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Coastlines, including estuaries, mudflats, and beaches, are particularly susceptible to plastic pollution, which can accumulate from both marine and terrestrial sources. While numerous studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics (1–5 mm) along coastlines, few have focused on very small particles (<1 μm) or quantified exposure within the organisms that inhabit these areas, such as shorebirds. Here, we quantified small plastics (200 nm–70 μm) in two resident shorebird species in Tasmania, and compared this to quantities found in the surrounding sediments in order to investigate the potential exposure and transfer of particles within these ecosystems. Analysis was performed using a combination of flow cytometry for quantification of micro- and nanoplastics (200 nm–70 μm), and μm-FT-IR for validation and polymer identification of particles >5.5 × 5.5 μm. Micro- and nano-plastics were detected in 100% of guano samples from surface-feeding Eastern Hooded Plovers (Thinornis cucullatus) and 90% of Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) guano, a species that forages for coastal invertebrates at 60–90 mm depth, and 100% of beach sediments. Hooded Plover guano contained 32 × more plastics, on average, than Pied Oystercatcher guano. Interestingly, the abundance of plastic particles within sediments collected from shorebird foraging sites did not appear to have a significant effect on the number of plastics the birds had ingested, suggesting the difference between species is likely a result of other variables, such as prey selection. The results of this study highlight the importance of including techniques that provide quantitative data on the abundance and size of the smallest possible particle sizes, and demonstrate the significant proportion of small plastics that are 'missed' using standard analysis tools. [Display omitted] • Micro- and nano-plastic found in all sediment samples from 10 Tasmanian sites. • Micro- and nano-plastic uptake varied with shorebird beak length. • Plover guano contained 3 × more plastics, on average, than oystercatcher guano. • Plovers foraging within the beach sediment surface were exposed to more plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood parasites are potential threats to the health of penguins and to their conservation and management. Little penguins Eudyptula minor are native to Australia and New Zealand, and are susceptible to piroplasmids ( Babesia ), hemosporidians ( Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium ) and kinetoplastids ( Trypanosoma ). We studied a total of 263 wild little penguins at 20 sites along the Australian southeastern coast, in addition to 16 captive-bred little penguins. Babesia sp. was identified in seven wild little penguins, with positive individuals recorded in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. True prevalence was estimated between 3.4% and 4.5%. Only round forms of the parasite were observed, and gene sequencing confirmed the identity of the parasite and demonstrated it is closely related to Babesia poelea from boobies ( Sula spp.) and B. uriae from murres ( Uria aalge ). None of the Babesia -positive penguins presented signs of disease, confirming earlier suggestions that chronic infections by these parasites are not substantially problematic to otherwise healthy little penguins. We searched also for kinetoplastids, and despite targeted sampling of little penguins near the location where Trypanosoma eudyptulae was originally reported, this parasite was not detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil pollution is a significant conservation concern. We examined data from six institutions along the coast of South America: Emergency Relief Team of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Fundación Mundo Marino, Centro de Recuperação de Animais Marinhos, Natura Patagonia, Associação R3 Animal, and Mar del Plata Aquarium and data from resightings in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Falkland/Malvinas Islands. From 2000 to 2010, 2183 oiled Magellanic penguins were rehabilitated as part of the routine activities of these institutions or during emergency responses to eight oil spills in which they were involved; all rehabilitated penguins were flipper banded and released. Since their release, 41 penguins were resighted until 31 December 2011. The results demonstrate that, when combined with other prevention strategies, the rehabilitation of Magellanic penguins is a strategy that contributes to the mitigation of adverse effects of oil spills and chronic pollution to the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report the first observation of polymelia and polydactyly in an Australian wild bird, an adult Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports two occurrences of male South American terns returning to their nesting colony with katydids during courtship feeding in Laje de Santos, Brazil in 2013. About 100-120 South American terns were observed in the area. Female katydids are of high nutritional value as prey for breeding terns, particularly during the pre-breeding and pre-laying periods.