Status of water birds in Haripura-Baur Reservoir, western Terai-Arc landscape, Uttarakhand, India

We surveyed water birds in Haripura-Baur Reservoir using total count method between 2013 and 2015. A total of 65 species were recorded representing eight orders and 14 families. Numerically Anatidae was the dominant family followed by Ardeidae and Scolopacidae. Common Coot Fulica atra, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera, and Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula were dominant species in the reservoir. The Shannon diversity of water birds was more or less consistent over the years and ranged between 2.56 (2013–14) and 2.23 (2015–16). The reservoir supports water birds having declining population trends globally (41% of species), including three Vulnerable (Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Sarus Crane Grus antigone and four Near Threatened species (Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, and River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii). Bird species belong to four feeding guilds with the domination of the carnivore group. The current information is expected to serve as preliminary database of water birds for further research and monitoring.

Biología reproductiva de anátidos (Familia Anatidae) en la Laguna de Zumpango, Estado de México

La Laguna de Zumpango se ha convertido en un humedal urbano fuertemente influenciado por actividades humanas, lo que ha puesto en riesgo su biodiversidad. Esta laguna es uno de los últimos relictos de la Cuenca de México que aún alberga una gran diversidad de aves acuáticas y varias especies la utilizan como zona de anidación. En este estudio describimos algunos aspectos de la biología reproductiva de aves de la familia Anatidae en la Laguna de Zumpango. Registramos cinco especies que anidan en esta zona: el pijije canelo (Dendrocygna bicolor), el pato mexicano (Anas platyrhynchos diazi), la cerceta canela (Anas cyanoptera), el pato tepalcate (Oxyura jamaicensis), y una especie que había sido considerada como visitante de invierno: el pato friso (Anas strepera). La temporada reproductiva de 2015 inició en febrero y culminó en septiembre. Describimos el sustrato utilizado para la construcción del nido, el tamaño de nidada para tres especies y el éxito de eclosión para una. Determinamos entre las principales causas de fracaso reproductivo el abandono del nido, la reducción de la nidada y la infertilidad de los huevos. Reportamos por primera vez cuidado parental cooperativo para O. jamaicensis. La Laguna de Zumpango es un hábitat primordial para la reproducción de aves acuáticas como los patos, que ven afectado su éxito de anidación por la continua transformación y perturbación de su hábitat. Sugerimos medidas que ayuden a mitigar la perturbación de las aves y sus nidos durante la temporada reproductiva y para mantener las zonas de anidación.

Winter Waterbird Community Composition and Use at Created Wetlands in West Virginia, USA

Information on nonbreeding waterbirds using created wetlands in the Central Appalachian region of the United States is limited. We compared waterbird communities of two managed wetlands, created in 2013 and 2001, in West Virginia. We observed 27 species of waterbirds. Species richness and diversity were generally similar between the wetlands, but species composition and use differed.Branta canadensis(Canada Geese),Anas strepera(Gadwall),Bucephala albeola(Buffleheads),Aythya affinis(Lesser Scaup), andAythya collaris(Ring-Necked Ducks) used the older wetland most frequently. Disparities in species use were the highest in March. The older wetland differed from the younger in supporting species such as diving ducks, possibly due to differences in size, vegetation, water depth, and microtopography. However, the ability to provide habitat for waterbirds during the winter was determined to be comparable between wetlands, despite their age difference.

Timing of nesting of upland-nesting ducks in the Canadian prairies and its relation to spring wetland conditions

Timing of breeding varies among waterfowl species and individuals, with strong effects on reproductive success, and may be related to habitat quality. Here, we analyse the start, span, and end of the nesting season for nine upland-nesting duck species at 166 Canadian Prairie–Parkland sites over 34 years to better characterize nesting patterns and test whether and how species respond to May pond abundances. Nesting metrics were compared between single-site versus multiple-site studies over 7 years to evaluate the effects of spatial scale and methodology. Strong, consistent differences in start of nesting were found among duck species, being earliest for Northern Pintail (Anas acuta L., 1758) and Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L., 1758), followed by Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata L., 1758), American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis Gmelin, 1789 = Anas carolinensis Gmelin, 1789), Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors L., 1766), American Wigeon (Anas americana Gmelin, 1789), Gadwall (Anas strepera L., 1758), and lastly by Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838)) and White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca deglandi (Bonaparte, 1850)). Span and end of nesting were related to May pond abundances, but the strength of these relationships varied among species, presumably reflecting the flexible (re-)nesting potential of individuals of some species in response to wetland-habitat quality.

