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This paper upgrades and updates the checklist of the bird species recorded in Italy between 1800 and 2019. For the first time, it also includes subspecies. The classification, taxonomy and English names are based on «The Handbook of the Birds of the World & BirdLife International Checklist». The Italian list contains at present 551 species and 702 taxonomic units, including in the latter both the subspecies and the monotypic species. Each of them has been allocated to the AERC categories A, B or C according to four different frequency codes. Since the publication of the previous list (2009), 25 species have been added. The currently breeding avifauna includes 287 species: additional 10 species are regarded as nationally extinct breeders. The Italian checklist, that will be regularly updated, is available on the website of the CISO-COI (https://ciso-coi.it/coi/checklist-ciso-coi-degli-uccelli-italiani/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active participation of scientific trusts, including CISO (Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici), in applied conservation actions plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by natural and semi-natural landscapes, which are increasingly impacted by improper land-use and land-cover. This is particularly true for those landscapes where Large Infrastructures and Big Events (LIBEs) are planned. In these circumstances, researchers, professionals, and environmentalists typically express their concerns on the impacts of LIBEs through mediatic campaigns, often highlighting the ecological importance of vulnerable areas. These actions form the first, useful level of engagement in conservation. However, we advocate for a more proactive role of scientific trusts, which should entail forming task forces of conservation experts and providing scientific support in management decisions when LIBEs are being considered. In our opinion, scientists should locally produce original field studies by using effective sampling designs such as Before-After-Control-Impact surveys. We highlight that such a targeted level of action may support the public agencies when authorizing (or not) LIBEs, by providing evidence-based information about the ecological value of the target area and the potential impacts of LIBEs on ecosystem functions and local biodiversity. The aim is to avoid emotion-based social media loops, conflicts, and polarizations in the discussions about the ecological impacts of LIBEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian Ornithological Commission (COI) - Report 31. This report refers to records from January 1st 2022 to December 31st 2022, with the addition of a number of records from previous years that were submitted more recently. For each species, the records are listed by date and information is given as follows: English and scientific name, number of accepted records pre- and post-1950 (the numbers in this abstract refer to the total number of records), number of individuals if more than one, age or plumage and sex if known, location, date, names of the observers, and available documentation (photograph, sound recording, specimen, etc.). According with the new CISO-COI Italian Checklist, which also includes subspecies, the taxonomy follows the HBW-BirdLife Check-list, as decided by the CISO council in 2018. A total of 40 records involving 31 taxa were assessed. The following 30 records, involving 22 taxa, were accepted, including six first records for Italy (Cat. AERC: A - COI Category 1A, 1B): Red-footed Booby Sula sula (Campania 2022; 1st record); White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus (Apulia 2022; 7th record); White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis (Latium 2022; 3rd record); Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata (Sardinia 2022; 1st record); Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan (Liguria 2022; 6th record); Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia (Veneto 2022; 1st record); Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus (Veneto 2021; 20th record); Arctic Herring Gull (Vega Gull) Larus smithsonianus vegae (Marche 2022; 1st record); Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia 2022; 5th record); Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (Latium 2021; 12th record ); East Siberian Merlin Falco columbarius insignis (Piedmont 1952; 1st record); Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (Sicily 2022; 2nd record); Desert Shrike Lanius excubitor elegans/algeriensis (Campania 2021, Sicily 2022; 12th-13th record); Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris (Calabria 2022; 9th record); Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus (Tuscany 2021, Calabria 2021; 3rd-4th record); Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus (Sicily 2021, Apulia 2022; 10th-11th record); Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cinctura (Sicily 2021, 2022; 5th-6th record); Olivaceus Warbler Iduna pallida (Sicily 2021; 14rd-15th record); Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis (Sicily 2010, 2022; Apulia 2022; 6th-8th record); Black-throated Wheatear Oenanthe seebohmi (Latium 2022; 2nd record); Caspian Stonechat Saxicola torquatus hemprichii (Latium 2022, Tuscany 2022; 6th-7th record); Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis (Sicily 2021; 1st record). The addition of Red-footed Booby, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Arctic Herring Gull and Easter Yellow Wagtail Kittlitz's Plover brings the Italian list to 562 accepted species. Records not accepted (COI List 5A, 5B) were: White-rumped Swift Apus caffer (Latium 2021); Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (Emilia Romagna 2022, Apulia 2022); White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia 2022); Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus (Calabria 2021); Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis (Calabria 2022); Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica (Tuscany 2021); Oriental Reed-warbler Acrocephalus orientalis (Emilia Romagna 2022); Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima (Tuscany 2005). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian Ornithological Commission (COI) - Report 28. This report refers to records from 2018, with the addition of a number of records from previous years which were submitted more recently. For each species, the records are listed by date and information is given as follows: Italian and scientific name, the number of accepted records pre- and post-1950 (the numbers in this abstract refer to the total number of records), number of individuals if more than one, age or plumage and sex if known, location, date, names of observers, and documentation (photograph, sound recording, skin etc.). Taxonomy follow the new CISO-COI Italian Checklist (http://ciso-coi. it/commissione-ornitologica-italiana), which also includes subspecies and follows the taxonomy adopted by the HBW-BirdLife Checklist, as decided by the CISO council in 2018. A total of 41 submissions involving 29 taxa were assessed. The following 28 records, involving 22 taxa, were accepted, including 3 first records for Italy (Cat. AERC: A - COI List 1A, 1B): Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis cf. meena (Trentino - Alto Adige 2017; 2nd record for Italy); Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii (Friuli Venezia Giulia 2018; 6th record); Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (Tuscany 2017; 