Total Bird Research Articles

Breeding bird response to season of burn in an upland hardwood forest

Upland hardwood forest managers are increasingly burning during the growing-season in hopes of improving wildlife habitat and attaining or accelerating other restoration goals, highlighting the need for research addressing how season of burning affects wildlife, including breeding birds. We used 1-ha strip transects in nine units before (2011) and after (2013–2016) treatments to experimentally assess how breeding birds respond to early growing-season (26 April 2013; GSB) and dormant-season (5 March 2014; DSB) burns, and controls (C). Burn effects on forest structure were minor and transitory, regardless of burn season. Burns did not affect overstory or midstory tree basal area or density; shrub cover did not significantly differ among treatments, but within GSB and DSB it decreased for 1–2 years post-burn. A trend of reduced leaf litter depth immediately following both burn treatments was apparent, and recovery was rapid. Percent canopy cover decreased slightly in GSB within four years post-burn. Total bird species richness and density did not differ among treatments or years, and no treatment × year interaction effects were detected. A treatment effect was detected for one of the 10 species tested; Red-bellied woodpecker density was greater in GSB than C in 2013 and 2015. No treatment × year interaction effect was detected for any tested species. Density of birds within the tree-, cavity-, and shrub and midstory-nesting guilds were not detectably affected by either burn treatment, but ground-nester density was lower in GSB and DSB than C in 2014. Our results indicate that single, low-intensity burns, regardless of burn season, are not an effective tool in creating suitable forest structure for disturbance-dependent breeding bird species, or changing breeding bird community composition. In the short-term, substantial forest overstory reduction by timber harvests or high-severity burns will likely be required to improve forest conditions for disturbance-dependent species, and to increase species richness and abundance of breeding birds.

Species Composition, Relative Abundance and Habitat Association of Birds in Arbegona, Garemba Forest, Southern Ethiopia

The present study was carried out in Arbegona Garemba forest from August June 2017 to February 2018 during wet and dry seasons. The study area was stratified based on vegetation composition. Accordingly, Modified habitat, Alpine bamboo forest, and Sub-Afro alpine /Ericaceous belt/ were considered. A line transects count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity, relative abundance and Habitat association. Thus10 transect lines of 0.75km lengths with a width of 0.15km or less wereused to cover 30% of the area. A total of 74 bird species consisting of 5 near endemics, 2 globally threatened and 3 Palearctic migrants were recorded.Average vegetation height was a good predictor for total bird abundance and bird species richness during dry season. Altitude accounted more in total species richness and bird species abundance during wet season. Though, slope was a good predictor for bird species abundance during dry season. It can be concluded that the patch of forest and its surrounding is an important bird area for migratory, endemic, and global threatened species. Therefore, it should be conservation priority area; hence, the study suggests that conservation together with ecotourism development is needed for its sustainability. Keywords/Phrases : Avian species, Habitat types, Habitat association, Species similarity DOI : 10.7176/ALST/75-03 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Domestic Cat Predation on Garden Birds: An Analysis from European Ringing Programmes

Domestic Cat Felis silvestris catus populations have been increasing since the 1970s in Western Europe. This increase is particularly notable in human habitats, such as gardens and parks, where Cats have locally become the most abundant carnivore. In urban contexts, understanding Cat behaviour could be important for biodiversity management. In this study, we analysed Cat predation on garden birds, using existing data from ringing programmes in France and Belgium. These types of data permit us to (1) investigate the bird species killed by Cats, (2) analyse changes in the proportion of birds killed by Cats over the years 2000–2015, and (3) compare the causes of bird mortality as reported by observers. The most affected species were passerines, both granivorous and insectivorous (Europian Robin Erithacus rubecula, Dunnock Prunella modularis, Greenfinch Carduelis chloris), who can frequently be found feeding on the ground or visiting feeders in the winter. Perched birds (Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla) were less represented. Ground-dwelling habits were significantly correlated to predation rates. Between 2000 and 2015, Cat-related mortality in garden birds increased by at least 50%, depending on the ringing programme studied, which coincided with an increase in Cat populations. Cat-related mortality is one of the leading causes of death reported by observers (12.8–26.3% of total dead birds) and occurs at the same order of magnitude as deaths due to collisions with windows. These results underline the need to consider Cats and their potential impacts on urban biodiversity management at garden and urban levels.

