radar data correlated best at low levels with acoustic records including all species in spring while in autumn passerine species showed stronger correlation than the entire species composition. Our findings identify a minor number of species whose call records may be eligible for applications derived from acoustics. Especially the highly vocal species Song thrush and Redwing showed relatively good correlations with radar and citizen science migration schedules. Most long-distance passerine migrants and many other migrants were not captured by acoustics and an estimated seasonal average of about 50% of nocturnally migrating passerine populations remained undetected. Overall, the ability of acoustic records to act as a proxy of overall migration dynamics is highly dependent on the migration period and species involved.

First experimental observation on biology of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) homonucleophilum (lineage pSW2), with remarks on virulence and distribution

Species of subgenus Novyella remain most fragmentarily studied amongst avian malaria agents. Transmission of the recently described Plasmodium (Novyella) homonucleophilum (lineage pSW2) occurs broadly in the Old World, including Europe, however biology of this pathogen remains insufficiently investigated. This study provided the first data on the development of P. homonucleophilum in the experimentally infected Eurasian siskins Spinus spinus exposed by inoculation of infected blood. The parasite strain was isolated from a naturally infected song thrush Turdus philomelos, multiplied in vivo, and inoculated to six Eurasian siskins. The same number of birds were used as negative controls. All exposed birds were susceptible, and the controls remained uninfected during the entire study (172 days). Prepatent period was 8–12 days post exposure (dpe). Maximum parasitaemia reached 50–90 % of infected erythrocytes between 20 and 44 dpe. Then, parasitaemia decreased but remained relatively high during the entire observation. Three of six exposed birds died, indicating high virulence of this infection. The parasitaemia increase coincided with a decline of haematocrit value, indicating anaemia. Polychromasia was evident in all infected birds but not in controls. Body mass of exposed birds increased, coinciding with increased food intake. The latter probably is an adaptation to compensate energy loss of hosts due to the long-lasting parasitism. Exo-erythrocytic stages were not found, suggesting that long-lasting parasitaemia was entirely due to erythrocytic merogony. The lineage pSW2 has been reported broadly in the Old World and is likely a generalist infection. Neglected avian Novyella malaria parasites are worth more attention of researchers due to their cosmopolitan distribution and high virulence.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in ticks infesting migratory birds: the blackbird (Turdus merula) and the song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is the zoonosis widespread all over the world. Birds constitute an important group of T. gondii intermediate hosts often attacked by definitive hosts, e.g. domestic cats. Due to confirmation of an additional way of T. gondii transmission via tick bite, the aim of our study was to state and evaluate the infection prevalence of ticks feeding on blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos). The real-time PCR amplification of the B1 gene fragment was used for detection of T. gondii infection in 157 Ixodes ricinus ticks removed from captured birds. The results showed the thrushes as hosts intensively attacked by ticks (prevalence 88.5% and 70% for blackbirds and song thrushes, respectively), and T. gondii infected individuals were detected. Among all ticks infected, 7 (5.8%; n = 120) were collected from blackbirds, and 2 (5.4%; n = 37) from song thrushes. The thrushes small body sizes and their tendency to urban ecosystems colonization, suggest that they relatively often become a pray of domestic cats, and combined with our findings, are potentially involved in maintenance the T. gondii population, especially in anthropogenic habitats, where the presence of toxoplasmosis is likely to constitute a serious danger to public health.

Dynamics оf Nesting Ornithofauna Structure оf Tiraspol City’s Resident Area

43 species of nesting birds were registered of Tiraspol City’s resident area in 1999–2019. The total density was about 1995,7–2361 pairs/km2 . House Sparrow, Rock Dove, Tree Sparrow and Common Swift were the dominants. Crested Lark, Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler disappeared from nesting ornithofauna of resident area. Common Kestrel, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Scops-owl, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit and Eurasian Nuthatch for 20 years were appeared. A signifi cant increase in abundance was noted in populations of Rock Dove, Long-eared Owl, Common Swift, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Rook and Tree Sparrow. There was a decrease in the number in the populations of Chiffchaff, Northern Wheatear, Black Redstart, House Sparrow and Chaffi nch. The majority of birds nesting in the resident area belong to the Transpalearctic type of the fauna, to the desert-mountains landscape-genetic faunistic complex, to the sklerophilnai ecological group and phytophagan trophic group.