4th record); Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (Campania, 11th record); White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus (Emilia-Romagna 2018; 5th record); Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla (Latium 2015; 2nd record); White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis (Emilia-Romagna 2018; 2nd record); Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni (Friuli Venezia Giulia 2018; 7th record); Heuglin's Gull Larus fuscus heuglini (Abruzzo 2018; 3rd record); Guillemot Uria aalge albionis (Tuscany 2018; 2nd record); Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus (Apulia 2018; 10th record); Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus (Sicily 2017; 8th record); Elegant Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor elegans (Sicily 2017; 7sup>th record); Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis (Sicily 2017; first record for Italy); Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cinctura arenicola (Sicily 2018; 4th record); Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus (five records: Sicily 2015, 2015, 2016, 2017; Calabria 2017; 10th-12th records and 14th-15th records); Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus (Latium 2018; 2nd record); Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana (Apulia 2018; first record); Moussier's Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri (three records: Sicily 2015, 2015, 2016; 10th-12th records); Caspian Stonechat Saxicola torquatus hemprichii (Campania 2018; 3rd record); Black-throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis (Apulia 2014; first record); Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii (Sicily 2018, 2nd record). The following record was accepted at the Genus level only (COI List 1C): Isabelline/Red-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus/phoenicuroides (Sicily 2011; 4th record). The following records were accepted as birds with uncertain natural origin (possibly ship-assisted: COI List 2A): Pied Crow Corvus albus (two records: Apulia 2008; Sicily 2018; 1st and 2nd records). The following record was accepted as first breeding case for Italy (COI List 6A): Booted Eagle Hieraetus pennatus (Basilicata 2018). Rejected records (COI List 5A, 5B) were: Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus (Veneto 2013); Least Sandpiper Calidris bairdii (Emilia Romagna 2016); Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus (Latium 2008); Iberian Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca iberiae (Latium 2018); Atlas Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca speculigera (Latium 2018); White-crowned Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga (Tuscany 2018). Two records are still pending and were not included here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian Birds Rarities Committee (COI) - Report 29. This report refers to records from January 1st to December 31st 2019, with the addition of a number of records from previous years that were submitted more recently. For each species, the records are listed by date and information is given as follows: English and scientific name, number of accepted records pre- and post-1950 (the numbers in this abstract refer to the total number of records), number of individuals if more than one, age or plumage and sex if known, location, date, names of the observers, and documentation (photograph, sound recording, specimen, etc.). Taxonomy follow the new CISO-COI Italian Checklist (https://www.ciso-coi.it/coi/checklist-ciso-coi-degli-uccelli-italiani/), which also includes subspecies and follows the taxonomy adopted by the HBW-BirdLife Check-list, as decided by the CISO council in 2018. A total of 35 submissions involving 25 taxa were assessed. The following 30 records, involving 23 taxa, were accepted, including four first records for Italy (Cat. AERC: A - COI Category 1A, 1B): Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrraptes paradoxus (Tuscany 1961; 2nd record post-1949); Little Swift Apus affinis (two records: Sardinia 2017; Sicily 2019; 3rd-4th records); Great Shearwater Ardenna gravis (2nd record); Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (Latium 2019; Tuscany 2019; Liguria 2019; 5th-7th records); American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica (Tuscany 2019; 2nd record); Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii (Latium 2016; 7th record); 'Russian Mew Gull' Larus canus heinei (Lombardy 2019; first record for this sub-species in Italy); Rüppel's Vulture Gyps ruepellii (Sicily, 2019; first record); Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (Sicily, 2019; first record); Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus (Friuli Venezia Giulia, 2019; 2nd record); Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus (Apulia, 2019; 9th record); Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris (two records: Sardinia 2018; Apulia 2019; 6th-7th records); 'Desert Grey Shrike' Lanius excubitor elegans/algeriensis (three records: Sicily 2017; 8th-10th records); Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis (Sicily 2019; 2nd record); Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida cf. elaeica (Latium 2019; 8th record); Isabelline Warbler Iduna opaca (Latium 2016; 7th record); Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus Agricola (two records: Latium 2018, 2019; 27th-28th record). Brichetti & Fracasso (2020) list 28 records, but only 7 have been assessed by COI, in part due to the fact that the previous numerical threshold used by COI meant that some of these records would not have been submitted; Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis (Lombardy 2019; 5th record); Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus (Sicily 2019; 5th record); Ehrenberg's Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamisicus (Latium 2019; first record for this subspecies in Italy); 'Caspian Stonechat' Saxicola torquatus hemprichii (Sicily 2019; 4th record); Black-throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis (Ligury 2019; 2nd record); Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii (Latium 2019, 3rd record). The addition of Rüppel's Vulture and Red-eyed Vireo brings the Italian list to 550 accepted species. Rejected records (COI List 5A, 5B) were: Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus (two records, both Latium 2016); 'Sykes's Yellow Wagtail' Motacilla flava beema (two records: Tuscany 1989; Calabria 2019); Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris (Tuscany, 2019). Two records are still pending and are not included here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study of the plumage of the Lilford's woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos lilfordi. The species performs a partial post-juvenile moult for the first-year birds and a complete post-nuptial moult regularly arrested for adults. The criteria presented make it possible to differentiate the two age-classes of a bird in hand. Furthermore, a difference in wing shape via the wing formula appears between females and males, suggesting a different internuptial or post-juvenile dispersal behaviour depending on the sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The query of one of the major online scientific research databases returned quite worrying data, because a large group of species breeding in Italy, 47 out of 270 (17%) has never been studied and this number grows further (56 species, 20.7% of the total) if we consider that 9 