Causes of mortality in backyard poultry in eight states in the United States.

A comprehensive understanding of common diseases of backyard poultry flocks is important to providing poultry health information to flock owners, veterinarians, and animal health officials. We collected autopsy reports over a 3-y period (2015-2017) from diagnostic laboratories in 8 states in the United States; 2,509 reports were collected, involving autopsies of 2,687 birds. The primary cause of mortality was categorized as infectious, noninfectious, neoplasia or lymphoproliferative disease, or undetermined. Neoplasia or lymphoproliferative disease was the most common primary diagnosis and involved 42% of the total birds autopsied; 63% of these cases were diagnosed as Marek's disease or leukosis/sarcoma. Bacterial, parasitic, and viral organisms were commonly detected, involving 42%, 28%, and 7% of the birds autopsied, respectively, with 2 or more organisms detected in 69% of birds. Our findings demonstrate the importance of educating flock owners about disease prevention and biosecurity practices. The detection of zoonotic bacteria including paratyphoid salmonellae, Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Mycobacterium avium, and the detection of lead and other heavy metals, indicate public health risks to flock owners and consumers of backyard flock egg and meat products.

Representation of the Pacific Arctic seabird community within the Distributed Biological Observatory array, 2007–2015

An array of eight Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) sites serve as long-term monitoring areas for three geographic regions: the northern Bering, eastern Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. The locations of the DBO sites were largely determined based on abundance and diversity of benthic invertebrates. It is not clear how well these fixed sampling sites can detect changes in processes and populations that operate over spatial scales that are 1–3 orders of magnitude greater than the areas sampled by the DBO sites. In this paper, we examine whether the DBO array provides a reasonable method by which to describe and monitor the distribution and community composition of seabirds in the eastern Pacific Arctic, and if it captures areas of high seabird abundance. We used vessel-based survey data totaling ∼115,860 km of transects within the study area from July–October 2007–2015. We compared species richness, diversity, abundance, and community composition of seabirds among DBO sites and to the broader geographic regions. In general, the avifauna of DBO sites were representative of their respective surrounding region, although sampling effort in the Beaufort was limited. Species richness (totaling 63 species) was highest in the Bering region and lowest in the Beaufort region. Species diversity indices were similar among DBO sites and regions, except for exceptionally low diversity in the two easternmost DBO sites of the Beaufort region. Total seabird abundance was highest in and near Bering Strait, and dropped abruptly northward and eastward of Point Barrow. We used K-means cluster analysis to identify six community types across the entire study area, with five community types identified as having at least one numerically dominant species, and one community type defined by very low densities of a variety of species. Several community types were associated with major current systems (e.g. Anadyr Current, Alaska Coastal Current), and for two community types, breeding colony locations were also influential. Short-tailed shearwaters were the most abundant species in five of the eight DBO sites, and they were the numerically dominant species in a community that was represented from DBO 1 through DBO 6. Overall, variance in abundance was much greater by DBO site (or region) than by year for total birds and for seven of eleven taxa. Taxa with greater interannual variance than spatial variance were shearwaters and phalaropes (among regions), and murrelets (among DBO sites), all of which are late summer migrants to the study area, and glaucous gulls, a circumpolar species. The consistency in species’ abundance by site indicates that DBO sites will be useful for monitoring seabirds in each region. As an array, the DBO sites captured major hotspots of seabird abundance as well as the seabird communities, except for the fulmar-dominated community in the outer Bering Shelf. However, all DBO sites will need to be surveyed to capture the full range of seabird communities in this study area. The Beaufort DBO sites require more survey coverage than currently achieved to fully evaluate their effectiveness to monitor changes in seabirds for that region.

Bird habitats in Gosekhurd region of Godavari basin, across Wainganga river India

Wainganga River valley of Eastern Vidarbha hosts major part of lush green landscape. Gosekhurd Dam (Indira Sagar) is one of the largest irrigation project of central India (JI00481) located 20.8738154°N 79.6081781°E near Pauni of Bhandara district, Maharashtra on Wainganga river. It is a good habitat for birds and herpetofauna biodiversity. Bird watching and recording were done from January 2014 to December 2017. 241 species belonging to 152 genera, 46 families and 17 orders (Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Passeriformes) were recorded. The order Passeriformes is the largest order belonging to 16 families and 90 bird species. Out of total bird species, 109 (45.23%) are resident, 95 (39.42%) are resident migrant and 37 (15.35%) are migratory species. Wainganga Valley is of critical importance for Maharashtra to preserve its forests, wildlife, and tribal population dependent on it. Present investigation carried out to prepare an inclusive checklist of bird species and their ecological status in the study area.

