Passer Montanus Research Articles

Пространственная структура колонии и особенности гнездования обыкновенного скворца (Sturnus vulgaris) и полевого воробья (Passer montanus) в зеленой зоне г. Энгельса

Пространственная структура колонии и особенности гнездования обыкновенного скворца (Sturnus vulgaris) и полевого воробья (Passer montanus) в зеленой зоне г. Энгельса

Management of Subacute Thyroiditis with Conventional High-Dose Prednisolone; Shooting a Tree Sparrow with a Cannonball

Background: A well-established medical entity, and typically self-limited disorder, the subacute thyroiditis (SAT), has been conventionally treated with a large dose (40-80 mg) of prednisolone per day for decades: a nonevidence- based and utterly large dose of corticosteroid for a disease with clearly predictable self-limiting course. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of prednisolone 15 mg/day instead of routinely prescribed large dose of 40-80 mg, and to investigate the rate of early relapse with low-dose protocol. Subjects and methods: In a prospective study, forty-five cases of SAT were consecutively included. The diagnosis of SAT was made based on defined criteria of persistent sore throat, rapidly developed painful goiter, suppressed TSH, high ESR, and low RAIU. They were treated with 15 mg of prednisolone per day during the first month, 10 mg per day for the second month, and finally 5 mg daily over the third month. All cases were carefully followed for a minimum of one year to track the clinical and biochemical response to therapy and to find out any evidence of early relapse after discontinuation of medication. Results: Of forty-five patients who completed the oneyear- course of follow-up, 38 were female and 7 were male (male/female ratio 5.4). Mean age of affected subjects was 39 ± 10 years, and mean ESR was 70 ± 23 mm/hr (median 75 mm/hr, range 30-117 mm/hr). Among all subjects with full-blown SAT, only one case (2.2%) remained noticeably symptomatic on 15 mg prednisolone daily after two weeks, requiring 30 mg of medicine per day for symptomatic relief and normalization of ESR. After corticosteroid withdrawal, significant relapse occurred in only two patients (4.4%). Conclusion: Our results, not only endorse the efficacy of low-dose prednisolone in management of subacute thyroiditis, but also demonstrate the remarkably less relapse with low dose corticosteroid.

Two new species of nasal mites of the genus Ptilonyssus (Rhinonyssidae) from sparrows from the Leningrad province, Russia

Two new nasal mites of the genus Ptilonyssus Berlese and Trouessart, 1889 are described from sparrows of the genus Passer (Passeriformes: Ploceidae) found in the Leningrad province, Russia: Ptilonyssus degtiarevae, n. sp. from Passer domesticus (L.) and Ptilonyssus lovottiae n. sp. from Passer montanus (L.). Ptilonyssus degtiarevae, n. sp. belongs to the newly established orthonychus species complex, and Ptilonyssus lovottiae n. sp. is referred to the hirsti species complex. The species content of the hirsti complex0, originally defined by Fain and Bafort 1963 is enlarged comparing to the concept of previous researchers.

Oxidative stress in birds along a NOx and urbanisation gradient: An interspecific approach

Urbanisation is regarded as one of the most threatening global issues for wildlife, however, measuring its impact is not always straight forward. Oxidative stress physiology has been suggested to be a useful biomarker of health and therefore, a potentially important indicator of the impact that urban environmental stressors, especially air pollution, can have on wildlife. For example, nitrogen oxides (NOx), released during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, are highly potent pro-oxidants, thus predicted to affect either the protective antioxidants and/or cause oxidative damage to bio-molecules. To date, epidemiological modelling of the predicted association between oxidative stress and NOx exposure has not been performed in wild animals. Here, we address this short-coming, by investigating multiple oxidative stress markers in four common passerine bird species, the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), great tit (Parus major), house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and tree sparrow (Passer montanus), living along a gradient of NOx and urbanisation levels in southern Sweden. First of all, the results revealed that long- and medium-term (one month and one week, respectively) NOx levels were highly correlated with the level of urbanisation. This confirms that the commonly used urbanisation index is a reliable proxy for urban air pollution. Furthermore, in accordance to our prediction, individuals exposed to higher long- and medium-term NOx levels/urbanisation had higher plasma antioxidant capacity. However, only tree sparrows showed higher oxidative damage (protein carbonyls) in relation to NOx levels and this association was absent with urbanisation. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels did not co-vary with NOx/urbanisation. Given that most oxidative stress biomarkers showed strong species-specificity, independent of variation in NOx/urbanisation, the present study highlights the need to study variation in oxidative stress across contexts, seasons and life-stages in order to understand how the ecology and phylogeny of species interact to affect species resilience to urban environmental stress.