species with published papers have 0 h-index (i.e. do not yet have any citations). These species neglected by Italian ornithological research have been called 'zero species'. Bird species without indexed studies are 87.2% native and mostly migratory (66.0%). They live mainly in wetlands (36.2%) and forest habitats (27.7%) and generally have an increasing population trend (44.7%). Furthermore, the majority of these species are classified as least concern by the Italian Red List (44.7%), with a lower percentage of threatened species (34.0%). Zero species are more unprotected than protected ones (61.7% vs 38.3%). Finally, 42.6% of them belong to passerines and have a very restricted geographical range (83.0%). Some examples of zero species are reported and discussed, such as the Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, the Common redpoll Acanthis flammea or the Red Kite Milvus milvus, highlighting some of their interesting traits that could stimulate research aimed at conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Territory selection by birds of prey is an essential process influencing survival and productivity. For Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, research in Europe has focused primarily upon migrating and high-density populations, and rarely on the territory selection in low-density populations. We analysed Golden Eagle breeding sites in Central Apennines (Italy), spanning from 29 sites in 1980 up to 38 sites in 2020, verifying in 4 different years (1980, 1990, 2000 and 2020) their status of occupancy or vacancy, through cross-checking data from available literature and field observations. In the chosen years, each site was characterized by land use and neighbouring distances variables, to individuate the presence of a possible common selection process. The different protection status of each area (unprotected or Natural/National Parks) was tested, assuming that habitat protection could have positive effects on Eagles' territory selection. The so obtained panel data was statistically analysed by means of t-test, χ2 test and probit models. In one hand, Golden Eagles in the Apennines showed a continuous recolonization of territories, including seven previously vacant and two undiscovered sites. On the other hand, half of the vacant sites remain unoccupied. Our results suggest that Golden Eagles, in a low-density population, tend to minimize the effect of lower quality habitats by choosing a breeding territory which can guarantee low intra-specific interferences: 35% of 2020 breeding pairs have, at least, one nearby vacant territory. Depending on the quality of the available breeding habitat, Individual Adjustment Hypothesis (IAH) supports or replaces Habitat Heterogeneity Hypothesis (HHH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history and evolution of citizen science in ornithology, focusing on the Christmas Bird Census (CBC) initiated by Frank Chapman in the early 20th century. Citizen science involves public participation in scientific monitoring and research, leading to a significant impact on society. While citizen science projects have grown in popularity and diversity, they also face challenges such as data quality and standardization issues. Despite criticisms, citizen science has proven to be a valuable tool in collecting data and engaging the public in scientific research and conservation efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Artificial wetlands have become a common conservation approach to contrast the decline of biodiversity globally, as a result of the ongoing loss and fragmentation of natural habitats. Assessments on the trend of the avian biodiversity in artificial wetlands are essential to understand their conservation value. This study aims to analyse temporal changes in the abundance of bird guilds and species in small artificial wetlands in Northern Italy. We surveyed bird populations over the 2005-2019 period from three adjacent wetlands, and examined temporal trends of species as both single species and grouped in guilds. We found the water systems analysed supported a high diversity of species. Overall, we found Swans and Geese, Cormorants, Raptors and Large wading birds had an increasing trend between 2005 and 2019, while Gulls and Terns were stable, Ducks, Rails and Cranes, and Grebes and Divers were uncertain, and Shorebirds decreased. Species-specific trends were revealed: Circus cyaneus (+13.40%) and Falco vespertinus (+21.32%) increased, while Calidris pugnax decreased (-7.91%) and Aythya nyroca was uncertain (+6.30%). Furthermore, dominant species had mainly a stable abundance (e.g. Larus ridibundus and Anas platyrhynchos), while Anas crecca increased (+2.97%), Vanellus vanellus decreased (-3.65%), and Fulica atra had an uncertain trend. We described these local systems as of vital importance to sustain the local and regional avian biodiversity, also urging to ensure national and international functional connectivity between natural and artificial systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eurasian Oystercatchers have increasingly adopted pole tops in the last decade in the Lagoon of Venice (NE Italy). At the end of the study, 7% of the breeding population of the Lagoon (n = 180) nested on pole tops. Nests built in these structures are safe from flooding due to extremely high tides, thus allowing a high hatching success: 42 clutches out of 43 (97.7%) hatched. We hypothesise that this is an adaptive behaviour to the increased frequency of extreme high tides in the last decade and is a good omen for the species. The good availability of pole tops suitable for nesting in the Lagoon allows breeding in areas otherwise unsuitable for nesting due to the lack of sites safe from flooding. Placement of artificial nests on pole tops is also feasible and could be an easy and cheap strategy for the conservation of the breeding population of Oystercatchers in the Lagoon of Venice as extreme high tides and spring storms will likely increase in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the monitoring work related to the nesting of the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos in Northern Marches Apennines (Central Italy), in province of Pesaro-Urbino. Monitoring took place between 1983-2023, when a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 breeding pairs nested in the research area. The 16 nesting sites used by the Golden Eagle were located on cliffs with niches, ledges and high shallow caves, at an average height of 744.43 m (±249.7 m) a.s.l. The average number of nests per territory was 3.2 (±2.28 SD). The exposure of nest sites was heterogeneous. The maximum density for the species was 0.60 pairs/100 km2 and the Nearest Neighbor Distance was 8.84 km ±2.5. Most of the first incubations occurred in March and within the study period, at least one incubation was always observed. Incubation and fledging periods lasted on average 44.70 days (±1.78 d) and 81.76 days (±6.45 d), respectively. Over the study period, the breeding pairs raised a total of 98 chicks, of which 75 fledged successfully. Across the 41 years of monitoring, the productivity rate recorded was 0.65 (N. fledglings/N. pairs), the reproductive success 0.94 (N. fledglings/N. pairs with confirmed incubation), the fledging success 1.14 (fledglings/N. success pairs) and the nestling mortality was 23.5%. In 13.6% of the total successful breeding events, two fledglings were raised per nest. Only in three years of monitoring, no fledgling was raised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text discusses the changes in scientific publishing, particularly the rise of open access (OA) publishing. While OA has made science more accessible, it has its drawbacks, such as publication fees that can disadvantage researchers with limited funding. There is also a concern about predatory journals that prioritize self-interest over scholarship. Avocetta is an OA journal listed in the DOAJ and adheres to the "Think. Check. Submit." checklist. It is a diamond OA journal, meaning publishing and reading are free. The journal aims to maintain scientific integrity and overcome the challenges of the changing publishing landscape. Roberto Ambrosini is the Editor-in-Chief of Avocetta and can be contacted through his address and identification number. [Extracted from the article]

