scholarly journals Maintenance of livestock farming may buffer population decline of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERTO AMBROSINI ◽  
DIEGO RUBOLINI ◽  
PAOLA TROVÒ ◽  
GIOVANNI LIBERINI ◽  
MARCO BANDINI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Small Density ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Agricultural Areas

SummaryPopulations of farmland and long-distance migratory birds have suffered steep, often dramatic, declines in the last few decades. The Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica is a small migratory farmland bird that breeds synanthropically in farms, particularly where livestock is reared. Populations of this species have suffered marked declines in different parts of its European breeding range. Here, we first report a dramatic decline of 8.4% per year of the number of breeding pairs and the extinction of 19.6% of the colonies in three agricultural areas in Northern Italy, which differ in general ecological conditions. This decline was estimated on a very large sample of 190 randomly chosen farms where breeding pairs were censused both in 2001 and 2010, and occurred at different rates in the three study areas. Barn Swallows declined most (9.3% per year) in an intensively cultivated area where colonies are widespread, and least (1.3% per year) in a hilly area with a comparatively small density of colonies. Variation in livestock farming significantly influenced population dynamics. Specifically, cessation of livestock farming at a given farm between the two census years resulted in a significantly steeper decline in the number of breeding pairs compared to farms where livestock farming was maintained. Our findings highlight the fact that European populations of Barn Swallows breeding in intensively cultivated agro-ecosystems may become significantly depleted in the next decades, and indicate that maintenance of livestock farming may contribute to buffering the population decline of this species.

scholarly journals Trace elements fingerprint of feathers differs between breeding and non-breeding areas in an Afro-Palearctic migratory bird, the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Parolini ◽  
Michela Sturini ◽  
Federica Maraschi ◽  
Antonella Profumo ◽  
Alessandra Costanzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Passerine Bird ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Breeding Grounds

AbstractTrace elements are widespread contaminants that can potentially threaten ecosystems and human health. Considering their distribution and toxicity, monitoring their presence in animals represents a priority in environmental risk assessment. Migratory birds have been suggested to be useful biomonitors for trace elements because they can provide information on contaminants even from remote areas that they may exploit during their life cycle. The aim of this study was to analyse the contamination fingerprint of trace elements of African non-breeding staging grounds and European breeding areas in a long-distance migratory passerine bird, the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). We collected feathers grown in the African non-breeding grounds and those grown in the breeding areas of Northern Italy and measured the levels of 12 trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) by DRC-ICP-MS. Multivariate analysis showed that elemental profiles of feathers grown in African non-breeding areas and in the Italian breeding ones clearly differed, with feathers grown in Africa showing higher concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni, but lower concentrations of As, Se and Zn, compared to those grown in Italy. In addition, levels of trace elements were age-dependent, with higher levels in older individuals than in younger ones. Our results add to the growing evidence that feathers of long-distance migratory birds are useful tools to monitor trace elements contamination profiles across continents.

scholarly journals Hayfields enhance colony size of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica in northern Italy

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
BEATRICE SICURELLA ◽  
MANUELA CAPRIOLI ◽  
ANDREA ROMANO ◽  
MARIA ROMANO ◽  
DIEGO RUBOLINI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colony Size ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Hatching Date ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Ecological Features

SummaryThe widespread decline of farmland birds is a major issue of biological conservation in European countries. The Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica is a flagship species for farmland bird conservation owing to its aesthetic and cultural value and to the sharp decline observed in several populations. Based on a long-term monitoring project of a population in a protected area of Northern Italy, we documented a dramatic decline of 56.6% between 1999 and 2011, corresponding to a decrease of 6.59% each year. We also showed that colonies were on average larger in farms with livestock than those without livestock, and that colony size increased with increasing extent of hayfields within 200 m from the colony in farms without livestock, but not in those with livestock. Hayfield extent at greater distances did not influence population size or trend. Cessation of livestock farming therefore determined a decline in local colonies, but this decline may be buffered by an increase in hayfield extent within 200 m from the farm. However, variation in the ecological features of breeding sites explained only a fraction of the observed population decline, suggesting that ecological conditions during migration and wintering may be crucial in affecting population trends. Mean hatching date of first broods advanced in recent years, but less so in farms with, than without, livestock. Independently of year, mean hatching date advanced more in farms with greater extent of hayfields within 200 m of the colony. Reproductive success, measured as the mean number of fledged offspring per nest, declined significantly with hatching date, but was not affected by hayfield extent. Conversely, nestling quality, in terms of body mass and feather development, improved with increasing extent of hayfields around the colony, particularly in late-hatched first clutches. Our findings suggest that conservation strategies for this declining species should include both the maintenance of livestock farming and the enlargement of hayfields close to breeding colonies, particularly in farms where livestock farming has ceased.

scholarly journals Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada?

