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Ornis Hungarica
Number of Followers: 2  Open Access journalISSN (Print) 1215-1610 - ISSN (Online) 2061-9588 Published by Sciendo  [389 journals]
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- Species composition and habitat associations of birds around Jhilmila Lake
at Western Chure Landscape, Nepal
Abstract: Wetlands support around 27% of birds in Nepal, however, there is a paucity of information about bird diversity and the wetland habitat of Western Chure Landscape Nepal. The “point count” method along transects was carried out to evaluate the species composition and habitat associations of birds. A total of 2,532 individuals representing 152 species (winter: N = 140 and summer: N = 91) from 19 orders and 51 families were reported from Jhilmila Lake and its surrounding area. The number of birds was reported to be significantly higher during winter than in the summer season. The species diversity was also higher in winter (Shannon’s index (H) = 4.38, Fisher’s alpha = 30.67) than in summer (H = 4.21, Fisher’s alpha = 34.69) as this area is surrounded by old-growth forest that provides available habitats for forest, grassland- and wetland-dwelling birds. This lake is an example of a wetland present in the Chure area that plays an important role in the conservation of biodiversity along with birds. Hence, we recommend its detailed study in terms of biodiversity and water quality.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Four nesting attempts of a Great Bustard female in one reproductive season
Abstract: A mature Great Bustard (Otis tarda) female tagged with a satellite transmitter in Dévaványa made four breeding attempts in 2019. A total of seven eggs were laid on the four occasions. None of the breeding attempts were successful, and the bird was killed by a predator, presumably a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), during the fourth breeding attempt. The four egg-laying attempts are a new experience in the reproductive biology of the species. The failure of the nestings and the death of the bird itself confirm that the conservation measures of the species, as emphasised in international and national conservation plans – controlling predators and egg predator populations, ensuring undisturbed breeding conditions – are important conservation biology actions serving for the protection of the species.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Species composition of bird assemblages on waste landfills in Kharkov
Region
Abstract: The article lists the bird species of solid waste landfills for the period 2019–2022 in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. A total of 73 species in 56 genera, 27 families and 11 orders were registered at the seven largest landfills in the region. We performed faunal and ecological analyses to determine the structure of the landfills’ avifauna by status, relative abundance, distribution by landfill zones, and protection status. We found solid waste landfills to play an important role for birds of various ecological groups, as 53% of species use the territory as a nesting place or permanent habitat. In addition, a significant proportion of registered birds are protected by various regulatory and legal acts of Ukraine and the world, pointing out the importance of landfills for endangered birds. We calculated the Menhinick and Shannon indices to estimate the species richness and abundance, which did not show high species diversity. Therefore, we also calculated the Pielow index to quantify the evenness of the grouping structure. In addition, the Berger-Parker index showed the importance of the dominant species, which negates the uniformity and thus, the stability of the groups. The general characteristics of the formation of the avifauna were revealed by the qualitative and quantitative (Jaccard and Sørenson indices) comparisons of bird habitats in the Kharkiv region and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. As a result, we drew conclusions about the similar factors of the formation and grouping structure of the specific avifauna, as well as the environmental conditions creating the differences.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- , a new genus and species of Cormorants (Phalacrocoracinae) from the Late
Oligocene of Hungary
Abstract: The authors describe a fossil avian distal tibiotarsal epiphysis, remains of a cormorant (Phalacrociracinae), differing in age and morphological characters from other fossil cormorants. The fossil material comes from sandy marine deposits from the village of Máriahalom in north-western Hungary, together with the remains of 26 other vertebrate species, mostly marine. The age of the fossiliferous deposit is established in the Late Oligocene, at the beginning of the Chattian stage (MP25–30). The earliest fossil specimens of the subfamily Phalacrocoracinae are known from the Early-Middle Oligocene of North America and Northeast Africa, respectively. The rest of the known specimens are dated to the Late-Upper Oligocene and Lower Miocene. Thus, the fossil described here represents an intermediate age and it is less specialised in morphological characteristics. A new genus and species of cormorants, Praecarbo strigoniensisis described here based on the distal epiphysis of a fossil tibiotarsus.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- First record of Brown-necked Raven in Lebanon, 2022