The present study shows the results of the long-term monitoring of the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus nesting in the Furlo Gorge State Nature Reserve located in the Marches region (central Italy). Monitoring took place between 1997-2022, when a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 breeding pairs nested within the protected area. During the study period, we identified 11 nesting sites used by the Peregrine Falcons that were located on cliffs with ledges and small niches, placed at an average height of 416 m (±89 m) a.s.l. Over the study period, the breeding pairs laid a total of 69 eggs, with an annual mean of 2.34 per pair, raising a total of 61 chicks of which 57 fledged successfully. Breeding attempts always occurred in March (with a pronounced peak in the second week) and incubation period lasted on average 32±1.60 days. During the 23 years of monitoring, the productivity rate was of 1.32 (n fledglings/n pairs), with a chick mortality of only 2.44% and a fledging success of 2.47 (fledglings/pairs with juveniles). This study highlights the Furlo Gorge as the second most important monitored breeding area for the Peregrine Falcon in the Marches region being the first one the Regional Park Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi (AN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni is a small migratory falcon, foraging in areas covered by relatively low vegetation. In the Thessalian Plain, Central Greece, it feeds mainly on large Orthoptera and Coleoptera, and is characterized by an opportunistic feeding strategy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the composition of the Lesser Kestrel diet in the Thessalian plain. Systematic visits to two large representative colonies of the Lesser Kestrel in the study area were performed, in order to collect pellets during 2014 and 2015 breeding and post breeding periods of the species. Pellet analysis indicated that Orthoptera and Coleoptera were the main prey categories, which seem to have been the most specialized and dominant feeding choices of the species in the study area, while all other prey categories were rare and not specialized. Lesser Kestrel relied its diet on Orthoptera (Tettigoniidae and Acrididae), mainly during the breeding and post breeding phases, while the feeding strategy of the species during these two phases can be characterized as opportunistic. On the contrary, prior to the breeding phase, main prey category of the species in the study area was Coleoptera (Carabidae and Scarabaeidae). Moreover, a narrower niche breadth of the species based on Levins' index, was recorded during the breeding phase for both years of the study, indicating that the species restricted the variety of the diet during this phase. Conclusively, the species during its whole breeding season made different prey choices, depending on the breeding phase and its specialized needs during each phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publication of updated works on the distribution, breeding and conservation status of Italian birds has stimulated an analysis of the factors that have so far guided the research. This was done through a bibliometric analysis of one of the largest scientific databases on the web. Two publication metrics were used, the total number of papers and the h-index. They express the quantity and the quality of research efforts through their impact on the scientific community. 791 articles concerning the 270 species reported in the Italian Atlas of Breeding Birds were selected and analysed by univariate statistics and negative binomial GLMs. Eight multilevel factors (origin of species, breeding phenology, main occupied habitat, population trends, degree of threat, national interest relative to population management, functional grouping and geographic range size) were used as potential predictors of species publication metrics. These 791 papers attracted 20,982 citations and had an overall h-index of 48. The publication years ranged from 1975 to 2023 with a significant increase in slope through time. The Barn Swallow leads the top ten of both publication metrics followed by the Lesser Kestrel and the Golden Eagle in the case of number of papers, while the Red-backed Shrike, and again the Lesser Kestrel follow the Barn Swallow in the first places of the h-index top ten. Main habitat, functional grouping and geographic range size are modelled as significant factors predicting a change in publication metrics, instead, the other five factors do not predict a significant change in both response variables. The lack of focus on research on species in numerical decline, threatened, or of national interest for population management reveals a main gap in Italian ornithological research. Another one is the skewed distribution of studies, with a not negligible 17% of breeding species that have never been the subject of a paper. These weaknesses are likely due to the low presence of ornithologists in local/national environmental and wildlife management bodies and to the uneven distribution of research groups among the Italian regions. Increasing the number of professional ornithologists and including them in local authorities and regional administrations is the best strategy to grow the levels of research and protection of Italian birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to monitor the waterbird community throughout the year in an anthropized peri-urban wetland of Florence province. The sampling was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020 throughout all seasons of the year by direct observations, using binoculars and acoustic surveys. To evaluate bird biodiversity, we calculated the relative frequency, abundance and species richness, the Shannon-Wiener Index and evenness. We monitored 19 species, among which six were dominant species: Anas platyrhynchos, Larus michahellis, Fulica atra, Podiceps cristatus, Aythya ferina, Chroicocephalus ridibundus. Abundance, species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity were highest in winter, while evenness was highest in spring; a Principal Component Analysis confirmed that Arnovecchio is an important wetland both for breeding (Podiceps cristatus, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Anas platyrhynchos) and wintering species (Aythya ferina, Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Most of the species were identified in autumn and in winter when this area may represent for some birds a protected refuge during the hunting season. Among the most observed species, Aythya ferina and Chroicocephalus ridibundus were absent in spring but were more common in winter. Among the nesting species, the most common are Podiceps cristatus and Tachybaptus ruficollis. The results