scholarly journals Reindeer carcasses provide foraging habitat for several bird species of the alpine tundra.

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 36-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy Badia
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Anthus Pratensis ◽  
Meadow Pipit ◽  
Passerine Species ◽  
Calcarius Lapponicus ◽  
Southern Norway ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Near Threatened

On August of 2016, 323 wild tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) were struck by lightning on southern Norway, killing virtually the entire herd.  During fieldwork for parallel studies in 2017, we opportunistically registered the occurrence and behavior of avian species on carcasses from this mass die-off. Several passerine species other than corvids were observed actively foraging on arthropods that are typically associated with carcass decomposition, such as blowfly (Calliphoridae sp.) adults and larvae. In decreasing order of abundance, five passerine species (excluding corvids) were observed taking arthropods at the site: the Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis, least concern), Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe, least concern), Common ReedBunting(Emberizaschoeniclus, near threatened), Bluethroat (Lusciniasvecica, near threatened), and Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus, vulnerable) (status according to IUCN). Previous studies on these passerines have documented a very sharp decline in their abundance in Norway. The insect abundance associated with ungulate carcasses may provide an important food resource for such species, and may impact their life history, fitness, and eventually population dynamics. This mechanism, however, has received almost no attention from the scientific community, and warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals Hur påverkas fågelfaunan av upphörd betesdrift – data från en 26 år lång inventeringsstudie

Ornis Svecica ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (3–4) ◽  
pp. 143-150
Author(s):  
Thomas Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
General Pattern ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Farmland Birds ◽  
Survey Period ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Anthus Pratensis ◽  
Meadow Pipit ◽  
Bird Fauna ◽  
Point Count Method

The breeding bird fauna of a 1.6 km2 large grassland area in southwestern Sweden was monitored in 1987–2012, using the point count method. The area was grazed by approximately 500 cattle until 2006, and the grass height was then at most 10–15 cm except for higher tussocks. From 2007 onwards, when the grazing had ceased, the grass increased in height to 20–30 cm and became much thicker. The average number of bird species per year was 44.7 over the 26 year survey period. Numbers of some farmland birds such as Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Skylark Alauda arvensis, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, and Linnet Carduelis cannabina decreased in the study area, following the general pattern in the whole of Sweden. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis, Corn Crake Crex crex, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra and Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia increased in the area, but decreased in Sweden in general over the same period. The local changes in bird numbers in the study area seem mainly to be caused by an increased grass height and thickness as a consequence of ceased cattle grazing.

scholarly journals Brood parasitism on Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis by Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus in two mountain areas in Norway

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Jan Rolf Berstad ◽  
Bård Stokke ◽  
Arne Moksnes
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Anthus Pratensis ◽  
Meadow Pipit ◽  
Southern Norway ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Term Monitoring

In the period 2001–2014 we studied Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus brood parasitism on Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis in two mountain areas; one located in the eastern and one in the western part of southern Norway. In the total material of 211 Meadow Pipit nests, 14 (6.6%) were parasitized by the cuckoo. The parasitism rate showed considerable variation both in time and space, with highest rate in one of the areas in 2005 (35.3%). Cuckoo eggs were quite similar in appearance to host eggs. In spite of this, 30% of the cuckoo eggs were rejected by desertion. No host ejection of parasite eggs was observed. Nest predation rates were rather low. Due to climate change, it has been hypothesized that the cuckoo, a long-distance migrant, may arrive too late to successfully utilize the Meadow Pipit because the latter is better able to advance the breeding season due to a shorter migration distance. Our data lend support to the mismatch hypothesis, but the low sample size regarding cases of parasitism does not allow us to make any firm conclusions. Long-term monitoring of host-parasite interactions in specific populations is important to further disclose the mechanisms responsible for the decline in the Norwegian cuckoo population.

scholarly journals Low intensity, mixed livestock grazing improves the breeding abundance of a common insectivorous passerine

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 636-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren M Evans ◽  
Stephen M Redpath ◽  
Sharon A Evans ◽  
David A Elston ◽  
Charles J Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Ecosystem Change ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Anthus Pratensis ◽  
Meadow Pipit