Relationship between Fat Status, Stage of Gonadal Maturity and Hormonal Variation of Turdus philomelos (C.L. Brehm, 1831) Wintering in Apulia during 2018-2020.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the development of the fattening condition and the reproductive status of the song thrush from December to February. For this purpose, the chemical and fatty acid compositions of the pectoral muscle were analyzed in relation to the fattening state of the birds. Moreover, their reproductive activity was evaluated via the anatomical and pathological examination of tissues and through the assessment of sex steroid profiles. One hundred ninety-five thrushes captured by local hunters during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 hunting seasons in different provinces of the Apulia region in Italy were used. The first step was the measurement of bird body mass, and the amount of subcutaneous body fat was estimated visually. During post-mortem examinations, the pectoral muscle was excised and used for chemical and fatty acid analysis and a hormone assay, respectively. Moreover, ovaries and testicles were evaluated to determine the degree of maturation and thus the reproductive status of the birds. The results regarding fattening status and fatty acid profile confirmed that in January-February, thrushes change their diet, increasing their intake of oleic acid, likely to better cope with low temperatures and prepare for long-distance migration. In both male and female thrushes, the concentrations of sex hormones confirmed a phase of reproductive quiescence from December to February, which was also confirmed through histological examination of the gonads.

The reuse of Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) nests by the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) in an intensive agricultural landscape: a coincidence or a new solution?

Nest site availability plays an important role in the ecology of the birds inhabiting intensive agricultural landscapes. The removal of trees and snags due to logging is one of the main threats and the cause of the observed decline in many birds living in an agricultural landscape. When nests are lost, nesting passerines typically rebuild them for a new clutch. Additionally, relocating nests after a brood loss is a prevalent strategy used to avoid predators and brood parasites. Such a strategy is common to the Red-backed Shrike, which builds successive nests for each brood. Interestingly, clutch replacement may occur in unusual forms. This study describe three cases of Song Thrush nests reused by Red-backed Shrikes during one breeding season. The time and energy-saving behaviour or possible deterrence of nest parasitism could explain why the nests have been reused. However, due to the limited observations as compared to the total number of nests, further research is necessary to clarify this phenomenon.

Breeding success of passerine birds in the forest steppe of European Russia

In the period from 1985 to 2023, the breeding success of 15 bird species was studied in the Voronezh Nature Reserve (50°21ʹ-52°02ʹ N, 39°21ʹ-39°47ʹ E), where there has been no economic activity for 100 years. The plant cover consists of pine (32.3% of the total area), oak (29.3%), aspen (19.3%), birch (5.7%) and alder (5.2%) forests. 2004 nests were monitored. Low breeding success (25.4-27.9%, determined by the modified Mayfield method) was found in the Blackbird Turdus merula , the Song Thrush T. philomelos , the Finch Fringilla coelebs and the Greenfinch Chloris chloris. From 1.6 to 1.8 fledglings fly out for one breeding attempt. The average level of breeding success (38.7-50.4%) was found in the Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita , the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio , Redwing Turdus iliacus , Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla , Garden Warbler S. borin and Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes . From 2.1 to3.4 fledglings fly out for one breeding attempt. A high level of breeding success (60.6-82.5%) was found in the Great Tit Parus major , the Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus , the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca , the Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis and the Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata . From 3.7 to 7 fledglings fly out for one breeding attempt. Due to the increased pressure of nest predators, the breeding success of birds in the Voronezh Nature Reserve is often lower than in other areas. The greatest breeding success is typical for birds that place nests in hollows and other shelters. Breeding success is significantly lower in openly nesting species, especially in birds that begin nesting before the leaves bloom on trees and shrubs.

