scholarly journals Hunting Behavior and Diet of Cooper's Hawks: An Urban View of the Small-Bird-In-Winter Paradigm

The Condor ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 474-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy C. Roth ◽  
Steven L. Lima
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Hunting Behavior ◽  
Zenaida Macroura ◽  
Accipiter Cooperii ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Cooper's Hawks

Abstract We examined the predatory behavior of wintering urban Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii). Eight Cooper's Hawks (7 female, 1 male) were radio-tracked intensively during two winter periods from 1999–2001. We observed 179 attacks, 35 of which were successful, for an overall attack success rate of 20%. We recorded an additional 44 kills resulting from unobserved attacks. European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), and Rock Doves (Columba livia) made up 95% of the prey attacked and 91% of the diet. Smaller birds (<70 g), such as House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), were numerous in the study area but were rarely attacked. Mammals were not included in the diet. Surprise attacks (initiated at close range, often from behind an obstruction), were more successful than “open” attacks, although the latter were more frequent. In addition, attacks on single individuals were significantly more successful than those on flocks. Nonetheless, many attacks were attempted on large flocks. Our results suggest that the smaller bird species (<70 g) in our urban study area were at low risk of predation from Cooper's Hawks. Comportamiento de Caza y Dieta de Accipiter cooperii: Una Visión Urbana del Paradigma de Aves Pequeñas durante el Invierno Resumen. Examinamos el comportamiento de depredación de individuos urbanos de la especie Accipiter cooperii durante el período de invernada. Ocho individuos (siete hembras y un macho) fueron seguidos intensamente mediante radio telemetría durante dos períodos invernales desde 1999 hasta 2001. Observamos 179 ataques, de los cuales 35 fueron exitosos, con una tasa general de éxito de ataque del 20%. Adicionalmente, registramos 44 muertes que resultaron de ataques no observados. Sturnus vulgaris, Zenaida macroura y Columba livia compusieron el 95% de las presas atacadas y el 91% de la dieta. Aves pequeñas (<70 g), como Passer domesticus, fueron muy abundantes en el área de estudio pero fueron raramente atacadas. La dieta no incluyó mamíferos. Los ataques sorpresivos (iniciados a una corta distancia, generalmente desde detrás de algún objeto) fueron más exitosos que ataques “abiertos,” aunque estos últimos fueron más frecuentes. Además, los ataques sobre individuos que se encontraban solos fueron significativamente más exitosos que aquellos sobre bandadas. Sin embargo, muchos ataques fueron intentados sobre bandadas grandes. Nuestros resultados sugieren que en nuestra área de estudio urbana las especies de aves más pequeñas (<70 g) tenían un menor riesgo de ser depredadas por A. cooperii.

scholarly journals Formation of nesting bird communities in parks on the gradient of anthropic load in Kiev metropolis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (23) ◽  
pp. 41-59
Author(s):  
T. V. Shupova ◽  
◽  
S. N. Koniakin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Ficedula Albicollis ◽  
Erithacus Rubecula ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
Nesting Density

In settlements, safe places for birds nesting and feeding need to be created. The purpose of the work is to assess the state and identify vectors of the formation of nesting bird communities in parks under the pressure of anthropic load in the metropolis. In parks of Kyiv 62 species of birds nest. Such faunogenetic complexes like European nemoral (25.0–53.3%), Desert-mountain (12.0–27.8%) and Forest-steppe (6.9–25.0%) prevail. The number of community species in each of parks is 49–12, the average nesting density is 0.08±0.02–0.9±0.19 pairs / ha, and the dispersion is 0.12–1.62. With the combination of anthropic load on biotopes of more than 140 points with a small area of parks (2.0–16.5 ha), the species composition of communities decreases, and the average nesting density and density dispersion increase. Dominated by density: Parus major, Columba livia, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdus merula, Passer domesticus, Passer montanus, Fringilla coelebs, Columba palumbus, Apus apus, Ficedula albicollis, Erithacus rubecula, Turdus pilaris. All birds in communities are obligate synanthropes (12.9%; n=62) or hemisinanthropes. Obligate synanthropes are distributed in communities of 0-7 species. According to the gradient of increasing anthropic load on parks, logarithmic trends show a slight increase in the percentage share of obligate synanthropes in the species composition and in the number of breeding pairs. 47–70% nest on trees, 0–14.3% in shrubs, 0–13.0% on ground and in buildings. In parks, birds (16–38% of the species composition), in addition to using species-specific stations, nest in the cavities of buildings. Such species like Motacilla alba L., Sturnus vulgaris, Ficedula albicollis, Muscicapa striata Pallas, Erithacus rubecula, Parus major, Passer domesticus, Passer montanus nest in this way. Due to this nesting strategy, the need of the birds in hollows and the dependence on the woodpeckers in the community decreases. High parameters of the Shannon index (1.51–3.14) and Pielou index (0.61–0.95) were revealed, with low data of the Berger-Parker index (0.15–0.61). With an anthropic load of more than 160 points, there is a sharp decrease in species diversity, evenness of species, and increased dominance pressure. Cluster analysis showed the division of bird communities into similarity groups according to the area of the parks, the proximity of parks to the outskirts of the city and large forest tracts of the area and specifics of the anthropic load.

scholarly journals Crop Depredation by Birds in Deccan Plateau, India

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Ashokrao Kale ◽  
Nandkishor Dudhe ◽  
Raju Kasambe ◽  
Prosun Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Ploceus Philippinus ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Actual Field ◽  
Deccan Plateau ◽  
Sowing Period

Extent of crop depredation in agricultural fields of groundnut, pearl millet, peas, sorghum and sunflower was assessed in Pune, Akola and Amravati, the three productive districts of Maharashtra, India. The study included interviews with the farmers, identification of the bird species responsible for the crop depredation and actual field assessment of damage. The problem of crop depredation is severe for the crops mostly during harvesting season. Most farmers were not satisfied with the conventional bird repelling techniques. A maximum depredation was observed by Sorghum crops by house sparrows Passer domesticus, baya weavers Ploceus philippinus, and rose-ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri, accounting to 52% of the total damage. Blue rock pigeons Columba livia damaged 42% of the peas crop (chick peas and pigeon peas), while house sparrows and baya weaver damaged the groundnut crop by 26% in the sampling plots. House sparrow Passer domesticus and baya weaver Ploceus philippinus damaged the groundnut crop in the sampling plots just after the sowing period. The sustainable solution for reducing crop depredation is a need for the farmers and also such techniques will help avoid direct or indirect effects of use of lethal bird control techniques on bird species.

scholarly journals Inventario de aves del Barrio Centro de la ciudad de Luján, Buenos Aires, durante el poríodo no reproductivo

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Cecilia E. Ramirez ◽  
Germán Marateo ◽  
Horacio De Beláustegui
Keyword(s):  
Buenos Aires ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Sturnus Vulgaris ◽  
Milvago Chimango

La conservación de la biodiversidad requiere del conocimiento previo sobre la distribución de los hábitats y de las especies silvestres que habitan en ellos. Conocer la diversidad ornitológica de las ciudades permite no solo conservar a las especies que habitan en ellas sino también a su entorno. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un inventario de la riqueza de aves que visitan y habitan las áreas verdes urbanas (AVU) del barrio centro de la ciudad de Luján (provincia de Buenos Aires) durante el periodo invernal. Se empleó el método de conteo por puntos de radio fijo, con una duración de 10 minutos en cada uno registrándose las especies observadas. Entre las 11 AVU se muestrearon 28 puntos, con 4 repeticiones en cada uno. Se registraron 29 especies distribuidas en 8 órdenes y 20 familias. Las familias mayormente representadas fueron: Columbidae (5 especies), Furnariidae (2 especies), Tyrannidae (2 especies), Turdidae (2 especies) y Thraupidae (2 especies). La especies más frecuentes fueron: Milvago chimango, Zenaida auriculata, Furnarius rufus, Pitangus sulphhuratus, Turdus rufiventris, Mimus saturninus y Passer domesticus. Se registraron tres especies exóticas: P. domesticus, Sturnus vulgaris y Columba livia. La mayor riqueza y frecuencia de especies se dieron en las AVU de mayor tamaño. Se plantea la importancia de conservar espacios verdes de gran tamaño dentro de las ciudades y realizar actualizaciones anuales del inventario de aves a través de programas de monitoreo sistemáticos. De esta manera, los datos recabados pueden ser utilizados como indicadores de calidad de los ecosistemas urbanos.

scholarly journals Avifauna within the Main Campus of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 1246-1252
Author(s):  
Hassan A Rudayni
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Avian Diversity ◽  
Main Campus ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
New Policies

Avian diversity of two zones within the main campus of IMSIU University was studied during the period from July 2019 to June 2020. A total number of 1,653 individual birds was recorded across the main campus which falls under fifteen species belonging to thirteen families. Out of this number, 760 individual of them were recorded in Zone-A versus 893 individual in Zone-B. Species richness in Zone-A was 15 while species richness in Zone-B was 13. Census index of the Birds was recorded as follows: 4.6 Birds/ha and 7.9 Birds/ha in both Zones A and B, respectively. Bird species sighted was higher in Zone-B as compared with Zone-A, as indicated by Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H) which accounts for 1.83 in Zone-A and 1.65 in Zone-B. Pigeon (Columba livia), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) were among the most frequently sighted. From the current study, it is recommended that Zone-B be pedestrianized for the enrichment and protection of the avian species. Also, new policies should be put forward by the relevant authority within the main campus to maintain avian diversity, such as expanding afforestation and green landscapes, in addition to the establishment of artificial lakes and ponds.

scholarly journals Population Densities of Birds Breeding in Urbanized Habitats in the Grabiszyn District in the City of Wrocław

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kopij
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Pica Pica ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Passer Montanus ◽  
The City

