Role of three bird species in the life cycle of two Sarcocystis species (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in the Czech Republic

BackgroundBirds are one of the groups involved in the development of Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882, serving either as intermediate or definitive hosts. The white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758), red kite Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both Accipitriformes) and common starlings Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Passeriformes) were examined to elucidate their participation in the development of Sarcocystis, as well as to determine the specific identity of the parasites based on morphological and especially molecular analyses.MethodsIn 2020–2021, one white-tailed eagle, one red kite and five common starlings were parasitologically examined for the presence of Sarcocystis using flotation centrifugation coprological method and by wet mounts of intestinal mucosa scrapings and/or muscle samples. Positive samples were processed by light microscopy, histologically and followed molecularly at four genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 and cox1).ResultsThe white-tailed eagle harboured oocysts/sporocysts of S. arctica Gjerde et Schulze, 2014 in the intestinal mucosa, while the intestinal mucosa of the red kite and breasts and leg muscles of one common starling were positive to S. halieti Gjerde, Vikøren et Hamnes, 2018. Sequences from eagle shared 99.6 − 100% identity with each other and S. arctica in the red fox (V. vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Sequences from the common starling and red kite shared 100% identity with each other and with S. halieti in the great cormorant (P. carbo [Linnaeus, 1758]) from Lithuania and H. albicilla from Norway.ConclusionsThe white-tailed sea eagle (H. albicilla) acts as natural definitive host of S. arctica, whereas the common starling (St. vulgaris) and red kite (M. milvus) represent intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively, for S. halieti.

Seasonal differences in migration strategies of Red Kites (Milvus milvus) wintering in Spain

Red Kite shows a great variability in its migration strategies: most individuals in north-eastern Europe are migrants, but there is also a growing number of sedentary individuals. Here, we tagged 49 Red Kites wintering in Spain with GPS/satellite transmitters between 2013 and 2020 to study the autumn and spring migration between the breeding or summering areas in Central Europe and the wintering quarters in Spain. In first place, differences between immatures and adults were found for spring migration. Adults began the spring migration towards the northeast in February–March while the immature individuals began to migrate significantly later and showing a wider date range (February-June). Adults also takes significantly less days to arrive at their destinations (12 ± 5 days) and cover more distance per day (134.2 ± 37.1 km/day) than immatures (19 ± 11 days and 98.9 ± 21.2 km/day). In second place, we also found differences between spring and autumn migration (excluding immatures). Spring migrations were clearly faster and with less stopovers days than autumn migrations. Autumn migration began between mid-October and late November and two different behaviours were observed: most birds made a quick migration direct to the wintering areas with only some days of stopovers, but others prolonged the migration with long stops along the route. These results highlight a great variation in the migratory movements of Red Kite, not only according to age but also between individuals and seasons.

Primera localización de un dormidero de milano real Milvus milvus L., 1758 en un eucaliptal en Álava

During the 2020-2021 census to determine the wintering population of Red kite (Milvus milvus) in the Iberian peninsula by counting the number of communal roosts, one such roost was observed in a small reforested area of eucalyptus (genus Eucalyptus) in the northwest of the province of Álava (Basque Country-Spain). Although roosts located on this kind of arboreal substrate are rare, our observation suggests the hypothesis that Red kites will use eucalyptus if the atmospheric conditions are particularly adverse. Therefore, we propose that the distribution and winter ecology of Iberian breeding populations of Red kite be clarified with urgency, the study of which is hampered by the arrival of a multitude of conspecifics of central and northern-European origin in winter

A vanishing raptor in a Mediterranean island: an updated picture of Red kite (Milvus milvus) in Sardinia, Italy

In the 19th century, Red kite (Milvus milvus) was very common and widespread in Sardinia, but in the mid-900 an important decline occurred. Since the 1970s the species has been studied more continuously, but in recent years the published data seem contradictory. In 2018-2020, authors carried out specific research to collect data on the population of the Red kite in Sardinia exploring both the historical range of the species and areas where the species was reported in the past. In 2018-2020, we estimated 10-13 breeding pairs in an area of about 3,440 km2 located in the north west of Sardinia. As regard wintering, we estimated 30-40 birds in winters 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, whereas 90-110 birds were counted in winter 2020-2021.