of this study suggest a constant presence of birds during the whole year in this peri-urban area, thereby highlighting its relevance for biodiversity as well as for providing the opportunity to human visitors to enjoy its natural values in all seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura is distributed in the arid rocky landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. The species is insectivorous in the South of Europe, while its diet has not yet been studied in the North-African population. In this study, we looked into its prey choice and availability in the El Hodna area of M'Sila, Algeria. Prey availability was estimated during the breeding season 2020 by means of Pitfall traps, butterfly net, sweep net and sight hunting method. The prey groups consumed by the species in winter 2019 and spring 2020 were determined by using 219 faecal samples found on the different perches. Faecal samples analysis revealed 1656 prey items. The species' diet is dominated by insects, which may be related to the great abundance of this prey group in the habitat. The Black Wheatear's main food resources were ants, orthopterans and beetles. In the winter, the most consumed prey groups ranged in size from 7.31 to 13.25 mm, whereas in the spring, they ranged from 1.5 to 7.37 mm. The most abundant taxonomic group during the breeding season were insects (RA = 97.64%), and Hymenoptera was the most widely accessible (RA = 72.6%) in the habitat of the species because of the apparent abundance of ants (RA = 71.14%). We determined the Ivlev index (Li), which enables a comparison between the species' diet and the prey abundance in the habitat. According to the Ivlev Index, the Black Wheatear is an opportunistic bird, catching the majority of the area's available prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pine Processionary Moth (PPM) Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni has long been attacking Mediterranean forests. In its management strategy, Lebanon has focused mainly on pesticides, leaving natural predators as an understudied control option. This study aims to understand the distribution of the Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops, by assessing the damage caused by the PPM. We attempted to explain the distribution of the two species, their relation to other factors and, with a Citizen Science (CS) approach, we developed their distribution maps. We found that the varying PPM damage between cadastral units was linked to Important Bird Areas (IBAs), highlighting the importance of multiple birds, including the Eurasian Hoopoe, as natural predators of this pest and calling for their conservation. As understudied species in Lebanon, this paper sets the path and offers guidelines for future researchers willing to work on similar crucial research in a climate change context and reveal the underlying relation between the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian Ornithological Commission (Italian Rarities Committee) - Report 27. This report covers the years 2016-2017 and presents the assessment results of 71 submission forms involving 47 taxa. The following 53 records, involving 35 taxa, were accepted, including 7 first records for Italy (Cat. AERC: A - COI List 1A, 1B): Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors (Emilia-Romagna 2015; 5th record); Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis (Lombardy 2011; 4th record); Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (Piedmont 2016; 8th record); Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca (Apulia 2017; first record for Italy); Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus (six records: Calabria 2014, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015, Piedmont 2015, 2016, 2017, Abruzzo 2016; 9th-14th records); Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (three records: Latium 2014, Sicily 2015, 2015; 9th-11th records); Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (two records: Veneto 2014, Lombardy 2017; 14th-15th records); Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii (Latium 2015; 6th record); Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (Sicily 2012; 2nd record); Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii (Latium 2015; 3rd record); Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni (Veneto 2017; 10th record); Sabine's Gull Xema sabini (two records: Sicily 2016, Trentino-Alto Adige 2017; 10th-11th records); Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla (Liguria 2014; 5th record); Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan (three records: Campania 2014, Apulia 2015, Sicily 2015; 3rd-5th records); Heuglin's Gull Larus fuscus heuglini (Apulia 2012; 2nd record); Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis (Apulia 2014; first record for Italy); Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus (Piedmont 2014; 15th record); Sooty Falcon Falco concolor (Sicily 2015; 3rd record); Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus (Veneto 2015; 7th record); Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris (Calabria 2016; 5th record); Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus (Calabria 2017; first record for Italy); Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus (two records: Sicily 2013, Lombardy 2016; 3rd-4th records); Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis (Apulia 2015; 4th record); Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus (two records: Apulia 2012, Emilia-Romagna 2017; 9th-10th records); Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris (five records: Apulia before 1950, 2011-2014, 2016, 2016, 2017; 7th-11th records); African Desert Warbler Sylvia deserti (Sicily 2016; 6th record); Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus (Lombardy 2011; 4th record); Atlas Pied Flycatcher Ficedula speculigera (Sicily 2016; 2nd record); "Eastern" Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides/rufiventris (Sicily 2015; first record for Italy); Moussier's Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri (Sicily 2016; 10th record); North Caspian Stonechat Saxicola maurus hemprichii (two records: Sicily 2016, Latium 2017; first record for Italy - 2nd record); Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata (Tuscany 2017; first record for Italy); Whitecrowned Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga (Latium 2017; 4th record); Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii (Sicily 2017; first record for Italy); Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi (Sicily 2017; first record for Italy). The following record was accepted at the generic level only (COI List 1C): Isabelline/Red-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus/phoenicuroides (Calabria 2016; 3rd record). The following records were rejected (COI List 5A, 5B): Canvasback Aythya valisineria (Piedmont 2016); Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris (Liguria 2014); Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (Emilia-Romagna 2014); Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti (Tuscany 2017); Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii (Sicily 2016); Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura (Emilia-Romagna 2013); Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla (Tuscany 2012); White-rumped Swift Apus caffer (Sicily 2015); American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Sicily 2011); Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus (Sicily 