House (Passer domesticus) and Tree (P. montanus) Sparrows (Passeriformes, Passeridae) in the Lower Ob River Basin and Yamal Peninsula: Specific Features of the Distribution of Sparrows in Northwestern Siberia

House and tree sparrows were common in cities and towns of the Lower Ob River basin down to the mouth in the 1970s–1980s. Currently, the house sparrow has spread in the localities of the middle and northern Yamal areas, whereas the tree sparrow has almost disappeared from the Lower Ob River basin. The house sparrow has moved to the Subarctic owing to the presence of localities with residential houses and warm shelters for vehicles and equipment, as well as houses near the oil and gas drill sites. This species reproduces during the same periods as in the temperate latitudes, annually brings two clutches, has an extended molting period, and migrates only in spring. The tree sparrow has similar ecological characteristics but prefers old wooden buildings. The southward shift of the distribution range of the tree sparrow is most likely associated with a decrease in the population.

불곡산 일대의 조류상

We investigated the avifauna at Mt. Bulgok in July 29 and October 8, 2017. A total 193 birds of 23 species were recorded during bird census. Among them, the most abundant species was <italic>Passer montanus.</italic> Following them, <italic>Paradoxornis webbianus</italic> and <italic>Microcellis amaurotis</italic> were major dominant species. Because of the research conducted in summer, the majority of observerd species were resident and summer visitor birds which breed in and near of Mt. Bulgok. These can be classified 2 types; 22 residents, 1 summer visitors.

Poročilo o obročkanju ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2016 in pojavljanje mušje listnice Phylloscopus inornatus v 25 letih v Sloveniji

Abstract In 2016, data on 176 bird species were gathered during bird ringing activities in Slovenia. A total of 65,711 birds of 165 different species were ringed. Furthermore, 148 recoveries of birds ringed in Slovenia and found abroad, 245 foreign recoveries in Slovenia and 1840 local recoveries were made. The most frequently ringed species was the Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla. Among the ringed nestlings, Great Tits Parus major, Tree Sparrows Passer montanus and White Storks Ciconia ciconia predominated. Considering recoveries of birds ringed or found abroad, the most frequent were finds based on colour rings, especially of Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Mute Swans Cygnus olor and Common Terns Sterna hirundo. As far as local recoveries are concerned, most data were collected for Great Tit and Siskin Spinus spinus. Among rare species, two Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus were ringed, one Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola, one Little Emberiza pusilla and one Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala, the latter as a singing male, which probably also bred in 2016. The catch frequency of the Yellow-browed Warblers has indeed been increasing in Slovenia in the last 25 years, but this is still a rare and irregular vagrant on autumn migration.

Monitoring of Artificial Nests in Horticultural Ecosystems-Observation of Woodpeckers Ethology

In order to increase the integrated protection of horticultural ecosystems by using the biological fight, the installation on artificial nests, is an important measure to help the insectivore birds. In a research program, a number of 166 artificial nets for Passeriformes birds were installed in different ecosystems as parks, botanical gardens and orchards in the South-Eastern part of Romania. During the nests monitoring period an interesting, but in the same time warring phenomenon, was noticed: a certain number of artificial nets were prayed by woodpeckers, especially by Dendrocopos major (Great Spotted Woodpecker). In Romania, all the ten European woodpecker species are nesting, nine being sedentary and one (Jynx torquilla) migratory, leaving the country in autumn. Woodpeckers in general, are very useful in woody plant biological protection, having a predominant insectivore nutrition and being the only one to keep under control the insects that are leaving on, inside and under the trees bark. The paper presents some data regarding the woodpeckers ethology in the studied ecosystems. More research are needed to understand the woodpeckers behaviour and to find protection methods of useful birds' nests against the woodpeckers attack. Keywords: useful birds; Dendrocopos major; Dendrocopos syriacus; Passer montanus; Picus viridis.