Start of dawn singing as related to physical environmental variables in an alpine environment

Birds often have a peak of singing activity at dawn, and the timing of dawn song is species-specific. However, the start of singing at dawn may also depend on environmental factors. We investigated the effects of different environmental variables on the start of dawn singing in six common songbird species in the woodlands of the Swiss National Park. Moon phase, aspect, temperature and road noise had the most consistent effects across species: dawn singing started earlier after brighter and warmer nights, on more east-exposed slopes, and in areas with more road noise. On average, birds started to sing 2.8 min earlier in areas with high road noise level compared to areas without road noise, and 4.7 min earlier in east-exposed slopes compared to west-exposed slopes. Further, birds started to sing on average 5.0 min earlier after full moon compared to new moon nights, 1.2 min earlier after warmer compared to colder nights, and 2.5 min earlier at 2200 m than at 1500 m a.s.l. The effects of date were more species-specific: Alpine Tits started to sing on average 4.9 min later at the end compared to the beginning of the study period, whilst Song Thrushes started to sing 9.0 min earlier. Our findings are in line with the results of previous studies on the effects of road noise, nocturnal light, and partly on temperature. Our study shows that variation in environmental variables may influence the start of dawn singing in different ways, and that anthropogenic factors like road noise can affect bird behaviour even in a highly protected area.

Міжвидові та статеві відмінності за морфометричними ознаками у п’яти видів дроздів роду Turdus (TURDIDAE, AVES)

The data presented in this article is the first complex ecomorphological study of five close species of thrushes of the genus Turdus (T. pilaris, T. merula, T. iliacus, T. philomelos, and T. viscivorus). For the first time, on the basis of representative materials and using me­thods of univariate and multivariate statistics, the main forms of group variability and adaptive divergence were studied in the five species of Turdus. Interspecific and sexual differences in morphometric characters were also analyzed. In total, 124 museum specimens were processed, which were collected in the territory of the Ukrainian Polissia: fieldfare – 28 individuals (17 ♂, 11 ♀), song thrush – 27 individuals (14 ♂, 13 ♀), mistle thrush – 25 individuals (12 ♂, 13 ♀), blackbird – 25 individuals (12 ♂, 13 ♀), and redwing – 19 individuals (13 ♂, 6 ♀). It has been revealed that, according to the total body size, the five thrush species studied differentiate into groups of small (redwing and song thrush), medium (blackbird), and large (fieldfare and mistle thrush) species. The blackbird has the most unique body proportions, with a relatively large head, long beak, but shorter wing length. It is shown that sexual differences on the background of interspecific differences are practically not expressed in the five studied species. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that interspecific differences in linear body size are much larger than sexual differences. The mistle thrush and redwing differ the most in linear body size (DE = 51.0–60.4). The smallest differences are observed between the redwing and song thrush (DE = 10.1–15.1), as well as between the mistle thrush and fieldfare (DE = 8.1–16.4). Compared to the other four species, the blackbird has relatively longer head and, especially, beak, but shorter wing. In our opinion, these features in the body proportions of the blackbird are related to its life-style, and mainly to feeding specifics. According to the results of factor analysis, the first two principal components (PC1, PC2) quite fully (90.16 % of the total variance) describe the variation of the 14 morphometric characters in females and males of the five thrush species. The relatively high values of factor loadings of all characters on PC1 (-0.82…-0.98) indicate the consistency of their variability.

Social information modifies the associations between forest fragmentation and the abundance of a passerine bird

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main factors driving the occurrence and abundance of species in the landscape. However, the local occurrence and abundance of species may also depend on conspecific and heterospecific social information e.g. clues of animals’ presence or their voices. We investigated the impact of the interaction between different types of social information and forest fragmentation on the abundance of the song thrush, Turdus philomelos, in Central Europe. Three types of social information (attractive, repulsive, and mixed) and procedural control were broadcasted via loudspeakers in 150 forest patches that varied in size and isolation metrics. Repulsive social information (cues of presence of predator) decreased abundance of song thrush. Also, the repulsive social information changed the association between forest patch isolation, size and the abundance. Attractive social information (songs of the studied thrush) had no effect on song thrush abundance. However, the attractive social information reversed the positive correlation between habitat patch size and the abundance. Mixed social information (both repulsive and attractive) had no impact on the abundance nor interacted with habitat fragmentation. The observed effects mostly did not last to the next breeding season. Overall, our findings indicate that lands of fear and social attraction could modify the effect of habitat fragmentation on the species abundance but these effects probably are not long-lasting.