2013); "Eastern" Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros group "phoenicuroides" (two records: Latium 2009, Sicily 2014). Five records, not included here, are still pending a wider consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woodpeckers have a strong affinity to forests and woodlands, even though they can also occur in man-made environments such as tree plantations, where they assume the role of keystone species thanks to their ability to create cavities, used as nests or refuges by other animals. However, it remains unclear how the spreading of man-made environments influences the occurrence and distribution of local populations. This study aimed to investigate the macrohabitat and microhabitat selection of the Great Spotted Woodpecker during the breeding season in a protected area in northern Italy, focusing on plantations and woodland habitats. We additionally provided some data on breeding biology and estimated the density in this area. As macrohabitat characteristics, we compared the cover of woodlands (three types: oak, black locust, and willow woodlands) and tree plantations (two types: poplar plantations and reforestations). To define the microhabitat selection, we compared environmental variables around nesting sites and around an equal number of random locations in their proximity. The Great Spotted Woodpecker selected oak and black locust woodlands, but also reforestation and poplar plantations. The results of the microhabitat analysis showed that for breeding, Great Spotted Woodpeckers require food resources, but also a rather dense arboreal vegetation and large trees. We estimated a density of 7.61 ind./km2 ± 1,13 (ES), indicating a good state of conservation. In conclusion, the Great Spotted Woodpecker occurs in both natural woodlands, where it also selects the non-native black locust, and tree plantations, despite the latter possibly being used only for foraging. Even though it is a generalist species, the woodpecker may play an important role as ecosystem engineer in both tree plantations and black locust woodlands, due to the scarcity of natural cavity in these habitats. To favour the presence of the species it is advisable to (1) increase the surface of tree vegetation of any type, (2) favour the maintenance of mature trees, (3) avoid silvicultural interventions during the breeding season (late January-late July). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present an introductory piece of research concerning the acoustic analysis of a set of song samples of Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea from two regions of Northern Italy (Veneto, Liguria). By using an R package to analyze and find variations in the structure of the species' male songs, the count of the number of sound events detected, and the duration of pause event, show the most significant differences; moreover, the duration of signal events turns out to be different. The limited sample and the current lack of specific studies for comparison do not allow the authors to speculate whether the said variations are attributable to interindividual variability or geographic isolation and habitat adaption: further research from wider geographic areas is no doubt needed, also using the methods we followed, to make the analysis replicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the movements of Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus in central Italy by GPS-tracking 10 individuals between 2019 and 2021. Our aim was to investigate the extent of movements during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. In the breeding season the mean home-range size increased from incubation (1.11 km2) to the chick-rearing period (3.35 km2), and the average home-range for the entire study period was 3.68 km2. In winter, all tagged individuals remained within a few hundred meters of their nesting area, revealing for the first time a non-migratory behaviour for the species. In conclusion, our study provides novel data on the movement ecology of Kestrels during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons, and documented the resident behaviour of Kestrels in central Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the breeding season, the Hoopoe Upupa epops inhabits traditional and diversified rural habitats with high availability of bare ground and short grass areas where it forages. Only a few studies addressed the breeding diet of this species. Most of them were conducted in the intensively cultivated plains of southern Switzerland, where Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa represents the most common prey. In contrast, limited information is available for Mediterranean habitats. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the foraging behaviour of the species in a Mediterranean heterogeneous agricultural area in Central Italy during the 2020-2021 breeding seasons. 1123 prey items brought to the nest by adults were identified using camera traps positioned near four natural nests. Insect larvae constitute 84% of the diet, of which 61% are represented by Cicada orni nymphs. The importance of cicadas in the Hoopoe diet has been never described in the literature before. C. orni seems to substitute G. gryllotalpa in the more arid and hard soil of Mediterranean areas. The observed provisioning rate to clutches showed a maximum daily mean of over 14 prey per hour. To investigate Hoopoe foraging microhabitat selection, six different microhabitat variables were measured at 64 1 m2 plots located at an equal number of foraging and random control points, by using a grid of 100 squares (10x10 cm each). Habitat selection analysis indicates that short herbaceous sward and low herbaceous cover are the fundamental factors driving foraging microhabitat selection. Our study contributed to enhancing the limited knowledge of the Hoopoe diet and foraging ecology in Mediterranean habitats and demonstrates, for the first time, the importance of Cicada orni nymphs in the diet of the species in this biogeographical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus is the only snake eagle that nests in the Palearctic. Its diet has been studied in several European countries and it is essentially based on reptiles. The aims of this work were to characterise the feeding habits of Short-toed Eagle breeding in the Tolfa Mountains (Central Italy) including a comparison of the diet with that of other populations. Moreover, we assessed changes in the diet of the former population using published data collected more than 35 years ago. We monitored five nests and three roosts between 2020 and 2021. Using camera traps and the collection and analysis of feeding remains, a total of 247 prey items were identified. The diet of the sampled nests/individuals was clearly snake-based (93.5% of prey spectrum). We found no significant differences between the diet of nestlings and adult individuals. The main prey was the Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus (83% of snakes captured), probably due to its high availability in the environment and its average size, which is positively selected by the Short-toed Eagle. Long-term comparison with previous data shows an over time contraction of the diet breadth with a relative increase of Western Whip Snake compared to other prey. The same pattern is observed in long-term studies on the snake community of our study area and is probably linked to both local anthropogenic impacts and global warming, which tend to favour thermophilic and generalist snake species During the reproductive period our population showed