Which Bird Species Groups Use Highway Roadside Verges and Why?

Abstract ContextHuman disturbance threatens many bird species worldwide. Flight-initiation distances (FIDs) offer a scientific basis for separation distances between fauna and agents of disturbance, such as people. However, most available FIDs are from single-species groups. Multi-species flocks have received scant attention with regard to their FIDs; yet, they are extremely common in nature. AimTo examine suitable separation distances for mixed-species shorebird flocks by comparing single-species FIDs with those of the same species in mixed-species flocks. MethodWe examined FIDs in mixed- and single-species flocks of four shorebirds (double-banded plover, Charadrius bicinctus, red-capped plover, Charadrius ruficapillus, red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis, and curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea). FIDs were collected in comparable habitat and sites with similar (i.e. highly restricted) regimes of human occurrence. ResultsFIDs of single-species flocks of these species differed in their FID to an approaching walker. Different species permutations in mixed-species flocks resulted in different FIDs. FIDs of mixed-species flocks were lower than or the same as the FIDs of single-species groups of constituent species. Conclusions and implicationsIn our study system, separation distances (e.g. buffers; zones that exclude humans to reduce shorebird disturbance) based on FIDs of single species also would be efficacious for mixed-species flocks containing those species.

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Use of a real-time PCR to explore the intensity of Plasmodium spp. infections in native, endemic and introduced New Zealand birds

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182017000919 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 144 (13) ◽

pp. 1743-1751 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. C. SIJBRANDA ◽

B. D. GARTRELL ◽

Z. L. GRANGE ◽

L. HOWE

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Real Time ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Endemic Species ◽

Avian Malaria ◽

Bird Species ◽

Parasite Load ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Species Groups ◽

New Zealand Birds

SUMMARYAvian malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp., is an emerging disease in New Zealand (NZ). To detect Plasmodium spp. infection and quantify parasite load in NZ birds, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qPCR) protocol was used and compared with a nested PCR (nPCR) assay. A total of 202 blood samples from 14 bird species with known nPCR results were tested. The qPCR prevalences for introduced, native and endemic species groups were 70, 11 and 21%, respectively, with a sensitivity and specificity of 96·7 and 98%, respectively, for the qPCR, while a sensitivity and specificity of 80·9 and 85·4% were determined for the nPCR. The qPCR appeared to be more sensitive in detecting lower levels of parasitaemia. The mean parasite load was significantly higher in introduced bird species (2245 parasites per 10 000 erythrocytes) compared with endemic species (31·5 parasites per 10 000 erythrocytes). In NZ robins (Petroica longipes), a significantly lower packed cell volume was found in birds that were positive for Plasmodium spp. compared with birds that were negative. Our data suggest that introduced bird species, such as blackbirds (Turdus merula), have a higher tolerance for circulating parasite stages of Plasmodium spp., indicating that introduced species are an important reservoir of avian malaria due to a high infection prevalence and parasite load.

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Species richness and biodiversity conservation priorities in British Columbia, Canada

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z05-172 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 20-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Kathryn E Freemark ◽

Mark Meyers ◽

Denis White ◽

Leanna D Warman ◽

A Ross Kiester ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

British Columbia ◽

Species Richness ◽

Bird Species ◽

Species Group ◽

Programming Algorithm ◽

Conservation Priorities ◽

Species At Risk ◽

Distribution Ranges ◽

Species Groups

Patterns in the geographic distribution of seven species groups were used to identify important areas for conservation in British Columbia, Canada. Potential priority sites for conservation were determined using an integer programming algorithm that maximized the number of species represented in the minimum number of sites. Sweep analyses were used to determine how well the set of priority sites identified for each species group represented the other species groups. Although areas of highest species richness were different for each species group, they all included sites in the southern interior of British Columbia, where there is limited protection. Furthermore, less than 13% of the distribution ranges for 23 of 25 bird species of special conservation concern were located within existing protected areas. Species at risk of extinction were poorly represented (26%–42%) in priority sets of sites selected for amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, since these sites were generally scattered throughout the province. However, priority sites for species at risk represented 72%–91% of the species in other groups. Therefore, conservation activities in sites identified for such species have the potential to benefit many other species. These sites could be investigated in more detail to augment existing conservation and protection efforts in British Columbia.