Survey of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Agents in Ixodes Ticks Carried by Wild Passerines during Postbreeding Migration through Italy

Recently, increasing attention has been posed on the role of migrating birds in the spread of ticks and indirectly of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). Despite, Italy is considered a bridge between continental Europe and North Africa and a necessary path to connect Mediterranean countries, few studies have been conducted on ticks collected from birds migrating through this country and associated TBPs. The aims of this research were to estimate the infestation burden and identify tick species feeding on migratory birds, and perform a molecular screening for TBPs. During autumn migration (2019–2020), birds were inspected for ticks in a ringing station located in north-east Italy. Ticks were identified and screened for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Neoehrlichia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Bartonella spp. Ixodes ticks (n = 209) were feeding on 2.6% of passerines (88/3411). Most of these (208/209) were Ixodes ricinus, except one Ixodes frontalis. Eight bird species were infested: common blackbird, redwing, brambling, song thrush, common chaffinch, European robin, water pipit, and coal tit. Rickettsiales showed a low prevalence, from 1.4% of Ehrlichia spp., 4.3% of A. phagocytophilum, up to 7.2% of Rickettsia spp.. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. had the highest prevalence, 54.6%, and several zoonotic genotypes were identified: B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. afzeli, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and B. miyamotoi. All specimens were negative for TBEV and Bartonella spp.. Although the tick burden was generally low, most of the vectors (>60%) were positive for at least one pathogen, highlighting the relevance of a continuous monitoring of migrating birds as potential sources of pathogen dispersal.

Morishitium polonicum (Machalska, 1980) is a junior synonym of Morishitium dollfusi (Timon-David, 1950) (Trematoda: Cyclocoeliidae).

Species of the genus Morishitium Witenberg, 1928 are parasites of the body cavity, air sacs, and lungs of birds. At least 14 species are considered valid, but molecular confirmation of their status is lacking. Here, we provide the first molecular data on Morishitium dollfusi isolated from their type host Pica pica, compared them with previously reported molecular data from Morishitium polonicum isolated from their type and paratype hosts, Turdus merula and Turdus philomelos, and performed extensive measurements of 511 individuals of Morishitium spp. across a broad host spectrum, at multiple infection intensities, and year-round. We analyzed the molecular phylogenetics of Morishitium spp. adults isolated from bird hosts of Czech origin and provide comparative measurements of the analyzed specimens. Based on the molecular examination of morphologically identified specimens of M. dollfusi and M. polonicum (CO1, ND1, and ITS2 markers), we propose synonymization of Morishitium dollfusi (Timon-David, 1950) with Morishitium polonicum (Machalska, 1980) (isolates of European origin). The three markers were either identical (CO1, ITS2) or formed haplotypes shared by the two species (ND1). Morphological analyses revealed a continuum of key identification features for the two above-named species, although we used specimens matching the original descriptions and isolated them from the type hosts. Therefore, Morishitium polonicum is a junior synonym of Morishitium dollfusi. Attention is needed regarding the status of East Asian isolates identified previously as M. polonicum (or M. polonicum malayense). The molecular analysis revealed that these isolates form a distinct clade, and further research is needed to produce data allowing the likely separation of the malayense clade as a separate species.