Видовой состав фауны эндопаразитов диких птиц отряда Пластинчатоклювые (Anseriformes) в регионе Северного Кавказа

В статье приведены сведения о видовом составе эндопаразитофауны у семи видов птиц отряда Пластинчатоклювые (Anseriformes) в регионе Северного Кавказа. У видов Anser anser L., Anser erythropus, Anas platyrhynehos L., Anas strepera L., Anas crecca L., Tadorna tadorna L., Mergus merganser L. определено 13 видов рода эймерия, 116 видов био- и геогельминтов, в том числе: Trematoda — 87 видов, Cestoda — 14 видов, Nematoda — 10 видов, Acantocephala — 5 видов с тенденцией формирования в организме птиц простых и сложных многокомпонентных паразитокомплексов. Исследования проводили в 2006 – 2014 гг. на базах ФГУ «Эльбрусский национальный парк», ФГУ «Кабардино-Балкарский государственный высокогорный заповедник», в 12 охотничьих хозяйствах и участках Кабардино-Балкарской Республики и Республики Дагестан на диких и синантропных птицах разного возраста. Паразитологическим исследованиям подвергнуты семь видов диких птиц отряда Пластинчатоклювые (всего 660 особей): серый гусь Anser anser L. — 110 особей, малый белолобый гусь Anser erythropus — 95 особей, обыкновенная кряква Anas platyrhynehos L. — 216 особей, серая утка Anas strepera L. — 100 особей, чирок-свистунок Anas crecca L. — 45 особей, пеганка Tadorna tadorna L. — 76 особей, большой крохаль Mergus merganser L. — 18 особей. Для изучения видовой структуры эндопаразитов применяли методы полного и неполного гельминтологического вскрытия. Использованы статистические методы дисперсионного анализа; вычисления выполнены с помощью программы Statistica 6.0.

Insight into Wetland Winter Migratory Avian Biodiversity in Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana State in India

Hathnikund is a place in Yamunanagar District in Haryana where Yamuna Rivers forms a sort of Lake over raised plinth after descending into plains from Himalayas nearby Ponta Sahib town near Haryana-Himachal Border. At the same time, Tajewala Barrage is one more pool like scenic place where waters of Western Yamuna Canal are collected by Govt. of Haryana for subsequent multipurpose. In the present studies, wetland bird’s diversity of Hathnikund has been recorded, analyzed and interpreted. The studies were conducted for a period of three years (September 2005-March 2008) during winter season only. The present studies revealed that in all 47 species of wetland birds belonging to 9 orders and 13 families were observed during September 2005-March 2011. Out of these 47 species of wetland birds, 26 species were Winter Migratory, 13 Resident and 9 species were Local Migratory. In so far as Abundance Status is concerned, 26 species of birds were Common, Nine species were UnCommon, Seven Species of birds were Very Common and five species were Rare. Truely winter migratory birds observed belong to Orders, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes and Chardriiformes. Prominent migratory birds include, amongst others, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Gadwall Anas strepera, Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula which come to Hathini Kund during winter from far off places like Russia, Siberia, South and East Asia, China and Caspian region. It is recommended that Hathnikund be further promoted as Winter Halting Place for migratory birds by adding islands within the Water Sheet, the construction of wide margins on the peripheral zones and a rich canopy of endemic trees by implanted in plenty. It is further recommended that Eco-tourism facilities be generated at Hathnikund, linking biodiversity with society’s economic upliftment, employment and awareness. It is also recommended that Fish angling sport can be an added attraction to Bird Watching. In correlation with mystery-wrapped natural ambiences of Hathnikund, it can be sold to tourists of foreign origin thus generating exchange earning facility. As of today, no body known about Hathnikund except amateur bird watchers who turn out to be tourists too, if appropriate lodging boarding facilities are available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v5i1.5953 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.5(1) 2011 39-43