Abstract: The Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis) has an extremely large distribution range in Africa and Asia, including the Middle East. The species primary live in deserts and semi-deserts, however its urban population is also increasing. In this paper, I reported the first record of the species for Lebanon. On 8th February 2022, I have seen an individual on the seaside coast near the harbor in Tripoli, North Lebanon. After I took photos of the bird, several ornithologist confirmed my correct identification. The nearest country where it was recorded before is Palestine.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Natural remnants are refuges for rare birds in an urban area: a study from
Pune city, India
Abstract: The green spaces in many urban areas are under severe threats; the area under green cover is declining, habitat quality is deteriorating due to fast urbanisation and the booming real estate market. Therefore, we investigated the avian richness of a natural remnant area and compared it with species richness data previously published in the literature about gardens, urban parks, and academic campuses in Pune, India. In two years of our survey, we recorded 65 species at the natural remnant site, 15 of which are rare considered in urban areas. Among recorded species, 17 are habitat specialists and 14 have declining population. Natural remnant patches are generally inaccessible to the general public; they have undergrowth of vegetation and aerial leaf litter, which may be the reason for the higher species richness and the occurrence of rare species. Our findings indicate that the natural remnant site in Pune has a unique and relatively rich assemblage of bird species, thus provide further support for the notion that natural remnant sites are valuable for urban biodiversity conservation. Therefore, we suggest that small, isolated patches of natural vegetation should receive more attention in conservation planning.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Bearded Reedling : the biology of a remarkable bird – a review of
the recent literature
Abstract: The Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus is a frequent, yet relatively little-known passerine bird found in wetlands across Eurasia. The species is difficult to study because of its elusive nature and the challenging access to its habitat: old, particularly dense reed patches standing in water. However, a detailed body of knowledge of the species’ natural history, morphology, and behaviour has been gathered over the years, providing insight into the adaptations this unusual bird uses to survive and even thrive under favourable conditions. In 2023, BirdLife Hungary named the Bearded Reedling as the ‘bird of the year’. In light of this notable designation, this article provides an overview of research advances on some of the unique characteristics of the Bearded Reedling, focusing on the factors that affect their population dynamics and potential conservation management strategies to protect the species.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Relationship between landscape structure and the diet of Common Barn-owl
at different distances from the Drava River ecological corridor
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between landscape structure at different distances from the Drava River in South Hungary and the food composition of the Common Barn-owl. Pellets were collected from 15 villages between 2006 and 2008. Based on the CORINE land cover elements, five land use types were determined, and five landscape metrics were calculated to compare land use and landscape structure in the three distance zones. There were significant differences in the Shannon and Simpson diversity of small mammal assemblages between the three areas. A positive relationship was detected between the distance categories and the abundance distribution of the Striped Field Mouse and Field Vole. The relative abundance of the Striped Field Mouse in the diet of Common Barn-owl was influenced by the increase in the mean perimeter/area ratio and the mean of the contiguity index. The value of the trophic level index was negatively influenced by the decrease in crop patches and the increase in pasture and grassland areas, which land use types facilitate the distribution of insectivores. Our results suggest that landscape characteristics influence prey occurrence in hunting areas and the frequency-dependent availability of small mammal prey, which determines the resource utilization of Common Barn-owl.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Variations in the spring migration of Eurasian Woodcock ( L.) in Hungary