Arsenic concentrations and speciation in wild birds from an abandoned realgar mine in China

Birds are at a higher level in the food chain; however, the potential bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic (As) in birds in As mines has rarely been studied. In this study, four passerine bird species (tree sparrow [Passer montanus], light-vented bulbul [Pycnonotus sinensis], Garrulax canorus [Leucodioptron canorus], and magpie [Pica pica]) were collected from an abandoned As mine in China. The highest recorded As concentrations were 4.95 mg/kg and 51.65 mg/kg in muscles and feathers, respectively. Detection using high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) revealed six As species, including arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), arsenobetaine (AsB) and arsenocholine (AsC), with the former three species as the dominant (>92%) and the latter three as the minor As species (<6.17%). Further analysis of the selected bird samples using the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) technique revealed the existence of As(III)-tris-glutathione (As(III)-GSH), which can be regarded as equivalent to the non-extractable and unidentified As form in the HPLC-ICP-MS data. Both methods revealed similar patterns of As species in the birds from the As mine, with muscles containing mainly inorganic As and DMA and feathers containing mainly inorganic As. The results of this study contribute to the knowledge regarding As accumulation and speciation in terrestrial organisms.

Male-specific mortality biases secondary sex ratio in Eurasian tree sparrows Passer montanus.

Sex allocation theory predicts that parents bias the offspring sex ratio strategically. In avian species, the offspring sex ratio can be biased at multiple growth stages, although the mechanisms are not well known. It is crucial to reveal a cause and timing of biased offspring sex ratio. We investigated (i) offspring sex ratio at multiple growth stages, from laying to fledging; and (ii) the stage at which offspring sex ratio became biased; and (iii) the cause of biased offspring sex ratio in Eurasian tree sparrows Passer montanus. Sex determination of 218 offspring, including hatchlings and unhatched eggs from 41 clutches, suggested that the offspring sex ratio was not biased at the egg‐laying stage but was significantly female‐biased after the laying stage due to higher mortality of male embryos. Half of the unhatched eggs showed no sign of embryo development (37/74, 50.00%), and most undeveloped eggs were male (36/37, 97.30%). Additional experiments using an incubator suggested that the cause of embryo developmental failure was a lack of developmental ability within the egg, rather than a failure of incubation. This study highlights the importance of clarifying offspring sex ratio at multiple stages and suggests that offspring sex ratio is adjusted after fertilization.

Identification of Aves, Herpetofauna and Arthropods in Miangas Island (Indonesia), the borderline of Wallacea ecoregion

Suryawan A, Yuliantoro I, Mayasari A, Christita M. 2016. Identification of Aves, Herpetofauna and Arthropods in Miangas Island (Indonesia), the borderline of Wallacea ecoregion. Biodiversitas 18: 1528-1537. Miangas Island is located on the northeast of Wallacea and bordered by the Philippines and it belongs to Talaud archipelago. This study aims to identify the species of terrestrial wildlife in Miangas Island. Observations used the direct encounter method starting at 7:00 to 17:00 pm and they were conducted through four times visits in October and December 2015, April and May 2016. Some species were found, such as 15 species of birds, 3 species of lizards, 1 snake and 1 species of Arthropods. Hirundapus caudacutus and Butastur indicus are migrant bird species. Lamprolepis smaragdina is green and classified as tree climber type. It is included to hybrid lizard type of the Pacific and the Philippines. Based on IUCN database, Eos histrio is classified as endangered group (E), Ducula pickeringii as vulnerable (V) Todirhamphus enigma enigma is classified as near threatened group (NT), Birgus latro is classified as Data deficient (DD), while Butastur indicus, Lanius Schach, Nectarinia jugular plateni, Todirhamphus chloris, Hirundo tahitica, Hirundapus caudacutus, Egretta sacra, Ardea alba, Anthus cervinus, Motacilla cinerea, Cuculus saturatus, Passer Montanus, Ducula pickeringii, Eutropis multicarinata multicarinata, Lamprolepis smaragdina, Emoia caeruleocauda and Laticauda laticauda are classified as low risk (LC).

Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Genotypic Characteristic of Campylobacter spp. Isolates from Free-Living Birds in Poland.

Campylobacter spp. is the most commonly reported, bacterial cause of human foodborne infection worldwide. Commercial poultry and free-living birds are natural reservoirs of three particular species: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari. The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of 43 Campylobacter strains, obtained from free-living birds, in Poland. In total, 700 birds were examined. The strains were isolated from 43 birds (6.14%) from the feces of 7 wild bird species: Mallard ducks Anas platyrhynchos (29 positive/121 tested), great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo (5/77), velvet scoters Melanitta fusca (4/30), tawny owls Strix aluco (2/5), common buzzard Buteo buteo (1/3), rook Corvus frugilegus (1/6), and Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanus (1/30). Thirty-eight (88.37%) of obtained strains belonged to C. jejuni and five (11.63%) to C. coli. Other 428 examined birds from different bird species were Campylobacter negative. The antimicrobial susceptibility to nine antimicrobials was also studied in investigated isolates of Campylobacter spp. Sixteen of the examined strains (37.21% of all positive samples) showed susceptibility to all of the nine antimicrobials. Moreover, the prevalence of selected virulence genes, such as flaA, cadF, ceuE, virB11, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC were all analyzed. The virulence gene that was found most frequently in total number of Campylobacter strains was ceuE (72.10%) and other genes, such as flaA, cadF, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC, were found in over 60% of all examined strains. Variable antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of different virulence genes of examined strains, isolated from free-living birds, suggest that special attention should be given to wild birds and any potential approaches to the control of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter should be discussed.

