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Rime Y, Nussbaumer R, Briedis M, Sander MM, Chamberlain D, Amrhein V, Helm B, Liechti F, Meier CM. Multi-sensor geolocators unveil global and local movements in an Alpine-breeding long-distance migrant. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2023; 11:19. [PMID: 37020307 PMCID: PMC10074645 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00381-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To understand the ecology of long-distance migrant bird species, it is necessary to study their full annual cycle, including migratory routes and stopovers. This is especially important for species in high-elevation habitats that are particularly vulnerable to environmental change. Here, we investigated both local and global movements during all parts of the annual cycle in a small trans-Saharan migratory bird breeding at high elevation. METHODS Recently, multi-sensor geolocators have opened new research opportunities in small-sized migratory organisms. We tagged Northern Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe from the central-European Alpine population with loggers recording atmospheric pressure and light intensity. We modelled migration routes and identified stopover and non-breeding sites by correlating the atmospheric pressure measured on the birds with global atmospheric pressure data. Furthermore, we compared barrier-crossing flights with other migratory flights and studied the movement behaviour throughout the annual cycle. RESULTS All eight tracked individuals crossed the Mediterranean Sea, using islands for short stops, and made longer stopovers in the Atlas highlands. Single non-breeding sites were used during the entire boreal winter and were all located in the same region of the Sahel. Spring migration was recorded for four individuals with similar or slightly different routes compared to autumn. Migratory flights were typically nocturnal and characterized by fluctuating altitudes, frequently reaching 2000 to 4000 m a.s.l, with a maximum of up to 5150 m. Barrier-crossing flights, i.e., over the sea and the Sahara, were longer, higher, and faster compared to flights above favourable stopover habitat. In addition, we detected two types of altitudinal movements at the breeding site. Unexpected regular diel uphill movements were undertaken from the breeding territories towards nearby roosting sites at cliffs, while regional scale movements took place in response to local meteorological conditions during the pre-breeding period. CONCLUSION Our data inform on both local and global scale movements, providing new insights into migratory behaviour and local movements in small songbirds. This calls for a wider use of multi-sensor loggers in songbird migration research, especially for investigating both local and global movements in the same individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Rime
- Department of Bird Migration, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach, CH-6204, Switzerland.
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoology, University of Basel, Basel, CH-4051, Switzerland.
| | | | - Martins Briedis
- Department of Bird Migration, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach, CH-6204, Switzerland
- Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia
| | - Martha Maria Sander
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Turin, IT-10123, Italy
| | - Dan Chamberlain
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Turin, IT-10123, Italy
| | - Valentin Amrhein
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoology, University of Basel, Basel, CH-4051, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Helm
- Department of Bird Migration, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach, CH-6204, Switzerland
| | - Felix Liechti
- Department of Bird Migration, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach, CH-6204, Switzerland
| | - Christoph M Meier
- Department of Bird Migration, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, Sempach, CH-6204, Switzerland
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Diversity of Avian Species in Peri-Urban Landscapes Surrounding Fez in Morocco: Species Richness, Breeding Populations, and Evaluation of Menacing Factors. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the avian diversity and threatening factors in five peri-urban sites around Fez city (Morocco) for 2 years (2018–2019). The study hosted 131 avian species, including 64.88% breeding species, 19.84% migrant winterers, and 11.45% migrant breeders. Five species of conservation concern such as the vulnerable European turtle dove and the European goldfinch, the near-threatened ferruginous duck and bar-tailed godwit, and the endangered white-headed duck were recorded. Most bird species were recorded at the Oued Fez River (26.89%) and the El Mehraz dam (25%), followed by the El Gaada dam (17.4%), the Ain Bida garbage dump (15.5%), and the Ain Chkef Forest (15.18%). About 44.44% of the breeding species were found at Oued Fez, along with 33.33% at the El Mehraz dam, while El Gâada, Ain Chkef, and Ain Bida hosted only 7.40% of species. An important breeding population of the endangered white-headed duck was recorded at El Mehraz and Oued Fez. The extension of farmlands, urbanization, touristic activities, and drought constitute the most menacing factors for the avian diversity and their habitats in Fez.