Sexual Dimorphism and Seasonal Variability of Shield Size in the Endangered Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai)

The endangered Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) is one of few native waterbird species remaining in Hawaii, USA. On the island of Oahu, 56 adults were captured and sexed using a molecular method, and sexual dimorphism, seasonal variation in shield size (possibly sexually selected), and use of morphometrics to predict sex as an alternative to molecular sexing were investigated. The sex ratio was significantly male biased: 39 males, 17 females (P = 0.003). No morphometric character assessed independently differed significantly between sexes (0.056 < P < 0.975). However, a multiple regression approach indicated that tarsus length, bill height, tail length, and wing length in combination differed between sexes, but prediction of sex was nonetheless possible with only 65% accuracy. Male shield size was larger during the pre-breeding and breeding seasons than the post-breeding season, but did not vary significantly in females, the interaction between sex and season in the model being significant (P < 0.02). Within the breeding and pre-breeding seasons (a subsample of total birds), multiple regression indicated sexual dimorphism in shield width, shield length, and wing length, but prediction of sex was again only possible with 68% accuracy. Thus, neither model predicted sex sufficiently accurately for this morphometric approach to be a viable substitute for molecular sexing.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast products in reducing direct colonization and horizontal transmission of Salmonella Heidelberg in broilers

SUMMARY This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell wall or a yeast culture in reducing the direct colonization and horizontal transmission of Salmonella Heidelberg in broiler chickens. At d of hatch, 2,000 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 5 treatment groups with 8 replicate pens per treatment. Birds were challenged with nalidixic acid-resistant S. Heidelberg either by direct inoculation of 107 cfu orally (seeders) or by horizontal transmission through inoculated penmates (contacts). Yeast cell wall (YCW) at 500 ppm decreased salmonella prevalence of the total infected birds (seeders and contacts) to 41.7% as compared to 54.2% in the untreated birds. The effect of YCW in reducing prevalence of positive birds was even greater when we considered the contact birds only; 32.5% in contact birds treated with 500 ppm as compared to 57.5% in the untreated group (P = 0.09). Furthermore, enumeration of S. Heidelberg colonization level in the cecum using the most probable number (MPN) method showed that YCW at 500 ppm reduced the bacterial load in the cecum of positive birds to 1.7 MPN/g as compared to 2.7 MPN/g in the control group. The reduction was statistically significant (P = 0.04) in the contact birds. The same effect was not seen in the yeast culture treatment.

Recent drought and tree mortality effects on the avian community in southern Sierra Nevada: a glimpse of the future?

Birds respond rapidly to changes in both habitat and climate conditions and thus are good indicators of the ecological effects of a changing climate, which may include warmer temperatures, changing habitat conditions, and increased frequency and magnitude of extreme events like drought. We investigated how a widespread tree mortality event concurrent with a severe drought influenced the avian community of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. We assessed and compared the separate effects of climate stresses and altered habitat conditions on the avian community and used this information to evaluate the changes that are likely to occur in the near future. We built tree mortality maps from freely available Landsat imagery with Google Earth Engine. We analyzed avian point counts from 2010 to 2016 in the southern Sierra Nevada, to model temperature, water deficit, and tree mortality effects on the abundances of 45 bird species, and then used these models to project abundances into the future based on three climate projections. A large portion of the avian community, 47%, had a positive relationship with temperature increase, compared to 20% that responded negatively. More species (36%) declined with drier conditions than increased (29%). More species declined in response to high tree mortality (36%) than increased (9%). A preponderance of species adapted to colder temperatures (higher elevation) had negative responses to high tree mortality and water deficit, but positive responses to increasing temperature. We projected the highest total bird abundances in the future under the warmest climate scenario that we considered, but habitat modification (e.g., tree mortality) and water deficit could offset the positive influence of temperature for many species. As other studies have shown, climate warming may lead to substantial but idiosyncratic effects on wildlife species that could result in community composition shifts. We conclude that future climate conditions may not have a universally negative effect on biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada, but probable vegetation changes and increased likelihood of extreme events such as drought should be incorporated into climate-smart forest and wildlife management decisions.

Weak effects of farming practices corresponding to agricultural greening measures on farmland bird diversity in boreal landscapes

ContextThe current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union includes three greening measures, which are partly intended to benefit farmland biodiversity. However, the relative biodiversity effects of the greening measures, including joint effects of landscape context, are not well understood.ObjectivesWe studied the effects of increasing crop diversity, proportions of production grasslands and fallows, corresponding to CAP greening measures, on open farmland bird diversity, whilst controlling for the effects of distance to forests, field edge density and proportion of built-up areas.MethodsWe surveyed open farmland birds using territory mapping in Southern Finland. We modelled effects of greening measures and landscape structure on farmland birds (7642 territories) using generalised linear mixed models.ResultsIncreasing proportions of grasslands increased farmland bird species richness and diversity in open farmland, whereas increasing proportions of fallows increased bird diversity. Increasing crop diversity benefited individual species, but not species richness or diversity. Increasing field edge densities consistently increased the species richness of all farmland species, in-field nesters and non-crop nesters, as well as total farmland bird diversity. The relative effect of edge density was much stronger compared to the three greening measures.ConclusionsOur results show that promoting fallows and grasslands, in particular grazed grasslands and various types of semi-natural grasslands, has the highest potential to benefit farmland bird diversity. Maintaining or increasing field edge densities, currently not supported, seems to be of even more benefit. In open farmland, with little or no field edges, fallows and grasslands are particularly beneficial.

Allelic diversity and selection at the MHC class I and class II in a bottlenecked bird of prey, the White-tailed Eagle

BackgroundGenes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are essential for adaptive immune response in vertebrates, as they encode receptors that recognize peptides derived from the processing of intracellular (MHC class I) and extracellular (MHC class II) pathogens. High MHC diversity in natural populations is primarily generated and maintained by pathogen-mediated diversifying and balancing selection. It is, however, debated whether selection at the MHC can counterbalance the effects of drift in bottlenecked populations. The aim of this study was to assess allelic diversity of MHC genes in a recently bottlenecked bird of prey, the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, as well as to compare mechanisms that shaped the evolution of MHC class I and class II in this species.ResultsWe showed that significant levels of MHC diversity were retained in the core Central European (Polish) population of White-tailed Eagles. Ten MHC class I and 17 MHC class II alleles were recovered in total and individual birds showed high average MHC diversity (3.80 and 6.48 MHC class I and class II alleles per individual, respectively). Distribution of alleles within individuals provided evidence for the presence of at least three class I and five class II loci the White-tailed Eagle, which suggests recent duplication events. MHC class II showed greater sequence polymorphism than MHC class I and there was much stronger signature of diversifying selection acting on MHC class II than class I. Phylogenetic analysis provided evidence for trans-species similarity of class II, but not class I, sequences, which is likely consistent with stronger balancing selection at MHC class II.ConclusionsRelatively high MHC diversity retained in the White-tailed Eagles from northern Poland reinforces high conservation value of local eagle populations. At the same time, our study is the first to demonstrate contrasting patterns of allelic diversity and selection at MHC class I and class II in an accipitrid species, supporting the hypothesis that different mechanisms can shape evolutionary trajectories of MHC class I and class II genes.

An Evaluation of Five Agricultural Habitat Types for Openland Birds: Abandoned Farmland Can Have Comparative Values to Undisturbed Wetland

Populations of birds inhabiting wetlands and grasslands are decreasing globally due to farmland expansion and subsequent agricultural intensification. In addition to conserving natural habitats, managing cultivated farmland and abandoned farmland are likely to be important future conservation measures; however, their relative suitability as avian habitat remains understudied. In this study, we evaluated five habitat types (wetland, pasture, cropland, abandoned farmland, and solar power plant) for openland birds in an agricultural landscape in central Hokkaido, northern Japan. Abandoned farmlands had bird species richness and total bird abundance values similar to those of wetlands. These values were generally higher in abandoned farmlands and wetlands than in croplands, pastures, and solar power plants. The per pair reproductive success of Stejneger's Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri and the amount of its prey (arthropods) did not differ among the five habitat types. Three species (Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps, Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, and Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone) arrived earlier in wetlands than in other habitat types. These results suggest that, although protecting the remaining wetlands is of prime importance for the conservation of openland birds in agricultural landscapes, valuing and managing abandoned farmlands would be a promising alternative.

The Relationship between Birds Diversity and Habitats in Phou Khao Khouay (PKK) National Park of Lao PDR

In recent years, global warming, drought and little rain, forest fires, forest destruction and other human disturbances have had an important impact on the habitat environment of birds, affecting the number and quality of bird habitats, directly threatening the survival and reproduction of birds, leading to a sharp decline in the diversity of bird species. In this study, the PKK National Park (18&#17614' - 18&#17632'N; 102&#17638' - 102&#17659'E), Laos was used as a research site. The birds and their habitats in the park were used as research objects. The species, quantity and distribution of birds were investigated. In addition, the distribution of vegetation and the relationship between bird’s community and habitat types in PKK National Park were studied. Species diversity and Abundance of birds at PKK National Park, was monthly assessed by point count method between January and December 2018. A total of 117 species of birds belonging to 43 families and 18 orders were found in the inspection areas. Among them, Passerine birds (60 species) and Non-Finches (57 species) were almost equal to each other, accounting for 51.3% and 48.7% of total birds species respectively. Again, Anseriformes birds account for the largest number amongst Non-Passeriformes, reaching 15 species, followed by Falconiformes, accounting for 20.5% of total. On the other hand, based on migratory habits, resident birds were found to be highest in our research site which account for 35.04% of total birds and followed by Summer Migratory birds (32.28%), Passage Migrant (23.93%) and Winter Migratory birds (6.83%). Through the quantitative measurement and analysis of various parameters, the focus is on the diversity of birds and species in the park. Further, the factors that can affect species diversity, especially the bird’s survival factors such as vegetation change pattern, transformation rate of green areas, recruitment and restoration pattern of wild animals, especially birds, and other beneficial animal populations were also emphasized in our study. Over and above, exploring the scientific basis for the construction of the green space system of the PKK National Park in Laos with reasonable structure, complete functions and ornamental values was in the heart of this research.

Effects of soil tillage regime and frequency of cultivation on grassland bird assemblages in Mediterranean drylands

Conservation agriculture (CA) gained recently some visibility in the Mediterranean region. By affecting soil and plant ecology, CA is expected to influence other biological groups, notably farmland birds. This study aims to assess (1) the importance of tillage regime (conventional vs. no-tillage) and frequency of cultivation under these two regimes in determining the richness and abundance of birds in extensive grasslands originated within rotational cropping systems, and (2) how tillage systems contribute to changes in bird richness and abundance, comparatively to other drivers of bird ecology in Mediterranean farmland. We conducted bird censuses (point counts) from 2012 to 2016 in 34–52 fields per year of 15 farms in Évora region (Southern Portugal). Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to link bird abundance/richness with agricultural descriptors. Both tillage regime and cultivation frequency showed weak effects on Species richness and Total bird abundance. However, a strong variability in the response to tillage descriptors was found between species. For the little bustard and the Iberian grey shrike, a strong interaction with the annual weather regime and opposite trends for the effect of tillage regime were detected. Despite its moderate influence on bird assemblages comparatively to other major drivers of bird richness and abundance (i.e. grazing and annual weather regime), CA could constitute a potential complementary “greening measure” to manage extensive grasslands within rotational cropping systems, particularly in areas where soil erosion is a problem, although some species may not benefit from its implementation.

Structure and Long-Term Fluctuations in the Wintering Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos, Anseriformes, Anatidae) Population in the City of Moscow