Abstract: We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of migration of Eurasian Woodcock (n=23,539 specimens) collected in Hungary during spring sampling (2010–2019) in the framework of the Woodcock Bag Monitoring. There were differences in the temporal course of the spring migration of the species between the western and eastern regions of Hungary. In the western Hungarian counties, migration started earlier in all cases, while in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county the main migration period – i.e. the period between the 25% and 75% cumulative sampling thresholds – started on average one week later than in Somogy county. We investigated the influence of weather factors on the spatial and temporal pattern of migration, in addition to geographical causes, based on the distribution of Péczely’s macrosynoptic situations recorded the week before and after the migration peak. In years free of weather extremes, the migration period was characterised by neutral (80.0%) macrosynoptic situations, with unfavourable (9.5%) and favourable (10.5%) conditions occurring less frequently. In the years with weather anomalies (2013, 2016, 2018), unfavourable macrosynoptic situations (81.3%) determined the spring migration characteristics. Weather anomalies (macrosynoptic conditions with gale-force winds and heavy snowfall) affected the timing of spring migration, but regional differences were observed in all years regardless of weather conditions, suggesting that spring migration of Woodcock is phase-delayed in the southern Transdanubian and north-eastern regions of Hungary.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Observations of birds of prey in Eastern Nimba Nature Reserve, Liberia
between 2015 and 2017
Abstract: Distribution and biology of birds of prey species have been well-documented in most parts of the globe. Knowledge gaps are continuously shrinking due to more research, new technologies and increasing possibilities to reach remote areas. However, there are still some regions where data on birds of prey are scarce due to various reasons. Some parts of West Africa are such places, mostly because civil wars and the outbreak of Ebola prevented any kind of research. In the period 2015–2017, a butterfly research project in Nimba Mountains, Liberia offered opportunity to collect data also on birds of prey species. This article aims to provide a comprehensive list of birds of prey species in the area and compare it to other available historic and recent lists. In the frame of the project, 20 species were recorded. The results of comparing historic and recent records show that species of dry open habitats appeared and even settled in Nimba Mountains’ predominantly rainforest habitat. That suggests a habitat shift likely due to both climate change and human land transformation activities.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Diversity of cranial shape in European Woodpecker species (Picidae)
Abstract: The woodpecker family (Picidae) includes numerous species that vary in size and plumage colouration, but which share many easily recognisable external features. These birds possess pronounced anatomical adaptions that enable them to exploit arboreal habitats and live in niches that are inaccessible to most other birds. The aim of this study was to increase our knowledge on the relationships between skull shape, habitat preference, pecking abilities and foraging habits of 10 European woodpecker species. A geometric morphometric approach was used to analyse two-dimensional cranial landmarks. We used principal component (PC) analyses on those measurements that may be related to habitat preference and foraging habits. The PCs resulted in descriptions of the relative length and width of the bill, variation in its relative size, orientation of the nostrils variation in the elongation of the neurocranium, the relative size and position of the palatine bone, length of the rostrum, and the thickness of the mandible bone. The analysis showed and confirmed the presence of some cranial elements that are strongly associated with habitat preference, pecking behaviour and excavation abilities.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Do the barrier islands of the Po Delta constitute an ecological trap for
colonising Slender-billed Gulls '
Abstract: The Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) breeds with a scattered distribution on an extensive nesting area, ranging from India and Afghanistan in the East to the Iberian Peninsula in the West, including the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. A number of habitats are used for breeding, such as sand-spits and beaches along coasts and islands of land-locked seas, steppe lakes, but also brackish or freshwater lagoons near river deltas. Sea level rise dramatically affects coastal sites, thus being the greatest threat to the survival of many seabird species, including gulls. This note describes habitat selection, breeding success and causes of failure of Slender-billed Gulls during their colonisation of the northern Po Delta (NE Italy) during 2018–2022. Slender-billed Gulls colonised the northern Po Delta in 2018. Six colonies were found during the study period. Birds used both natural barrier islands and artificial dredge islands. Productivity in the first five years after the colonisation event was zero, mostly due to colony sites being flooded by high tides and storms. If Slender-billed Gulls will switch to nest in nearby fish farms, these could provide plenty of suitable breeding sites, safe from tidal flooding and with very low predation pressure, allowing sufficient productivity. At the moment, Slender-billed Gulls are unsuccessful in colonising the barrier islands of the Po Delta.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- A photographic record of partial leucism in Greater Coucal (Stephens,