a narrower diet breadth when compared to the diet of other Mediterranean sites, but a similar overall structure, with a comparable frequency of snakes. The populations with the wider diet breadth are those located in areas with a greater abundance of thermophilic snake species of medium to large size, such as France, Spain and Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account that the previous quantitative data relating to the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri of Genoa (Liguria, Italy) dates back to 2009 and considering the potential impact that an alien species can have on native ones and the environment, the Genoese population of this species was studied during the years 2016-2018 to quantify its size and trend in recent years. Counts at roost resulted in a total of approximately 630 individuals, allowing us to outline the increase of the population since the first records in the 1970s: the number of individuals has rised from 46 in 1993 to more than 600 today. Data on food resources used were collected and the list of plants that parakeets feed on has been expanded. Interactions with local fauna were investigated: they turned out to be few and related to Jackdaw Corvus monedula and Urban Pigeon Columba livia var. domestica. Impacts on citizens and their activities were more consistent: damages to vegetables and garden crops were observed and the presence of roosting sites caused filth and noise. The main travel routes to and from the main dormitories were also detected during the censuses. We could also confirm the disappearance from the territory of Genoa city of the Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, we investigated the relationships between the hatching success of the Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis with egg laying onset, nest diameter, as a proxy of nest size, and egg weight, as a proxy of egg size, in an artificial wetland in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. The first egg was laid on April 23 and the last chick hatched on July 27. From 118 eggs on 25 nests, we recorded a total of 72 hatchlings (hatching rate: 61%). A generalized linear model (GLM) revealed that while egg size and nest diameter were not significant factors predicting hatching success, egg laying onset predicted significantly the hatching success as early breeders were likely to produce less hatchlings than late breeders. Further studies will be necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of such results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Purple Heron is a species of conservation concern in Europe, mainly threatened by the progressive degradation and reduction of wetlands. For future conservation practices, it is of pivotal importance to gather detailed knowledge of its habitat preferences. In June 2018, a nestling of Purple Heron from a sub-Alpine Lake in Northern Italy was equipped with a GPS/GSM device. Habitat selection during the post-fledging period (mid-July to mid-October) was analysed by superimposing the GPS locations to a fine-grained field-based map, discerning 14 habitat classes as well as narrow (<2 m) and wide (≥2 m) ditches. The contours of the home range were defined as the 99% kernel calculated on all the gathered locations, which were successively sub selected only retaining 2,017 locations representing the position of the bird every hour and all day long. Within the home range, the habitat availability was estimated by generating 10,000 random distributions of the locations. We firstly verified whether wide ditches were more frequently used by the heron if compared to narrow ones. Eventually, we calculated the ratio between the number of true and random locations falling into the different habitat classes, obtaining a series of class-specific selection ratios. We found a significant preference towards wide ditches compared to narrow ones. Freshly renewed reedbeds and cattail beds were strongly favoured, while high-bearing sedges and Black Alder were also significantly preferred but with lower indices. All the remaining habitats, including mature reedbeds, were significantly avoided. Our results reinforce the indication that the protection of minor landscape elements as ditches and small patches of wet habitats may be of pivotal importance to foster the long-term conservation of bird communities linked to the residual wetlands of the sub-Alpine belt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biometrics of the Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa has been relatively well studied in the western part of its distribution range (Iberian Peninsula and France), especially due to the available large hunting bag samples. Conversely, the Italian population is poorly characterized. We analysed a sample of 254 live birds trapped and ringed in the northern Apennines (province of Alessandria, northwestern Italy), by measuring body mass and the length of wing, eighth primary, tail, tarsus and bill. We found significant differences in some biometric measurements between sex and age classes. A subsample of birds (n = 112) was genetically tested for introgressive hybridization with A. chukar, an introduced species, showing that 16.1 % of free-living partridge are hybrid individuals. When we analysed separately “pure” and “introgressed” birds we found only small biometric differences in body mass of adult males. Finally, our results were compared with the biometry of other populations from the whole natural range of the species (France, Spain and Portugal) showing a negative biometric trend of wing length from westernmost to southeastern birds of the range. Introgressed birds found in the studied population were not easily distinguishable with biometric criteria from pure A. rufa rufa, so genetic analysis is highly recommended when planning reintroductions or restocking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification and mechanization are major threats to farmland birds in Europe. The Corncrake Crex crex was a common and widespread species in rural landscapes in Italy, but its numbers strongly declined in most of its former range in the last half of the 20th century. Although it is a well-studied species in the Eastern Italian Alps, where most of the Italian population now occurs, there is no published information from the Western part of the range. This study aimed to describe the distribution of the Corncrake in the regions of Piedmont and Aosta Valley, taking into account both historical and recent records. Additionally, we assessed the habitat in which apparently breeding individuals were found. Overall, 78 occurrences of this species were recorded in the study region. Migrating individuals occurred at lower elevations, whilst possible breeding records were located at higher elevations in meadow-pastures and secondary grasslands. Two main current hotspots were identified in the Chisone Valley and in the valleys in the province of Cuneo, which represent the core areas for the species in Piedmont and Aosta Valley. The observation trend shows a possible recovery of the population at the regional scale, although a large-scale dedicated survey is needed to estimate population size. In 2020, the highest number of singing males in one site (5) was recorded with individuals observed above 1800 m. Conservation measures at a regional scale addressing grassland management (including mowing and grazing) might benefit the species and promote a wider recolonization of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An agroecosystem with high