Blood parasite infection linked to condition of spring-migrating Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Numerous organisms exhibit carry-over effects, in which previous environmental conditions impact current performance. For example, reproductive output for many migratory birds can be impacted by events during the preceding migration. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838); hereafter scaup) declined dramatically during 1970s–2000s, and there is evidence linking reduced reproductive output to reduced body condition during spring migration. In addition to food availability and quality, haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp.) may be associated with condition of spring-migrating birds. We examined whether haemosporidian parasite infection status was linked to measures of size (mass, wing length, tarsus length, and keel length) and condition (body fat, size-corrected mass, wing-loading) in female spring-migrating scaup. Infection prevalence varied by year (21.7% in 2014; 47.1% in 2015) and percent body fat was negatively associated with the probability of infection. Body fat levels declined from 2014 to 2015, but at a similar rate for infected and uninfected birds. This pattern suggests that the increased prevalence in 2015 may have been related to the greater proportion of poor-condition birds being more susceptible to infection or recrudescence of latent infections. In light of forecasted range shifts and expansions of avian malaria vectors, the impact of haemosporidian parasites on migratory waterfowl condition warrants further investigation.

RARE BIRDS IN ECUADOR: THIRD REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR ECUADORIAN RECORDS IN ORNITHOLOGY (CERO)

Presentamos nuevos registros de distribución de aves del Ecuador que han sido presentados al Comité Ecuatoriano de Registros Ornitológicos (CERO) entre abril 2014 y agosto 2015. Incluimos reportes de seis especies nuevas para Ecuador (Anas crecca, Thalassarche bulleri, Puffinus puffinus, Morus sp., Numenius americanus y Elaenia strepera), una especie nueva para el Ecuador continental (Fregetta grallaria), cuatro especies con primera documentación en Ecuador (Calidris alpina, Larus argentatus, Stercorarius longicaudus, Tyrannus dominicensis), extensiones considerables de distribución de 14 especies (Podilymbus podiceps, Pterodroma phaeopygia, Charadrius semipalmatus, C. collaris, Bartramia longicauda, Calidris alba, Limnodromus scolopaceus, Phalaropus fulicarius, Stercorarius longicaudus, Sternula superciliaris, Chlidonias niger, Galbula dea, Elaenia spectabilis y Geothlypis philadelphia) y nuevos reportes de 12 especies raras (Aythya affinis, Sula leucogaster, Busarellus nigricollis, Stercorarius chilensis, Chordeiles minor, Psittacara wagleri, Philydor fuscipenne, Muscisaxicola fluviatilis, Pyroderus scutatus, Passerina caerulea, Vermivora chrysoptera y Setophaga castanea) y el primer reporte moderno de Oreopholus ruficollis. Además, presentamos el primer registro en Ecuador de Lurocalis semitorquatus semitorquatus y el segundo registro de la subespecie Petrochelidon pyrrhonota melanogaster. Finalmente, invalidamos los registros previos de Picumnus castelnau, especie que no habita en Ecuador. CERO revisa y actualiza el listado nacional de aves, que en la actualidad alcanza las 1678 especies (1626 confirmadas y documentadas, y 52 no documentadas).

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.