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 979-987
Author(s):  
Beverly McClenaghan ◽  
Kevin C.R. Kerr ◽  
Erica Nol
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Barn Swallows

Animal populations are often limited by food availability, particularly during the breeding season. In birds, food limitation can impact several components of the reproductive cycle, including the timing of reproduction and reproductive output. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758) have experienced a population decline over the past 40 years in North America that is thought to be related to changes in prey availability. We monitored Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour and prey availability throughout two breeding seasons at 10 sites in Ontario, Canada, to test the hypothesis that limited prey availability during the breeding season affected reproductive behaviour. We found no relationship between food availability and number of eggs laid or number of young fledged. Neither did we observe higher rates of second brooding or more pairs nesting at breeding sites with higher food availability. Barn Swallows did not time their reproductive effort to maximize prey availability during the nesting period, but any mismatch in phenology of prey and bird reproduction at a breeding site was not associated with lower reproductive success. The results of this study did not support our hypothesis and suggest that Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour was not negatively affected by limited prey availability on the breeding grounds.

Flight speed, foraging efficiency, and daily energy budget of the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1176-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horacio de la Cueva ◽  
Robert W. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Flight Speed ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Aerodynamic Model ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Energy Store ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Barn Swallows

Aerodynamic power equations predict optimal speeds at which birds ought to fly if they are to maximize time spent in the air on a given energy store (minimum power speed, Vmp), distance covered using a given amount of fuel (maximum range speed, Vmr), and rate of delivering food to the chicks in the nest (Vnest), or maximize the daily energy balance (VDBAL). With the aerodynamic model employed, these speeds are 5.3, 7.0, 7.9, and 8.9 m∙s−1, respectively, for the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica. A comparison of the predicted flight speed with both the mean and median flight speeds (8 m∙s−1 in both cases; n = 821) recorded with Doppler radar indicates that Barn Swallows fly at speeds not significantly different from Vnest. The true sample size was unknown, and realistic sample sizes are drawn with bootstrap procedures and compared with those given by the number of measurements (821); no significant differences were found. To test the model, energy requirements for growth, prey density, and time spent foraging were varied independently in a sensitivity analysis. Large but realistic changes in these three variables do not contradict the model and predict speeds within the range measured in the field.

scholarly journals Conspecific cues encourage Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) prospecting, but not nesting, at new nesting structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-245
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Campomizzi ◽  
Zoé M. Lebrun-Southcott ◽  
Kristyn Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Manipulative Experiments ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Conspecific Cues

Shed-like structures are being built to provide Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) nesting habitat in response to population declines. However, Barn Swallow use of these structures is unavailable in the literature. We conducted three manipulative experiments to test if adding conspecific cues (i.e., vocalizations and decoys) to newly-built structures affected prospecting visits by Barn Swallows (1) during pre-breeding, (2) during post-breeding, and (3) during or after broadcasts of vocalizations compared to before broadcasts. Additionally, we monitored nesting following pre- and post-breeding cues. We built one nesting structure with and one without conspecific cues at each of 10 study sites in southern Ontario, Canada where nesting habitat was recently lost. We detected about twice as many Barn Swallows immediately after conspecific broadcasts compared to before. We did not find substantial differences in abundance and interactions with new nesting structures for other comparisons involving conspecific cues. Following pre-breeding cues at 10 sites, six nests were built in three of 10 structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to five nests in four of 10 structures without cues. In the subsequent breeding season following post-breeding cues at eight sites, four nests were built in two of eight structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to four nests in three of eight structures without cues. Conspecific vocalizations appeared to increase prospecting behaviour, but not the number of nests, at new nesting structures. The paucity of nests on new structures suggests that building shed-like structures may not be an effective method of mitigating loss of nesting habitat.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) fledglings use crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than pasture and other habitat types