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Secretive Marsh Bird Species Co-Occurrences and Habitat Associations Across the Midwest, USA

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management ◽

10.3996/012011-jfwm-001 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 49-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Jason R. Bolenbaugh ◽

David G. Krementz ◽

Sarah E. Lehnen

Keyword(s):

Local Level ◽

Bird Species ◽

Open Water ◽

Habitat Associations ◽

Marsh Bird ◽

Marsh Birds ◽

Least Bittern ◽

Species Groups ◽

Water Birds ◽

Water Vegetation

Abstract Because secretive marsh birds are difficult to detect, population status and habitat use for these birds are not well known. We conducted repeated surveys for secretive marsh birds across 264 sites in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Joint Venture region to estimate abundance, occupancy, and detection probabilities during the 2008 and 2009 breeding seasons. We identified species groups based on observed species co-occurrences. Two species, least bittern Ixobrychus exilis and American bittern Botaurus lentiginosus, co-occurred with other species less often than expected by chance, and two species groups, rails (Virginia rail Rallus limicola and sora Porzana carolina) and open-water birds (pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps, common moorhen Gallinula chloropus, and American coot Fulica americana; coots were only surveyed in 2009), co-occurred more often than expected by chance. These groupings were consistent between years. We then estimated the relation of these species and groups to landscape and local site characteristics by using zero-inflated abundance models that accounted for incomplete detection. At the landscape level (5-km radius), the amount of emergent herbaceous wetland was positively associated with least bittern occupancy, whereas the amount of woody wetland was negatively associated with least bittern, rail, and open-water bird occupancy. At the local level, habitat variables that were associated with abundance were not consistent among groups or between years, with the exception that both least bitterns and open-water birds had a strong positive association between abundance and water–vegetation interspersion. Land managers interested in marsh bird management or conservation may want to consider focusing efforts on landscapes with high amounts of emergent herbaceous wetland and low amounts of woody wetland, and managing for high amounts of water–vegetation interspersion within the wetland.

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Predation risk and social factors influence vigilance in a social bird species

10.32942/osf.io/kdrvp ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mercedes Burgueño ◽

Paul J. Haverkamp ◽

Michael Griesser

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Social Factors ◽

Mixed Models ◽

Bird Species ◽

Social Functions ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Social Monitoring ◽

Open Forest ◽

Group Members ◽

Species Groups

Predation is a critical selective force, facilitating the evolution of anti-predatory behaviours, such as vigilance. However, this behaviour can also be used to monitor conspecifics. Here we evaluate the antipredator and social functions of vigilance in Siberian jays. In this bird species, groups can include retained offspring that remain with their parents well beyond independence, as well as non-kin non-breeders. Mixed models showed that breeders in groups with retained offspring increased vigilance in older, open forest patches more suitable for hawk hunting. Moreover, breeders increased their vigilance in groups with more non-kin members, particularly away from forest edges where tracking of group members is more difficult. Finally, female breeders maintained their vigilance in groups with more non-kin members while males reduced vigilance, reflecting a larger need for social monitoring as male non-kin are often dominant over female breeders. These findings highlight that both predation risk and social factors influence the investment in vigilance.

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Influence of Treefall Gaps on Distributions of Breeding Birds Within Interior Old-Growth Stands in Białowieża Forest, Poland

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/102.2.267 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 102 (2) ◽

pp. 267-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Robert J. Fuller

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Breeding Birds ◽

Old Growth ◽

Point Counts ◽

Treefall Gaps ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Closed Canopy ◽