Abstract Livestock grazing is a major driver of ecosystem change and has been associated with significant declines in various bird species in Britain and worldwide. However, there is little experimental evidence to show how grazing affects bird populations. We manipulated livestock densities in a replicated field experiment and found that mixed sheep and cattle grazing, at low intensity, improved the breeding abundance of a common upland passerine, the meadow pipit Anthus pratensis , after two years. Plots stocked with sheep alone (at high or low density) or not stocked at all held fewer pipit territories. Despite a year-on-year decline in pairs of meadow pipits in intensively grazed plots, we found no effect of sheep number on breeding abundance. Our results support the hypothesis that mixed species of herbivores generate greater heterogeneity in vegetation structure, which modifies prey availability, resulting in a greater abundance of birds. The results of our study should inform the management of grassland areas and enhance the abundance of some bird species, particularly in areas that have seen significant shifts from mixed livestock grazing to grazing dominated by single species of animals.

scholarly journals Livestock grazing affects the egg size of an insectivorous passerine

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren M Evans ◽  
Stephen M Redpath ◽  
Sharon A Evans ◽  
David A Elston ◽  
Peter Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Egg Size ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Ecosystem Change ◽  
Anthus Pratensis ◽  
Meadow Pipit ◽  
First Time

Livestock grazing is a major driver of ecosystem change, and has been associated with significant declines in various bird species worldwide. In Britain, there is particular concern that severe grazing pressure is deleteriously affecting vegetation and birds in upland regions. However, the mechanism by which grazing affects birds is unclear. Here, we report for the first time, to our knowledge, that sheep grazing pressure affects the egg size of a common upland passerine: the meadow pipit Anthus pratensis . We manipulated sheep stocking densities in a replicated field experiment, and found that plots with the highest stocking density contained nests with the smallest eggs, and that plots with low stocking density contained nests with the largest eggs. However, eggs laid in ungrazed plots were also small, suggesting that either too many sheep or their removal from upland areas might have a detrimental effect on pipit egg size. We found no significant effect on fledging success but the reduced post-fledging survival of young from smaller eggs, as seen in other studies, could partly explain declines in upland birds.

scholarly journals Predicting the Future Distribution of Ara rubrogenys, an Endemic Endangered Bird Species of the Andes, Taking into Account Trophic Interactions

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Alain Hambuckers ◽  
Simon de Harenne ◽  
Eberth Rocha Ledezma ◽  
Lilian Zúñiga Zeballos ◽  
Louis François
Keyword(s):  
Food Resource ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Vegetation Models ◽  
Fertilizing Effect ◽  
The Impact

Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used with climate only to predict animal distribution changes. This approach however neglects the evolution of other components of the niche, like food resource availability. SDMs are also commonly used with plants. This also suffers limitations, notably an inability to capture the fertilizing effect of the rising CO2 concentration strengthening resilience to water stress. Alternatively, process-based dynamic vegetation models (DVMs) respond to CO2 concentration. To test the impact of the plant modelling method to model plant resources of animals, we studied the distribution of a Bolivian macaw, assuming that, under future climate, DVMs produce more conservative results than SDMs. We modelled the bird with an SDM driven by climate. For the plant, we used SDMs or a DVM. Under future climates, the macaw SDM showed increased probabilities of presence over the area of distribution and connected range extensions. For plants, SDMs did not forecast overall response. By contrast, the DVM produced increases of productivity, occupancy and diversity, also towards higher altitudes. The results offered positive perspectives for the macaw, more optimistic with the DVM than with the SDMs, than initially assumed. Nevertheless, major common threats remain, challenging the short-term survival of the macaw.

scholarly journals Prey, management and landscape requirements of an endangered population of the Woodlark Lullula arborea in Southwest Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Rösch ◽  
Pascal Aloisio ◽  
Martin H. Entling
Keyword(s):  
Food Resource ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Endangered Population ◽  
Rhine Valley ◽  
Territory Selection ◽  
Main Food Source ◽  
Upper Rhine