Agri-environment scheme enhances breeding populations of some priority farmland birds in Northern Ireland

ABSTRACTCapsule: The abundance of Tree sparrow Passer montanus, House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, three priority farmland birds, increased over a 5-year period in response to a targeted agri-environment scheme (AES).Aims: To assess the effects of a targeted AES on the abundance of a suite of farmland bird species over a 5-year period.Methods: We compare temporal changes in abundance of 12 farmland bird species of conservation concern on 33 AES and 22 control farms in County Down, Northern Ireland. Five of these species were designated targets for conservation action under the Countryside Management Scheme (CMS).Results: CMS management was associated with more positive changes in abundance for three of the five target species and more negative changes for one target species (albeit caused mainly by a large reduction at a single farm). CMS management had little influence on the abundance of non-target species or on avian species richness. Farm-scale changes in abundance were generally unrelated to the extent of local CMS provision, the only exception involved House Sparrow and seed-rich winter habitats.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that generic AES land management can improve the population status of target farmland birds on farms with AES management.

Molt in Birds Inhabiting a Human-Dominated Habitat

Molt is one of the biological processes in the life of birds that requires high energy. Therefore, it usually occurs when food is abundant. However, molt and breeding overlap have been recorded in the tropics. There are very few studies on bird molting patterns in Indonesia. This study aimed at describing molt in birds that inhabit a human-dominated habitat in Bogor Agricultural University Campus in Bogor, West Java. Molt of primary feathers of adult birds were checked during bird monitoring using mist nets from August 2010 to December 2013. Occurrence of brood patch as indicator of breeding stage was also recorded. Molt data were obtained from 230 adult birds from 29 species. Molts occurred from February to December, with most birds having active molts in July and October. Breeding occurred in March, April, July, and October, with the peak of breeding occurring in March. Molt and breeding overlap were identified only in three species, i.e. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), Horsfield's Babbler (Malacocincla sepiarium), and Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trochileum). This study suggests that resources in the study site are available for conservation of bird community in human-dominated habitat. However, further research is needed to assess food availability and bird breeding success.

Breeding parameter changes in two syntopic urban Sparrow species with contrasting population trends

The number of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) in urban populations has decreased considerably in recent decades in many parts of Europe, particularly in its western part. In Warsaw (Poland), between the 1970s/1980s and the 2000s a decline of almost 50% was recorded. During the same period, Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus), a species also known to have decreased in western Europe, increased significantly in Warsaw. This paper addresses the changes in breeding parameters of both species between the 1980s and the 2000s, i.e., in the period when their numbers changed significantly. Both species have advanced their breeding periods. Despite that the advancement was more significant in the House Sparrow, it did not appear to influence the number of breeding attempts per year, which increased in the Tree Sparrow. In addition, clutch size increased in the Tree Sparrow but not in the House Sparrow. In both species, the level of egg losses did not change, while the nestlings losses decreased, resulting in higher average brood productivity. The annual breeding productivity increased in both species due to fewer breeding losses, and in the Tree Sparrow due to a high number of broods per season. The results suggest that food availability for sparrow nestlings (likely arhtropod resources) in the urban habitats of Warsaw are sufficient to ensure both sparrow species a high level of breeding success. This contrasts with the conclusions of studies of urban House Sparrow populations in western Europe. the strong improvement in Tree Sparrow breeding productivity may be a factor that has determinen the growth of its population in recent times.

Intraclutch eggshell colour variation in birds: are females able to identify their eggs individually?

