Western marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus

2021 ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
Nicolantonio Agostini
Keyword(s):  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus

Close to the Madding Crowd: How Resilient are Imperilled Mediterranean Urban Wetlands?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Aouadi ◽  
Farrah Samraoui ◽  
Laid Touati ◽  
Riad Nedjah ◽  
Lynda Souiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Ixobrychus Minutus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50%) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. Seasonal changes in the diversity of waterbirds, including the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, reflected the importance of the site as a staging and wintering area for many migratory species. The long-term study also suggested that breeding waterbirds species respond differentially to the loss and degradation of habitats, as highlighted by the resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, like the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.

scholarly journals How hazardous is the Sahara Desert crossing for migratory birds? Indications from satellite tracking of raptors

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roine Strandberg ◽  
Raymond H. G. Klaassen ◽  
Mikael Hake ◽  
Thomas Alerstam
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Satellite Tracking ◽  
Sahara Desert ◽  
Annual Cycles ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Course Changes ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Migrating Birds

We investigated the risk associated with crossing the Sahara Desert for migrating birds by evaluating more than 90 journeys across this desert by four species of raptors (osprey Pandion haliaetus , honey buzzard Pernis apivorus , marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus and Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo ) recorded by satellite telemetry. Forty per cent of the crossings included events of aberrant behaviours, such as abrupt course changes, slow travel speeds, interruptions, aborted crossings followed by retreats from the desert and failed crossings due to death, indicating difficulties for the migrants. The mortality during the Sahara crossing was 31 per cent per crossing attempt for juveniles (first autumn migration), compared with only 2 per cent for adults (autumn and spring combined). Mortality associated with the Sahara passage made up a substantial fraction (up to about half for juveniles) of the total annual mortality, demonstrating that this passage has a profound influence on survival and fitness of migrants. Aberrant behaviours resulted in late arrival at the breeding grounds and an increased probability of breeding failure (carry-over effects). This study also demonstrates that satellite tracking can be a powerful method to reveal when and where birds are exposed to enhanced risk and mortality during their annual cycles.

scholarly journals Changes in the waterbird community of the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, 1980–2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS OUDMAN ◽  
HANS SCHEKKERMAN ◽  
AMADOU KIDEE ◽  
MARC VAN ROOMEN ◽  
MOHAMED CAMARA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Atlantic ◽  
The Past ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Atlantic Flyway ◽  
Banc D’Arguin ◽  
East Atlantic Flyway ◽  
Red Knot ◽  
Made In ◽  
Banc D'arguin

SummaryThe Parc National du Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania hosts the largest concentrations of coastal waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway. In spite of this importance, a review of the changes in the numbers of waterbirds in the area is lacking since the first complete count in 1980. Here we analysed the seven complete waterbird counts made since then, and the additional yearly counts made in one subunit (Iwik region) since 2003. We present evidence for changes in the community composition of waterbirds over the past four decades. Total waterbird numbers showed a decrease between 1980 and 2017, with only Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus showing a significant increase in numbers. Five species showed significant declines: Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus, Red Knot Calidris canutus, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, and Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. In the remaining species, the variation in numbers between counts was too large, and the number of complete counts too small, for trends to be detected. The yearly counts at Iwik region also showed sharp decreases in the numbers of Red Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Marsh Harrier, but not of Long-tailed Cormorant and Eurasian Curlew. A multivariate analysis revealed a significant change in species composition over time, which was caused mainly by changes in the species depending on the intertidal mudflats for feeding (generally in decline) vs. the species depending on fish and crustaceans in the sublittoral and offshore zones (often showing increases).

scholarly journals Polychlorinated biphenyls in raptor and owl eggs in the Czech Republic

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kustova ◽  
M. Vavrova ◽  
ILiterak
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Pcb Congeners ◽  
Milvus Migrans ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Black Kite ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Lipid Weight ◽  
Aquila Heliaca

In 2001, raptor and owl eggs were collected for the purpose of detection of contamination by poly­chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at 15 sites in the southeastern area of the Czech Republic. In total 31 unhatched eggs of 4 raptor species and 3 owl species were examined. PCB determination was carried out by high-resolution gas chromatography. PCB content was expressed in μg per 1 kg of lipid weight for the major PCB congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, serving as indicators. In all examined eggs the indicator PCB congeners were found. The ranges of total values of indicator PCB congeners found in different raptor and owl species were as follows: kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 37.0 and 44.3 (n = 2), black kite (Milvus migrans) 28.3–40.5 (n = 3), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) 66.4 (n = 1), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 45.1 (n = 1), barn owl (Tyto alba) 20.6–46.1 (n = 17), long-eared owl (Asio otus) 32.0–41.9 (n = 6) and tawny owl (Strix aluco) 47.5 (n = 1) μg/kg of lipid weight. PCB congener 153 was the one most frequently found.

Can Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus prey on Great Bustard Otis tarda?

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-68
Author(s):  
Hashem Mirzanejad ◽  
Jafar Gholami ◽  
Ali Turk Qashqaei
Keyword(s):  
Great Bustard ◽  
Otis Tarda ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus

Hematology and blood chemistry of the marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

1992 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Lavin ◽  
R Cuenca ◽  
I Marco ◽  
R Velarde ◽  
L Viñas
Keyword(s):  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus

scholarly journals Individuality in bird migration: routes and timing

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannis Vardanis ◽  
Raymond H. G. Klaassen ◽  
Roine Strandberg ◽  
Thomas Alerstam
Keyword(s):  
Migration Routes ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
New Era ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Term Variation ◽  
Timing Of Migration ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Repeatability

The exploration of animal migration has entered a new era with individual-based tracking during multiple years. Here, we investigated repeated migratory journeys of a long-distance migrating bird, the marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus , in order to analyse the variation within and between individuals with respect to routes and timing. We found that there was a stronger individual repeatability in time than in space. Thus, the annual timing of migration varied much less between repeated journeys of the same individual than between different individuals, while there was considerable variation in the routes of the same individual on repeated journeys. The overall contrast in repeatability between time and space was unexpected and may be owing to strong endogenous control of timing, while short-term variation in environmental conditions (weather and habitat) might promote route flexibility. The individual variation in migration routes indicates that the birds navigate mainly by other means than detailed route recapitulation based on landmark recognition.

scholarly journals Molecular identification of Sarcocystis halieti in the muscles of two species of birds of prey from Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petras Prakas ◽  
Antonio Bea ◽  
Evelina Juozaitytė-Ngugu ◽  
Iñaki Olano ◽  
Diego Villanúa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
Great Cormorant ◽  
Phalacrocorax Carbo ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Milvus Migrans ◽  
Marsh Harrier ◽  
Black Kite ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Host Life

Abstract Background Members of the genus Sarcocystis are protozoan parasites characterized by a prey–predator two-host life-cycle. Sarcocysts are formed in the muscles or central nervous system of the intermediate host (IH), while sporocysts develop in the small intestine of the definitive host (DH). Various birds of prey have been confirmed to be DH for Sarcocystis spp. Three Sarcocystis species, S. wobeseri, S. halieti and S. falcatula, have been identified in the muscles of birds of prey, of which the latter are known to be pathogenic and can cause encephalitis in various birds. The aim of this study was to identify Sarcocystis spp. in the muscles of birds of prey from Spain. Methods Between 2019 and 2020, muscle tissue samples taken from 59 birds of prey admitted to the Wildlife Recovery Centre in Ilundain (Navarra, Spain) were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. Sarcocysts in fresh squashed samples were morphologically characterized under the light microscope (LM). Sarcocystis spp. were identified by means of 28S ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer 1 sequence analysis. Results Microscopic examination of squashed tissue samples stained with methylene blue revealed the presence of sarcocysts in three of the 59 (5.1%) birds examined. Only one sarcocyst type was observed under the LM. Sarcocysts were thread-like (1050–2160 × 130–158 μm) and had a thin (0.7–1.4 μm) and smooth cyst wall. Septa divided the cysts into compartments filled with banana-shaped (5.9 × 1.7 μm) bradyzoites. On the basis of DNA sequence results, S. halieti was identified in the western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and the black kite (Milvus migrans) for the first time. Sarcocysts of S. halieti were shorter and wider compared to those observed in the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and the herring gull (Larus argentatus). According to current knowledge, S. halieti may infect birds belonging to four different orders: Suliformes, Charadriiformes, Strigiformes and Accipitriformes. Conclusions This is the first report of S. halieti in the western marsh harrier and the black kite as IH. So far, little research has been conducted on birds of prey as IH for Sarcocystis spp. These results indicate that further studies combining morphological, histopathological, and molecular methods are required. Graphical abstract

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