AbstractVineyards can be valuable habitats for biodiversity conservation. For example, in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) over a third of the state’s critically endangered Woodlark (Lullula arborea) population breeds in vineyards along the western margin of the Upper Rhine Valley. We here aim to elucidate how local ground cover management, food availability and the proximity to settlements affect territory selection by this bird species in the region. As climate, site conditions and management differ greatly from more continental or Mediterranean wine-growing areas, conditions for Woodlark conservation may differ as well.We compared 26 Woodlark territories in vineyards with 26 nearby reference areas from which Woodlarks were absent. We recorded vineyard ground cover in the inter-rows (% cover) as well as vegetation height and composition (forbs vs. grasses). Arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps, since they are the main food resource of Woodlarks during the breeding season. In addition, the distance to built-up areas was measured. The vegetation in Woodlark territories was shorter (mean 14.2 vs. 19.6 cm) and more dominated by forbs (39% vs. 27% cover) than in absence areas. The vegetation cover in the inter-rows had no effect on Woodlark territory presence or absence. Woodlarks also favoured areas with a higher abundance of arthropods (mean abundance 69.1 vs. 57.5) and a greater distance to built-up areas (mean distance 554 vs. 373 m). We conclude that to promote the Woodlark in wine-growing areas, short, forb-rich swards should be created, facilitating arthropod detectability. This is likely to require low levels of nitrogen fertilization since fertilizers favour tall-growing grasses that outcompete forbs. Pesticide applications should be kept at a minimum to enhance arthropods as the main food source for Woodlarks and their chicks. In addition, the expansion of settlements into breeding areas of Woodlarks should be avoided.

scholarly journals Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) survivorship following the ingestion of bird blood infected with Haemoproteus sp. parasites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayvion R. Adams ◽  
Andrew J. Golnar ◽  
Sarah A. Hamer ◽  
Michel A. Slotman ◽  
Gabriel L. Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Survival Time ◽  
Median Survival ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Median Survival Time ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Cardinalis Cardinalis ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Negative Controls

AbstractArthropod vectors are frequently exposed to a diverse assemblage of parasites, but the consequence of these infections on their biology and behavior are poorly understood. We experimentally evaluated whether the ingestion of a common protozoan parasite of avian hosts (Haemoproteus spp.; Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) impacted the survivorship of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). Blood was collected from wild northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) in College Station, Texas, and screened for the presence of Haemoproteus spp. parasites using microscopic and molecular methods. Experimental groups of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were offered Haemoproteus-positive cardinal blood through an artificial feeding apparatus, while control groups received Haemoproteus-negative cardinal blood or domestic canary (Serinus canaria domestica) blood. Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes exposed to Haemoproteus infected cardinal blood survived significantly fewer days than mosquitoes that ingested Haemoproteus-negative cardinal blood. The survival of mosquitoes fed on positive cardinal blood had a median survival time of 18 days post-exposure and the survival of mosquitoes fed on negative cardinal blood exceeded 50% across the 30 day observation period. Additionally, mosquitoes that fed on canary controls survived significantly fewer days than cardinal negative controls, with canary control mosquitoes having a median survival time of 17 days. This study further supports prior observations that Haemoproteus parasites can be pathogenic to bird-biting mosquitoes, and suggests that Haemoproteus parasites may indirectly suppress the transmission of co-circulating vector-borne pathogens by modulating vector survivorship. Our results also suggest that even in the absence of parasite infection, bloodmeals from different bird species can influence mosquito survivorship.

scholarly journals Fruiting phenology and consumption by birds in Ficus calyptroceras (Miq.) Miq. (Moraceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. RAGUSA-NETTO
Keyword(s):  
Food Resource ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Fruiting Phenology ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

Figs are a remarkable food resource to frugivores, mainly in periods of general fruit scarcity. Ficus calyptroceras Miq. (Moraceae) is the only fig species in a type of dry forest in western Brazil. In this study I examined the fruiting pattern as well as fig consumption by birds in F. calyptroceras. Although rainfall was highly seasonal, fruiting was aseasonal, since the monthly proportion of fruiting trees ranged from 4% to 14% (N = 50 trees). I recorded 22 bird species feeding on figs. In the wet season 20 bird species ate figs, while in the dry season 13 did. Parrots were the most important consumers. This group removed 72% and 40% of the figs consumed in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. No bird species increases fig consumption from dry to wet season. However, a group of bird species assumed as seed dispersers largely increases fig consumption from wet to dry season, suggesting the importance of this resource in the period of fruit scarcity. The results of this study points out the remarkable role that F. calyptroceras plays to frugivorous birds, in such a dry forest, since its fruits were widely consumed and were available all year round.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document