BackgroundOne possibility suggested regarding female post-mating strategies is differential allocation into offspring investment. Female birds produce not only the largest, but also most colourful eggs of all oviparous taxa. Larger eggs provide space for bigger embryos, or more nutrition for their development, but the question why eggs are more colourful and why there is variation in eggshell colouration remains. In this context, the focus of interest has been to explain inter-clutch variation but in many bird species, eggshell colouration also varies within a clutch. Surprisingly, less attention has been paid to this phenomenon. Therefore, we propose the “female egg recognition” hypothesis, suggesting that mothers use colour characteristics to interpret egg attributes and allocate further investment into each egg accordingly. To evaluate the feasibility of the hypothesis, we tested several underlying predictions and examined their suitability using a dataset from our tree sparrow (Passer montanus) study. We predict (i) substantial within-clutch variation in eggshell colouration which, (ii) should be related to laying sequence, (iii) reflect egg quality and, (iv) should stimulate a female response.MethodsEggshell coloration data were obtained via digital photography under standardized conditions, taken after clutch completion. Lightness (L*), representing the achromatic properties of an egg has been chosen as the most important predictor in dark cavities and was related to egg quality and position in the nest.ResultsIn our tree sparrows, first and mainly last eggs were less pigmented, providing information about laying order. Egg volume, which predicts chick quality, positively correlates with eggshell coloration. Finally, we could show that female tree sparrows placed darker, but not bigger, eggs into more central incubation positions.DiscussionAll basic prerequisites for the “female egg recognition” hypothesis are fulfilled. In this context practicability and feasibility of the hypothesis and alternative explanations are discussed. However future work is necessary to determine a direct effect on offspring condition.

Factors determining presence of passerines breeding within White Stork Ciconia ciconia nests

Nests of White Stork Ciconia ciconia are commonly used by various passerines as nesting sites. In this study, we investigated factors determining presence and number of pairs of species breeding within White Stork nests in an extensive farmland in NE Poland. In 133 (57%) out of 233 White Stork nests, we found at least one breeding pair of passerine bird. These were from three species: House Sparrows Passer domesticus (68% of 133 nests with co-breeding), Tree Sparrows Passer montanus (65%), and Starlings Sturnus vulgaris (30%). The probability of breeding passerines within White Stork nests increased with increasing nest thickness, and was significantly higher in currently occupied nests. Sparrows were more likely to breed in White Stork nests located on electricity poles, situated closer to settlements and surrounded mainly by arable fields where meadows were not prevalent. In this paper, we show that White Stork nests are favorable nesting sites for passerines, as they are well insulated and provide an anti-predatory shield.

Assessment of Bird Species in Central Mindanao University, Bukidnon, Philippines

Birds are important indicators to determine the quality of habitat. They played an important role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystem. This study aims to determine the species of birds and its diversity within the Central Mindanao University main campus. A line transect method combined with bird watching technique were used within the two month avian survey. A total of 27 species belonging to 21 families were recorded namely, Accipitridae, Alcedinidae, Apodidae, Ardeidae, Artamidae, Bucesotidae, Campephagidae, Columbidae, Corvidae, Dicaeidae, Estrildidae, Hirundiniidae, Laniidae, Meropidae, Nectariniidae, Phasianidae, Pycnonotidae, Sturnidae and Sylviidae. Out of the 27 bird species observed, 18 resident, 3 resident-migrant, 5 Philippine endemic and 1 island endemic. The most observed species are Euarasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) and followed by an introduced species which was Feral Pigeon (Columba livia). Most of the species observed were commonly found in urban communities, agroecosystem and along the forest edge. Some species of birds belonging to family Nictariniidae and Dicaeidae are associated in areas with flowering trees and there are seldom observed in other points. The average diversity of all points H’= 0.94 which is quiet low and it requires more sampling effort and other technique to record silent or shy species.

Relationships between tree sparrow Passer montanus fledging success and the quantity and quality of agricultural habitats – A model comparison study

Changes in land use due to agricultural intensification are a key anthropogenic cause of biodiversity declines impacting invertebrate, plant and bird populations. This study assesses whether fledging success in the tree sparrow, a farmland bird that has declined by over 94% since 1970, is best described by patterns of agricultural habitat coverage or by the quality (measured by invertebrate chick food abundance) of these habitat patches. We were particularly interested in the effect of agri-environment scheme (AES) habitats on reproductive success, as AES's include habitat prescriptions that are employed to alleviate biodiversity problems. Our results indicated that the habitat coverage model best fitted the fledging success data and estimates from this model show that fledging success decreased with the area of wild bird seed mix and grassland cover within the average adult foraging range. Habitat coverage models are currently the most popular method of investigating AES – bird relationships and our findings provide support to such studies. These models could be used to assess whether AES farmland bird conservation strategies are successfully improving reproductive success.

455. Records of Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) in Provideniya, Providensky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

455. Records of Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) in Provideniya, Providensky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia