Global birdwatching data reveal uneven consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Birdwatching is a global phenomenon involving many thousands of people. Citizen science generates data providing insights into global patterns of bird distribution across space and time, yet how the pandemic may cast a longer shadow remains unassessed. Here, we explore whether pandemic restrictions influenced observations globally from 2020-May 2021, considering also GDPc and tourism income. We analysed 10,338 bird species (93% of all bird species) and found that whilst high-income regions recover to pre-pandemic assessment rates quickly, middle and low-income regions remain at low levels. Furthermore, protected areas see huge losses in recorded richness. Whilst observer count increased overall, the number of bird species recorded dramatically decreased, especially in 2020. These trends are most marked in developing countries and regions, especially where tourism is important. Due to increased bushmeat consumption during the pandemic, some species may become more threatened, but with no data we cannot yet discern such trends.

Ru-Birds.RU, bird observations from Russia and neighbouring regions: an occurrence dataset

The dataset covers bird observation occurrences in Russia and neighbouring regions (ex-USSR countries and some other countries of Eastern and Western Europe) from 2001–2021. It is based on the internet platform “Online bird observation diaries” (ru-birds.ru), which allows professional ornithologists and amateur bird lovers to exchange their results and to jointly build a common collection of data. The taxonomic backbone of the occurrence dataset follows the standardised GBIF checklist dataset to ensure correct cross-linking of the names. Currently, the database contains 541,900 records of occurrences of 713 bird species, which makes it the largest dataset on birds of Russia and neighbouring regions published in GBIF. The occurrence dataset contributes to filling gaps in the bird distribution in Russia and Eastern Europe. It can be used for a deeper look at their populations, phenology and migrations over this area. The availability of special tools for verification of the entered information makes the database a valuable tool for analysing occurrences of non-native species, studying vagrancy, immigration, invasions and range dynamics. The dataset is regularly updated. Over the 11 months of 2021, it has increased by 98,165 occurrences.

The structure and organization of an Amazonian bird community remains little changed after nearly four decades

Documenting patterns of spatio-temporal change in hyper-diverse communities remains a challenge for tropical ecology, yet is increasingly urgent as some long-term studies have shown major declines in bird communities even in relatively undisturbed sites. In 1982, Terborgh et al. quantified the structure and organization of the bird community in a 97-ha. plot in southeastern Peru. We revisited the same plot in 2018 and repeated the same intense combination of methodologies as the original study in order to evaluate community-wide changes. Contrary to the results from studies elsewhere, we found little change in bird distribution and abundance within the plot, although there were some declines related to loss of mixed-species flocks with a high level of species interdependence. This apparent stability suggests that large-scale forest reserves such as Manu National Park may provide the conditions necessary for establishing refugia from at least some of the effects of global change on birds.

An annotated bird checklist of community-managed lands in Kailash Sacred Landscape-India, Kumaon Himalaya

In the Indian Himalayan region, community-managed lands such as community-managed forests and agriculture lands play an important role in conserving native biodiversity. Our avifaunal surveys done between 2013 and 2016 recorded 205 species belonging to 52 families. Two species were first records from Pithoragarh district. Six species are classified as Threatened and five as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List. Six are Schedule-I species under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In total, 63 migratory (local/altitudinal and long-range) and 81 Himalayan endemic species were observed. Overall, our observations reveal a niche providing both transient and perennial havens for resident and migrant avifauna in our study site’s landscape. Our findings suggest that despite human persistence in the landscape, diversity within avifaunal guilds is rich in the community-managed lands. We recommend further research to focus on understanding the factors governing the bird distribution and co-occurrence in the landscape. 

KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS BURUNG DI KEBUN CAMPURAN

Birds are one of the ecosystem components that have an important role in supporting the life cycle of organisms. The research objectives were to calculate the diversity of bird species and identify sources of bird feed in mixed gardens. Bird data were analyzed using Species Diversity Index, Species Richness Index, Species Abundance Index, dominance analysis, bird distribution analysis and species encounter level analysis, for vegetation analyzed based on the type and part eaten by the birds. In the mixed garden of Pandau Jaya Village, 27 species of birds were found consisting of 15 families. The types of birds that were frequently present were the Cucak Kutilang (Pycnonotus aurigaster) with 44 individuals and the Perkutut Jawa (Geopelia striata) with 37 individuals. Bird species diversity (H) in mixed gardens was relatively moderate with a value of 2.90, the Evenness Index (E) of 0.88 and the Reachennes Index (R) of 4.40. Vegetation types as a source of food: Mahogany, Jengkol, Jackfruit, Jambu Air, Acacia mangium, Rubber, Matoa, Salam, Angsana, Mango, Breadfruit, Rambutan, Longan, Starfruit, Sengon, Kersen, Lamtoro, Beringin, Ketapang, Mahang, Palm Oil , Coconut, Areca, Palm, Cassava, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Taro, Eggplant, Chili, Tekokak, Lengkuas, Sugarcane, Long Beans, Banana, Papaya, Flowers,Grasses.

Alcedoffula alcyonae Carriker (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) infesting belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (Linnaeus) (Aves: Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae), in Manitoba, Canada

Forty-one belted kingfishers, Megaceryle alcyon (Linnaeus) (Aves: Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae), from Manitoba, Canada were examined for ectoparasites in 1995–2020. One species of chewing louse, Alcedoffula alcyonae Carriker (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae), infested 48.8% of hosts. The mean intensity of infestation was 17.1, and mean abundance was 8.5 lice per bird. Distribution of infestation was highly aggregated. Although female lice outnumbered males, the sex ratio was not significantly different from 1.0. The ratio of nymphs to females was 2.6. An unidentified species of feather mite of the genus Proterothrix Gaud (Acari: Astigmatina: Proctophyllodidae) infested three of 35 hosts (8.6%). No mites were found in the quills of primary feathers from 19 birds, and no nasal mites were collected from 32.

BIRDS DISTRIBUTION IN PT EKOSISTEM KHATULISTIWA LESTARI, KUBU RAYA REGENCY, WEST KALIMANTAN PROVINCE

IUPHHK-RE PT Ekosistem Khatulistiwa Lestari is the habitat of various wildlife species, comprises of a restoration forest area surrounded by production forest and oil palm plantations. The threats of damages from illegal logging and land clearing activities tend to threaten the wildlife existence. Therefore, this study aims to determine the distribution and diversity of bird species in PT Ekosistem Khatulistiwa Lestari. The study was conducted from January - February 2019, and data collection was conducted using the IPA (Index Ponctualle deAbondance) method. Furthermore, data analysis used diversity index, evenness index, and species similarity with dendrogram analysis using SPSS 21. The results showed that the highest bird species were found in mangroves (32 species), old swamp scrubs (26 species), young swamp scrubs (24 species), plantations (13 species), and settlement (15 species) habitats. Meanwhile, the diversity index of bird species in the five habitat types is classified as medium diversity. Species evenness with the highest value is settlement (E = 0.93). The dendrogram image of the settlement area showed bird species, which can be found in the other four habitats. Keywords: diversity, bird distribution, West Borneo, dendrogram