Species Groups ◽

Phylloscopus Sibilatrix ◽

Young Growth

AbstractBreeding birds were counted using point counts at 50 treefall gaps and 50 closed-canopy sites within one of the largest tracts of old-growth forest in Europe. Numbers of species and individuals were slightly, but significantly, higher at gaps. Overall bird species composition differed substantially at gaps and non-gaps. Dunnock (Prunella modularis), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), and Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) were significantly more abundant at gaps. Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) and Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) were significantly more abundant at non-gaps. Warblers (Sylviidae), ground insectivores, ground nesters, and short-distance migrants were significantly more abundant at gaps, but no species groups were more abundant at non-gaps. Eight species breeding in forest edges and young plantations in eastern Poland were not recorded in natural treefall gaps. The proportion of tropical migrant passerines was considerably higher in closed-canopy stands (0.47) than at gaps (0.29), which contrasts with the situation in most managed European forests where the highest proportions of tropical migrants typically occur in young-growth forests.

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Preserving species populations in the boreal zone in a changing climate: contrasting trends of bird species groups in a protected area network

Nature Conservation ◽

10.3897/natureconservation.3.3635 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 1-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Raimo Virkkala ◽

Ari Rajasärkkä

Keyword(s):

Protected Area ◽

Bird Species ◽

Area Network ◽

Boreal Zone ◽

Protected Area Network ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Species Groups

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A Keragaman dan Populasi Burung Endemik pada Hotspot Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan Produksi Wae Sapalewa Seram Utara

MAKILA ◽

10.30598/makila.v14i2.2930 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 99-113

Author(s):

Yan Eliazer Persulessy ◽

J.D Putuhena

Keyword(s):

Research Method ◽

Bird Species ◽

Bird Diversity ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Point Count ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

High Conservation ◽

Species Groups ◽

Critical Location ◽

Bird Species Diversity

Endemic bird species have a high conservation value concentrated in a critical location for conservation with an exciting value in endemic bird species groups. The site of concentration of endemic bird species can be referred to as Endemic Bird Diversity Hotspot. There are seven bird diversity hotspot locations identified in the KPHP Wae Sapalewa region in North Seram, with a good bird species diversity, including endemic bird species. The study aimed to examine the variety and population of endemic bird species at seven hotspot locations within kphp Wae Sapalewa. The research method uses Point Count, which is placed in the transek. The results showed 121 species of birds, consisting of 9 species, namely: Basilornis corythaix, Cacatua moluccensis, Gymnophaps mada, Eos semilarvata, Lorius domicella, Halcyon lazuli, Rhipidura dedemi, Philemon subcorniculatus, and Myzomela blasii. Most endemic bird species have a low population density. This condition shows the need for conservation action for endemic bird species groups in these hotspot locations. KPHP Wae Sapalewa organization has the opportunity to take appropriate conservation actions to accelerate the existence of these endemic bird species.

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Habitat models and their transfer for single and multi species groups: a case study of carabids in an alluvial forest

Ecography ◽

10.1034/j.1600-0587.2001.d01-204.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 483-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Aletta Bonn ◽

Boris Schroder

Keyword(s):

Habitat Models ◽

Species Groups ◽

Alluvial Forest

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Functional evenness of bird communities varies along the elevational gradient in Europe: Conservation implications

10.32942/osf.io/sx9n8 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Federico Morelli ◽

Yanina

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Elevation Gradient ◽

Bird Species ◽

Elevational Gradient ◽

Negative Association ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Breeding Bird ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Large Spatial Scale ◽

Functional Evenness

ContextThe negative association between elevation and species richness is a well-recognized pattern in macro-ecology. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate changes in functional evenness of breeding bird communities along an elevation gradient in Europe. MethodsUsing the bird data from the EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds we estimated an index of functional evenness which can be assumed as a measure of the potential resilience of communities.ResultsOur findings confirm the existence of a negative association between elevation and bird species richness in all European eco regions. However, we also explored a novel aspect of this relationship, important for conservation: Our findings provide evidence at large spatial scale of a negative association between the functional evenness (potential community resilience) and elevation, independent of the eco region. We also found that the Natura2000 protected areas covers the territory most in need of protection, those characterized by bird communities with low potential resilience, in hilly and mountainous areas.ConclusionsThese results draw attention to European areas occupied by bird communities characterized by a potential lower capacity to respond to strong ecological changes, and, therefore, potentially more exposed to risks for conservation.

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