1815) (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) from Chhattisgarh, India
Abstract: Leucism is a colour anomaly defined by a lack of pigmentation, which may be partial or full in any individual. Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to a high incidence of plumage colour aberrations in wild birds, the true incidence of these aberrations in wild populations has been studied very less. The present report describes an instance of partial leucism in a Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) from Chhattisgarh, India. This colour aberration in this species was first documented in 1990. More research is needed to determine the exact reasons for the high incidence of partial leucism in wild birds, which might include nutrition, lifespan, behaviour, parasitism, or other environmental factors.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- The Common Rock Thrush in the Carpathian Basin
Abstract: The Common Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) is a species with an extremly large distribution range. Its European population is the strongest in the Mediterranean, but it also breeds in Central Europe. It still nests in small numbers in the Carpathian Basin, but has become extinct as a breeder in Hungary, where it was never a common species. In the present study, we summarised the occurrences of the species in the Carpathian Basin published in the literature. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a large amount of observational data on the spring migration of the species was collected, which allowed us to describe the migration phenology of that time. The Common Rock Thrush bred in small numbers in mountainous areas of Hungary, in natural habitats and in mines, vineyards and orchards. The collapse of the population occurred in the 1970s, but thereafter a few pairs bred in Hungary until the 2010s. Very few published records were found in Slovakia and Romania, which does not give a true picture of its former distribution there. However, its population has also declined drastically in Romania and it has become extinct as nesting species in Slovakia. The exact cause of the decline cannot be determined and several explanations have been proposed in recent decades. It is likely that the Carpathian Basin population, which is considered to be an edge-population, has been more exposed to negative changes, such as climate change, chemical inputs or changes in wintering grounds. A century earlier, the median date of the first spring returns was mid-April, but sometimes it was observed as early as late March. Nowadays, vagrant individuals have been observed again several times in Hungary, which gives us some hope for the future.
PubDate: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT
- Testing different isolation distances in woodpecker territory mapping in
Central Hungary
Abstract: Woodpeckers as cavity excavators are crucial in forest ecosystems, therefore, it is important to study their ecological needs, specifically at the territory scale, using mapping methodologies, of which there are uncertainties considering detection probabilities and the distances of the territory centres in different species and habitats. We studied the effects of the number of visits and isolation distance on detected woodpecker territories in the 1,000 ha forest mosaic of the Peszér forest in Central Hungary. We made territory mapping in 2020 along existing trails and forest roads on the present woodpecker species as Black, Eurasian Green, Great Spotted, Middle Spotted, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Eurasian Wryneck. We found a very low detection probability for single territories during one visit, while with the increasing number of visits it is more unlikely to overlook territories. Considering the isolation distances, by lowering the distance, more territories can be registered, which suggests that researchers should take great care choosing the proper distance for a given species whilst avoiding the over- or underestimation of territories.This paper has an actuality as BirdLife Hungary announced the Eurasian Green Woodpecker as the Bird of the Year in 2022, for drawing attention to this species’ habitat preferences and conservation.
PubDate: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Monitoring population change using ’citizen science’ data: case study
of the Hungarian White Stork population between 1999 and 2021
Abstract: In Hungary, changes in the White Stork population are monitored using two methods that involve a large number of volunteers: nest surveys since 1941, and since 1999 within the framework of the Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (MMM) programme. In our article, we briefly present the results of the nest survey data between 1999 and 2021, the population trend calculated on the basis of them, and the comparison of the latter with the trends shown by the MMM programme, which – among other species – counts all stork individuals on 2.5×2.5 km sample areas. Both sets of data show a decreasing trend, but there is a significant difference between them, which may be partly due to the inaccuracies of the nest database, considering the fact that the MMM also counts non-breeding adult and immature individuals. However, both methods have the characteristics that make them suitable for monitoring population trends.