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Kalnins L, Krüger O, Krause ET. Plumage and Fat Condition Scores as Well-Being Assessment Indicators in a Small Passerine Bird, the Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:791412. [PMID: 35498744 PMCID: PMC9048790 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.791412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The well-being of animals kept by humans in laboratories, farms, or as pets should always be of the highest importance, and a prerequisite for this is adequate housing. To assess the potential indicators for animal well-being, ideally simple, non-invasive, and reliable methods are necessary. Here, we propose a novel plumage scoring system for small songbirds, using the example of the Zebra Finch, and examine its reliability in comparison with a well-known body condition index, that is, the fat score. We used up to five different observers of different experience levels to assess inter- and intra-observer reliability of the proposed plumage score and also the fat score. We found substantial inter-observer reliability for the proposed novel plumage score, and lower inter-observer reliability for the fat score, which seems to require more training of observers. The intra-observer reliability of the experienced observer who trained the others also showed a very strong reliability for the plumage score and for the fat score. Thus, we conclude that our proposed novel plumage score is a simple, reliable, and non-invasive way to estimate an important indicator of captive Zebra Finches' well-being. Furthermore, the plumage score can be reliably taught to other observers. The plumage score, maybe in combination with the fat score, may be an important tool to reliably assess well-being on a regular basis in captive populations in zoos, laboratories, or pet stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kalnins
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- *Correspondence: Lisa Kalnins
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - E. Tobias Krause
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Celle, Germany
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Mansouri I, Dakki M, Squalli W, Achiban H, Mounir M, El Ghadraoui L. Wildlife‐vehicle collisions in Moroccan Atlantic Sahara: Impact on resident species and Afro‐Palearctic birds for conservation purposes. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Mansouri
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Genie of Environment Faculty of sciences and technology USMBA Fez Morocco
| | - Mohamed Dakki
- Laboratoire de Géo‐biodiversité et Patrimoine Naturel Scientific Institute (Mohammed V Univ.) Rabat Morocco
| | - Wafae Squalli
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Genie of Environment Faculty of sciences and technology USMBA Fez Morocco
| | - Hamid Achiban
- Laboratory of Geo‐environmental Analysis Planning‐Sustainable Development Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz USMBA Fez Morocco
| | - Mohamed Mounir
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorisation of phytogénétics Resources Faculty of Sciences and Technics Sultan Moulay Sliman University Beni mellal Morocco
| | - Lahsen El Ghadraoui
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Genie of Environment Faculty of sciences and technology USMBA Fez Morocco
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Howard C, Stephens PA, Tobias JA, Sheard C, Butchart SHM, Willis SG. Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2329. [PMID: 29467262 PMCID: PMC5832701 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, we show that our estimates accord with recorded journey times and stopovers for most species. We then combine projections of altered migratory distances under climate change with models of avian flight to predict future migratory journeys. We find that 37% of migratory journeys undertaken by long-distance migrants will necessitate an additional stopover in future. These greater distances and the increased number of stops will substantially increase overall journey durations of many long-distance migratory species, a factor not currently considered in climate impact studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Howard
- Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Philip A Stephens
- Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Joseph A Tobias
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Catherine Sheard
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Stuart H M Butchart
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke St., Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK.,Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Stephen G Willis
- Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
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Schmaljohann H, Eikenaar C. How do energy stores and changes in these affect departure decisions by migratory birds? A critical view on stopover ecology studies and some future perspectives. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2017; 203:411-429. [PMID: 28332031 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-017-1166-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In birds, accumulating energy is far slower than spending energy during flight. During migration, birds spend, therefore, most of the time at stopover refueling energy used during the previous flight. This elucidates why current energy stores and actual rate of accumulating energy are likely crucial factors influencing bird's decision when to resume migration in addition to other intrinsic (sex, age) and extrinsic (predation, weather) factors modulating the decision within the innate migration program. After first summarizing how energy stores and stopover durations are generally determined, we critically review that high-energy stores and low rates of accumulating energy were significantly related to high departure probabilities in several bird groups. There are, however, also many studies showing no effect at all. Recent radio-tracking studies highlighted that migrants leave a site either to resume migration or to search for a better stopover location, so-called "landscape movements". Erroneously treating such movements as departures increases the likelihood of type II errors which might mistakenly suggest no effect of either trait on departure. Furthermore, we propose that energy loss during the previous migratory flight in relation to bird's current energy stores and migration strategy significantly affects its urge to refuel and hence its departure decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Schmaljohann
- Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
| | - Cas Eikenaar
- Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
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