Abstract—The structure of and long-term fluctuations in the wintering mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) population were studied from 1985 to 2016 in the city of Moscow. The number of wintering mallards was counted annually on the same day at all ice-free ponds and rivers of Moscow. The total winter population of mallards increased 1.6–3.3 times compared to the summer one. The growth of the wintering group continued from 1985 (17 200) to 1990 (27 900). From 1991 to 1998 its size decreased to 7500, remained low until 2002–2003, after which it began to grow up to 29 700 in 2015. The freezing season has decreased from 132 to 104.5 days (Z = 3.8, p = 0.0001, n = 32) during the study period. At the same time, the average air temperatures of November and December have increased significantly. Mallards gather at the southeastern urban section of the Moscow River exclusively in the cold season. There is no correlation between mallard numbers and interurban winter clusters. This gave grounds to divide the total bird numbers conditionally into the riverine and interurban groups, which were analyzed separately. The size of the interurban group correlates with the duration of the freezing season (r = –0.47, p = 0.006, n = 32), while that of the riverine group correlates with the average (r = 0.41, p = 0.02, n = 32) and minimum (r = 0.54, p = 0.001, n = 32) winter temperatures. The proportion of mallards that wintered in the Moscow Zoo changed in the opposite direction compared to the size of the interurban group (r = –0.83, p < 0.01, n = 32). The numbers of mallards wintering at internal water bodies correlates with the purchasing power (r = 0.44, p = 0.012, n = 31) and welfare of citizens from 1985 until 2015. The more rapid growth in the size of the wintering interurban group compared to the riverine group indicates the advantages of living in urban conditions. These are the lack of permanent human persecution, additional food sources, and a milder climate.

Effect of habitat disturbance on distribution and abundance of Papyrus endemic birds in Sio Port Swamp, Western Kenya

Wanyonyi SN, Mwangi EM, Gichuki N. 2018. Effect of habitat disturbance on distribution and abundance of Papyrus endemic birds in Sio Port Swamp, Western Kenya. Bonorowo Wetlands 2: 49-60. Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) swamps are found patchily around the shores of Lake Victoria mainly along river inflows. The objective of this study was to investigate the distinct forms of habitat disturbance and their implications on the distribution and abundance of papyrus endemic birds. Data on bird counts, habitat quality, and types of disturbance were collected for six months, from October 2013 to March 2014. Total bird counts were established using Timed Species Count (TSC) and playback call technique at every fixed point. The researcher waited for 1 minute, calls of the study species were played to elicit a response of the secretive papyrus endemic birds. The number of each bird's species seen or heard within a radius of 25 meters was recorded for the next 9 minutes before transferring to the next point count. Habitat quality such as height, density, and level of maturity was determined in 1 m2 plots along transverse transects. Opportunistic observations were made to establish forms of disturbance present during vegetation and bird surveys. Papyrus endemic birds were highly distributed in sites with pure papyrus (55.58%) than in places with mixed plants (44.42%). The abundance of three endemic birds, White-winged Swamp-warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, and Northern Brown-throated Weaver, was significantly different in mixed and pure papyrus sites. However, the abundance of Greater Swamp-warbler was not significantly different in mixed and pure papyrus sites in Sio Port Swamp during the study period. Forms of habitat disturbance established were vegetation clearing and invasion by terrestrial and aquatic plants. As many as 76.47% of papyrus vegetation were young and regenerated (0-2 m high), 19.65% were immature papyruses (2-4 m) whereas 3.88% were tall mature papyruses (4-6 m high). The abundance of papyrus endemic birds was positively and significantly correlated with the density of vegetation in height ranging from 4-6 m. Thus, any change in papyrus density changed the abundance of papyrus endemic birds. Advance management of papyrus clearing is necessary for the long-term conservation of biodiversity.

General survey on avifaunal composition of Betana wetland, Morang, Province number 1, Eastern Nepal

The present study conducted in Betana wetland, Morang, Province number 1, Nepal. The study based on the field survey in order to find out the avifaunal composition. In the present study, total 320 individuals of birds belonging 49 species, 30 families and 15 orders reported from Betana wetland based on field observation. The highest proportions of individuals recorded from the sampling station F1 forest area was 35% (n=112). The highest number of species (n= 15) recorded belong to the order Passeriformes with nine families, followed by Coraciformes with three families and four species then Pelicaniformes with two families and six species. Of them, two species viz. Grey-headed fish eagle (Icthyophaga humilis) and Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus ) are kept under near threatened (NT) and vulnerable (VU) category of IUCN Red List of threatened species. About 70 % of total bird recorded was resident type and about 35% of total recorded bird species common in abundance. The species richness and abundance of avifauna found higher in winter season than summer. Compared to the previous study, birds belonging to four more families and five more orders recorded this time. The Shanonn–Weiner diversity index and species evenness of avifauna from the study area found 1.332 and 0.789 respectively.BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164

Effects of development of wind energy and associated changes in land use on bird densities in upland areas.