PubDate: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- The acoustic communication of the Eurasian Green Woodpecker
Abstract: Woodpeckers, having a fairly well-defined range of acoustic signals, offer a valuable opportunity to link acoustic repertoires to behavioural observations. Instrumental and vocal sounds from more than 70 individual Eurasian Green Woodpeckers were analysed using 305 sound recordings. Eighteen separate acoustic signals are described, together with field observations of associated behaviour. Sixteen are illustrated by clear spectrograms supporting the phonetic descriptions. With one exception, calls consisted of repeated elements, with the first element often containing varying degrees of emphasis. Variation within call types, especially the advertising call, differentiated individuals and their motivation and did not appear to be regionally significant. Instrumental signals, while soft and easily overlooked, constituted an important intimate communication between breeding pairs.
PubDate: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Urbanisation of the Common Wood Pigeon in Southeast Hungary and its impact
on the population of Eurasian Collared Dove
Abstract: The Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758) has very large populations in the European cities. However, the urbanisation of the species in the Maros–Körös köze region (Maros–Körös Interfluve) is recent and is happening before our eyes. In our study, we summarized our observations on the urbanised populations of the species in the region. Populations of the species in populated areas are currently spreading rapidly in the Maros–Körös köze region. In the past, it was a breeding species in the landscape of suburban areas far from populated areas. In recent years, it has appeared in towns and villages. It did not gradually arrive from the outer area of the settlements towards the interior of populated areas, but it was precisely in the park areas of the centres of settlements that the first pairs in these areas appeared and spread outwards. During the study, we also surveyed the nesting populations of the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto [Frivaldszky, 1838]) in the sampling areas, using the same methodology, so that we could also examine the proportion of both urbanised species. The population of that species was decreasing during the study period. The pairs of Common Wood Pigeons were more common in the central, more parked parts of the settlements, while the Eurasian Collared Dove was mainly found in peripheral areas. The increase in the population of the Common Wood Pigeons will cause major problems for agriculture, for which there is no solution at present.
PubDate: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Allometric inter-relationships between jaw musculature mass, skull size
and body mass in
Abstract: Functional characteristics of the jaw apparatus, for example bite force, in vertebrates is a combination of the skeleton and the musculature. In birds, bite force has been measured directly or calculated using various methods including summation of forces generated by the different elements of the jaw musculature. However, there have been no reports of the relationships between body size with the mass of the different muscle groups in a closely related group of birds. This study explored allometry in the different jaw muscle masses from parrot (Psittaciformes) species differing in body mass by 40-fold. It was hypothesised that the different muscle masses would exhibit isometry with body mass and skull size. Parrot heads were dissected and the masses of the individual muscle complexes were recorded. Data were subjected to phylogenetically-controlled regression analysis to document scaling effects with body mass and skull size. Most, but not all muscles, exhibited positive allometry with body mass but most were isometric with skull size. Consequently, as parrots get bigger, their skulls get proportionally longer, but that the muscles within the head isometrically scaled relative to the size of these proportionally larger skulls. The large muscles imply greater bite forces in parrots than have been reported to date, which seems to be associated with an increase in skull size to accommodate more muscles. It is unknown whether this pattern is applicable to other birds within specific orders or even across birds as a whole. There needs to be further investigation into the allometry of the morphological and functional properties of the avian jaw musculature.
PubDate: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
- Spectrum of animal and plant in the diet of Woodcock ( L.) based on
literature data
Abstract: Based on the results of dietary surveys of the Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola L.) in 11 countries (Great Britain, Scotland, France, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, and Romania), 63 taxa (42 animal and 21 plant) were detected in Woodcock gizzard contents, of which the predominant dietary components were of animal origin. The composition of the dietary components varies only within a narrow spectrum, adapting to seasonal changes in the insect fauna and the supply of the area. Earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) represent the dominant proportion, also with larvae of Dermaptera, Myriapoda, Coleoptera taxa, and Diplopoda and Araneidae species being present in significant numbers. The mass fraction of plant components (mainly weed seeds) is low, with occasional occurrence of vegetative plant parts. The narrow species range of animal taxa recorded and the low proportion of plant dietary components clearly indicate that the Woodcock is a specialist species, and the availability of a few major dietary component taxa groups are a limiting factor in case of the Woodcock. Therefore, it is a major determinant of the diurnal, seasonal and annual movement patterns.
PubDate: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