The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe K Boynton ◽  
Nancy A Mahony ◽  
Tony D Williams
Keyword(s):  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Natal Habitat ◽  
Movement Distance ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Declining Species

Abstract Populations of birds that forage on aerial insects have been declining across North America for several decades, but the main causes of and reasons for geographical variation in these declines remains unclear. We examined the habitat use and survival of post-fledging Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, using VHF radio telemetry. We predicted that fledgling Barn Swallows hatched in higher-quality natal habitat (pasture) would fledge at higher quality, stay closest to the nest, disproportionately use higher-quality habitat during the post-fledge stage, and have higher survival rates in the region. Contrary to our predictions, we found that natal habitat (crop, pasture, or non-agriculture) had no effect on fledgling quality or movement distance. Barn Swallow fledglings used crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than other habitat types, including pasture. Barn Swallows had low post-fledging survival rates (0.44; 95% CI: 0.35–0.57), which could negatively influence the population trend of the species in this region. While natal habitat had only minor effects, crop habitat appears to be important for fledgling Barn Swallows and, therefore, a decline in this habitat type could have further negative implications for an already declining species.

scholarly journals The reproductive benefits of livestock farming in barn swallows Hirundo rustica: quality of nest site or foraging habitat?

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1340-1347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin U. Grüebler ◽  
Fränzi Korner-Nievergelt ◽  
Johann Von Hirschheydt
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Barn Swallows

Flight speeds of the barn swallow, Hirundo rustica

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Blake ◽  
R. Kolotylo ◽  
H. de la Cueva
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Standard Metabolic Rate ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Flight Behaviour ◽  
Maximum Range ◽  
Group A ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Group B

A Doppler radar hand gun was used to measure flight speeds of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) to determine whether mean flight speed coincides with either the minimum power, Vmp, or maximum range, Vmr, speeds predicted by aerodynamic theory. In addition, flight speeds are also compared with the maximum range speed, V′mr, when the mechanical equivalent of the standard metabolic rate is included in the power curve. A total of 821 speed recordings were divided into two groups based on observed flight behaviour. Group A had characteristically low (<0.5 m above the ground) and straight flight paths. Group B flew higher (>0.5 m) and erratically. Mean flight speeds of 8.6 and 6.8 m∙s−1 were determined for groups A and B, respectively. When compared separately, both means are significantly different from predicted values of Vmp (= 4.2 m∙s−1, p < 0.001), Vmr (= 5.6 m∙s−1, p < 0.001), and V′mr (= 6.2 m∙s−1, p < 0.001). It is likely that the birds fly at significantly higher speeds than the predicted optima for most routine flight activities. The penalties involved in departing from Vmp, Vmr, and V′mr (assessed as percent increase in total aerodynamic power relative to Vmp, Vmr, or V′mr) are substantial.

The breeding ecology of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis in South China

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Pagani-Núñez ◽  
Chao He ◽  
Biao Li ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Ruchuan He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Chinese Populations ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Nestling Condition ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract:Some animal species are found in many environments and over wide distributions and may have adaptations to live in such different areas. The barn swallow Hirundo rustica is an example of a species that is able to thrive over a large geographic range and in many different environments. However, little is known of the breeding biology of this species in southern China. Here, we studied 18 breeding pairs of barn swallow H. r. gutturalis in Nanning, Guangxi, between April and July 2015. We studied its breeding fitness and parental investment. We found that tropical barn swallows bred from early April to early July and had from two to five fledglings per brood. We also recorded a strong seasonal decrease of breeding success and nestling condition that has also been found in temperate regions. Nevertheless, nestlings showed relatively long wings and low body masses, which may have enabled three sets of parents to raise three broods per breeding season, more than in other Chinese populations. Generally, barn swallows breeding in the tropics showed a similar ecology to their conspecifics from temperate regions, probably due to the species’ niche specificity in urban settings. Morphological differences detected in this study require further research based on larger sample sizes and on more detailed data from different climatic regions of Asia.

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