Exo-erythrocytic development of Leucocytozoon parasites (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) in song thrushes Turdus philomelos

Leucocytozoon parasites (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae) are haemosporidians whose diversity, exo-erythrocytic development and potential vectors are the least studied. The knowledge about their exo-erythrocytic development and pathogenicity is fragmentary, resulting in an incomplete comprehension of the impact of these parasites on avian hosts. For a long time, Leucocytozoon infections were considered benign to wild birds, even though they were virulent in poultry and responsible for some wild bird population declines. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Leucocytozoon species exo-erythrocytic stages in song thrushes Turdus philomelos using conventional histological techniques (sections stained by H&E) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Tissues from ten birds (seven naturally infected and three opportunistic samplings) were examined using both methods. Parasite lineages were identified from blood samples using PCR-based techniques. Leucocytozoon species meronts were found in five individuals (in four birds using H&E staining protocol, and in three in CISH-treated histological sections). Meronts were found mainly in the kidneys, but some meronts were also present in the lungs. It was possible to observe different maturation stages of meronts in the same bird individual, indicating an asynchronous development. Cytomeres were readily visible in developing meronts. One megalomeront-like structure was present close to a blood vessel in the heart. It was covered with a prominent capsular-like wall. No inflammatory reaction or necrosis was seen in the tissues surrounding the meronts or the megalomeront-like structure. We could confirm the transmission of three Leucocytozoon lineages (lTUPHI14, lSTUR1 and lTUPHI13) in Europe, and add evidence of the transmission of two Plasmodium lineages, including Plasmodium circumflexum (pTURDUS1), and Haemoproteus asymmetricus (hTUPHI01). We call for further research to better understand Leucocytozoon parasite exo-erythrocytic development.

Modelling the timing of migration of a partial migrant bird using ringing and observation data: a case study with the Song Thrush in Italy

BackgroundThe study of the timing of migration is fundamental to the understanding of the ecology of many bird species and their response to climate change, and it has important conservation and management implications e.g., for assessing the hunting seasons according to the EU Directive 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive).MethodsWe developed a new method for the analysis of ringing data (both first capture and re-encounters) and citizen science observations, to assess the timing of pre- and post-nuptial migration of birds. This method was tested on the Song Thrush Turdus philomelos, using i) the Bird Ringing Database hosted by the ISPRA Italian Ringing Centre from the whole Italian peninsula, the three closest large islands (Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica), and Canton Ticino (Switzerland) and ii) the eBird data for the same study area. ResultsThe results from both datasets consistently showed that pre-nuptial migration starts during the first 10-day period of January (Jan 1) in some central and southern areas of the Italian peninsula, in central Sicily, southern Sardinia, and Corsica. The onset of migration occurs on Jan 2 in the rest of central and southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia, and western Liguria, while it starts later in the north-eastern Alps, up to Mar 3. The end of post-nuptial migration is more synchronous, occurring on Nov 1 across most of Italy, slightly earlier (Oct 3) in northern Italy and later (Nov 2) in Sicily. The uncertainty of the estimated dates was < 2 days in most cases. ConclusionThis method represents a novel and valuable tool for the analyses of the timing of migration using ringing and citizen science data and provides an important contribution to the Key Concepts Document of the EU Birds Directive, where migration timings are considered and used to define the hunting period of birds.

The oviduct fluke, Prosthogonimus species in wild birds, Türkiye.

Prosthogonimus species is considered one of the most important pathogen parasites of poultry and wild birds because it causes defective egg formation, and deaths can be seen as a result of peritonitis. The genus Prosthogonimus is all-around and has been reported in many areas worldwide. This study is research on the presence of Prosthogonimus species, one of the most pathogen trematodes of birds, in Türkiye and wild birds. We conducted the present study to investigate the presence and prevalence of Prosthogonimusspp. in Türkiye. We studied 183 individuals of 62 wild bird species in the Kızılırmak Delta. Wild birds that died naturally were necropsied and searched for oviducal flukes. After performing our parasitological study, we found that 4/180 birds were infected with Prosthogonimus spp. Aythya ferina, Ciconia ciconia, Erithacus rubecula and Turdus philomelos were infected with Prosthogonimus pellucidus, Prosthogonimus macrorchis, Prosthogonimus cuneatus and Prosthogonimus ovatus, respectively. Prosthogonimusspecies was reported for the first time from Türkiye, together with all species found. The presence of Prosthogonimus species in Türkiye and wild birds was determined. We constructed a key of our found Prosthogonimus species based on their morphological characters.