Abstract Studies were carried out in 2010 by mean of simplified version of the mapping method. The study area (395 ha) was located close to the city centre. It comprised a mosaic of urbanized habitats, with a clear dominance of green areas, such as parks (41.1 ha), gardens, cemeteries and tree clumps. A total of 48 breeding bird species were recorded in the whole study area. The most common (<25 pairs/100 ha) were Passer domesticus, Passer montanus, Sturnus vulgaris, Parus caeruleus, Parus major, Apus apus and Columba livia. Numerous (7-15 pairs/100 ha) were also the following species: Columba palumbus, Turdus pilaris, Sylvia atricapilla, Serinus serinus, Turdus merula and Pica pica. Insectivorous birds were the most common birds constituting 63.3%, and granivorous -32.6% of all pairs recorded. Most birds nested in tree holes (39.3%), in/on buildings (30.2%) and in trees/shrubs (25.6%). Distribution of breeding pairs of 23 bird species was presented on maps. Population trends for 17 species were documented. Rapid increase in numbers of Turdus pilaris, Corvus cornix and Phoenicurus phoenicurus and decrease of Pica pica were recorded.

scholarly journals Impact of an ice storm on resident bird populations in eastern North America

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 661-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonatan Blais ◽  
Jean-Pierre L. Savard ◽  
Jean Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Parus Atricapillus ◽  
Cyanocitta Cristata ◽  
Zenaida Macroura ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Picoides Pubescens ◽  
Control Versus ◽  
Brown Creeper

The January 1998 ice storm was very dramatic, particularly in Québec, with five days of nearly non-stop freezing rain and temperatures below 0 °C. We compared results of Christmas Bird Counts (complete counts conducted during one day within a 12-km radius by volunteers in winter) conducted before (1997–1998) and after (1999) the storm in control areas (16 sites) and in affected areas (15 sites). Abundance ratios (after/before) were significantly higher in control versus affected sites for Rock Dove Columba livia, Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura, Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus, Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata, Black-Capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus and House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Paired -t- tests also indicated that the abundance of Brown Creeper Certhia americana and Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens was lower in affected sites following the storm. Only European Starling Sturnus vulgaris abundance increased significantly in affected sites. Species found in open habitats that forage mostly on the ground were less affected by the storm than tree foragers were. The effect of the storm on bird populations was quite significant and increased frequency of such storms could have drastic consequences on bird populations in the long term. Key words: ice storm, birds, Christmas Bird Counts, winter survival, climate change

Three hundred years of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) persecution in Germany

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. SEITZ
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Second World War ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
World War ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Second World

Modernization of agriculture, economic development and population increase after the end of the Thirty Years' War caused authorities in many parts of Germany to decree the eradication of so-called pest animals, including the House Sparrow. Farmers were given targets, and had to deliver the heads of sparrows in proportion to the size of their farms or pay fines. At the end of the eighteenth century German ornithologists argued against the eradication of the sparrows. During the mid-nineteenth century, C. L. Gloger, the pioneer of bird protection in Germany, emphasized the value of the House Sparrow in controlling insect plagues. Many decrees were abolished because either they had not been obeyed, or had resulted in people protecting sparrows so that they always had enough for their “deliveries”. Surprisingly, various ornithologists, including Ernst Hartert and the most famous German bird conservationist Freiherr Berlepsch, joined in the war against sparrows at the beginning of the twentieth century, because sparrows were regarded as competitors of more useful bird species. After the Second World War, sparrows were poisoned in large numbers. Persecution of sparrows ended in Germany in the 1970s. The long period of persecution had a significant but not long-lasting impact on House Sparrow populations, and therefore cannot be regarded as a factor in the recent decline of this species in urban and rural areas of western and central Europe.

Polygyny Leads to Disproportionate Recruitment in Urban Cooper’s Hawks (Accipiter cooperii)

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy G. Driscoll ◽  
Robert N. Rosenfield
Keyword(s):  
Accipiter Cooperii ◽  
Cooper's Hawks

Variation in the respiratory quotient of birds and implications for indirect calorimetry using measurements of carbon dioxide production

1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Walsberg ◽  
B Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Power Consumption ◽  
Indirect Calorimetry ◽  
Respiratory Quotient ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Production ◽  
Accurate Estimation

Determination of animal power consumption by indirect calorimetry relies upon accurate estimation of the thermal equivalent of oxygen consumed or carbon dioxide produced. This estimate is typically based upon measurement or assumption of the respiratory quotient (RQ), the ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed. This ratio is used to indicate the mixture of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins in the metabolic substrate. In this analysis, we report the RQ for two bird species, Passer domesticus and Auriparus flaviceps, under several dietary and fasting regimes. RQ commonly differed substantially from those typically assumed in studies of energy metabolism and often included values below those explainable by current knowledge. Errors that could result from these unexpected RQ values can be large and could present the primary limit to the accuracy of power consumption estimates based upon measurement of carbon dioxide production.

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