Wind energy development is the most recent of many pressures on upland bird communities and their habitats. Studies of birds in relation to wind energy development have focused on effects of direct mortality, but the importance of indirect effects (e.g., displacement, habitat loss) on avian community diversity and stability is increasingly being recognized. We used a control-impact study in combination with a gradient design to assess the effects of wind farms on upland bird densities and on bird species grouped by habitat association (forest and open-habitat species). We conducted 506 point count surveys at 12 wind-farm and 12 control sites in Ireland during 2 breeding seasons (2012 and 2013). Total bird densities were lower at wind farms than at control sites, and the greatest differences occurred close to turbines. Densities of forest species were significantly lower within 100 m of turbines than at greater distances, and this difference was mediated by habitat modifications associated with wind-farm development. In particular, reductions in forest cover adjacent to turbines was linked to the observed decrease in densities of forest species. Open-habitat species' densities were lower at wind farms but were not related to distance from turbines and were negatively related to size of the wind farm. This suggests that, for these species, wind-farm effects may occur at a landscape scale. Our findings indicate that the scale and intensity of the displacement effects of wind farms on upland birds depends on bird species' habitat associations and that the observed effects are mediated by changes in land use associated with wind-farm construction. This highlights the importance of construction effects and siting of turbines, tracks, and other infrastructure in understanding the impacts of wind farms on biodiversity.

Local‐ and landscape‐level effects of land use change on bird diversity in Abiata‐Shalla Lakes National Park, Ethiopia

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on biodiversity is important for conservation prioritization. This study examined the effects of vegetation degradation on bird diversity in Abiata‐Shalla Lakes National Park, Ethiopia. We surveyed birds and vegetation structure between January and March 2015 in disturbed (impacted by settlement and agriculture) and undisturbed (not impacted) transects of two vegetation types (savannah woodland and gallery forest). We compared between disturbed and undisturbed transects at local (within vegetation types) and landscape (across vegetation types) levels: (a) avian species richness of the entire assemblage and feeding guilds and (b) species assemblage composition. We found significantly greater mean and total bird species richness of the entire assemblage and insectivore and granivore feeding guilds in the undisturbed transects, while the nectarivore guild was totally absent in the disturbed transects. We also found significant differences in bird species assemblage composition between the disturbed and undisturbed transects both within and across the vegetation types, and bird species assemblage composition at the landscape level was positively correlated with tree abundance and understorey vegetation height. In conclusion, our results demonstrate and add to the increasing body of evidence concerning the adverse effects of human‐induced vegetation change on bird diversity.

Volunteer Observer Bias and Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Counts in the Upper Midwest

Abstract For most species of prairie grouse Tympanuchus spp. standardized monitoring protocols do not exist across adjoining jurisdictions. For instance, researchers monitor relatively small and disjunct populations of prairie sharp-tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasisanellus campestris in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota using different lek count protocols. Some of these state-led monitoring efforts include the widespread use of volunteers who conduct lek counts without training. To facilitate discussions regarding standardizing sharp-tailed grouse lek count protocols in the Upper Midwest and elsewhere, we quantified the magnitude of differences in data arising from lek counts conducted by paired observers and examined factors potentially associated with observer bias (e.g., training type, use of optical equipment, experience). During 2010–2015, 44 unique pairs of formally trained volunteers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan performed 93 counts at one lek while controlling for weather, distance to the lek, and the timing of observations. All counts consisted of six 1 min observations over 1 h. At three leks in northeastern Minnesota during 2015, nine pairs (consisting of an individual new to lek counts and a more experienced biologist) performed 21 lek counts using the same protocols, but without formal training for novice observers. Across all years and all sites, our results consistently indicated more agreement in data for dancing birds than nondancing birds. Overall, the mean ± SE difference between paired observers for total birds (dancing and nondancing combined) was 1.05 ± 0.09 in Michigan and 0.37 ± 0.08 in Minnesota. Generalized linear models indicated that the use of optical equipment and training type for dancing birds and training type for nondancing birds were significant factors that improved data agreement in Michigan. In Minnesota, models indicated that experience level (number of surveys performed) of the technician or volunteer did not affect count differences for dancing birds or nondancing birds. We contend that using behavior as a proxy for sex can bias lek count data for sharp-tailed grouse. We suggest lek count protocols in the Upper Midwest be simplified and standardized. Specifically, we suggest that observers report the total number of observed birds (regardless of behavior) and that protocols establish a set duration of observation. We also suggest that the use of optical equipment be required and that training be mandatory.