environmental heterogeneity located in the low Veronese Po plain (Italy) was monitored over a seven-year period, from 2013 to 2019. In the study area three transects representative of three types of environment were selected: arboreal-shrubby hedge, cultivated land, and linear wood. Using a line transect method, five visits were made in each breeding season. For each habitat type, the following indices were calculated: Richness, Relative species frequency, I.K.A., Abundance and Density of territorial males, and Shannon Diversity. A total of 39 breeding species were registered. Whittaker's diagrams highlighted the presence of high levels of richness and diversity in the linear wood and arboreal-shrubby hedge environments. The cultivated area hosts species considered as bioindicators of highly extensive agricultural environments. The characteristics of the arboreal-shrubby hedge seemed optimal to support a well-structured and stable bird community, and some typical species of hedges such as Sylvia communis and Luscinia megarhynchos had reached I.K.A. comparable to the highest recorded in Italy. The trends of the main parameters of all three communities did not show statistically significant fluctuations in the years of sampling. The results show a high degree of general ecological interest and conservation importance of the study area, also in comparison of other similar Italian agroecosystems, since we found 14 breeding species of high conservation concern, among which three included in Annex 1 of the 2009 Directive / 147 / EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Strait of Messina, in southern Italy, is a well-known migration hotspot for diurnal migrants such as raptors. Radar studies have also shown that there is a considerable rate of nocturnal passage of migrants during spring migration. During the spring season 2015, we combined mist net trapping with radar observations at a site on the Calabrian side of the Strait, to characterize the species composition of nocturnally migrating passerines, and to investigate the relationship between the numbers of birds flying over and the ones stopping at the study site. Despite the radar counted nearly four millions tracks of birds flying overhead, only 242 individuals were captured with mist nets during the same period. Of these, only 70 (28.9 %) were potential migrants. There was no correlation between the number of daily captures and the number of tracks recorded by radar on the previous night. The application of radar observations clearly shows that a large proportion of passing migrants may go undetected when relying on counts of birds at a watchpoint for diurnal observations only. The Strait of Messina seems to be a passage site for nocturnally migrating birds including songbirds. However, most favourable stopover sites for these birds might be found further South, possibly not far from our study site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True shrikes (family Laniidae, genus Lanius) are birds highly associated with open and farmed landscapes and have suffered significant declines all over the world, especially due to increasingly intense agriculture and climatic fluctuations. In Italy, three species breed: Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) and Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator). All three are threatened and considered Vulnerable (the first two species) or Endangered (the latter species) in Italy. The purpose of this study was to provide new insights on the nesting ecology of Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrikes in Italy by territory mapping in six sampling areas in Apulia in 2009-2013. I also collected data on nest location and breeding success. I mapped 93 territories of Lesser Grey Shrike (for 127 breeding attempts) and 84 territories of Woodchat Shrike (for 107 breeding attempts) and noted a decline in shrike numbers over the five years. Most territories of Lesser Grey Shrikes were used for one nesting attempt (71.0%) and the remainder used twice, showing a clear site fidelity. Similarly for the Woodchat Shrike, more than 20% of territories were used for two nesting attempts. Both species formed solitary pairs, but 5% of Lesser Grey Shrike formed two-pair clusters and I found only a single two-pair cluster of Woodchat Shrikes. Lesser Grey Shrikes nested in isolated trees (mainly oaks, elms, almond, and olive trees), building a nest at 4.2 m above the ground, partially hidden and placed in a distal position respect the tree trunk. The first record of Macedonian Oak and Olive being used for nest support was obtained. I found only three nests of the Woodchat Shrike. Fledged broods of Lesser Grey Shrike composed on average 2.3 juveniles; for the Woodchat Shrike this value is 1.9 juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short report proposes to integrate the recent checklist of the bird species of Italy with an alien species breeding in Italy since 2011, the Alexandrine parakeet Psittacula eupatria. Two reproductive populations are currently present, one in Reggio Emilia with about 20 individuals and the other one in Rome, with 3-4 birds. Records of single free–ranging individuals of this species of Indian origin occurred in other locations of northern-central Italy, in one case recorded for several consecutive years and then disappeared. If this report will be accepted by the COI, the Italian checklist reaches a total of 20 naturalised and not yet naturalised alien birds, i.e. the 3.6% of listed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Career Researchers (ECRs) represent the next generation of ornithologists. In order to maximise the potential of ECRs to science, it is important to understand their perceptions of the opportunities and constraints that they face. We undertook a pilot study based on a questionnaire survey to gauge attitudes of ECRs in ornithology towards the current research environment, future career prospects, and gender bias. ECRs were defined as having less than five years' post-doctoral experience. The ECRs surveyed included BSc and MSc students, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. The goal of the majority of ECRs was a career in academia, but there was also interest in working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Career prospects were perceived as increasingly negative from BSc/MSc students through to postdocs, likely reflecting a career bottleneck at the post-doctoral level. The influence of Twitter, open access publishing, open access data and journal Impact Factors were generally perceived as positive, although many BSc/MSc students had apparently little awareness of these initiatives. Female, but not male, ECRs perceived their gender to have a negative influence on their job prospects, and also were less likely to agree that a research career was compatible with having a family/partner. Our findings could be used to help ECRs to fulfil their ambitions in terms of establishing a career in ornithology. We suggest that provision of better support, communication and training to ECRs, as well as continuing initiatives to address gender bias, will improve the research environment for the next generation of ornithologists. These goals could be achieved through targeted events at national and international conferences and through enhanced communication on social media platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Black-tyrants" (Tyrannidae: Knipolegus) are a distinctive Neotropical genus of flycatchers with black or dark grey males and brownish or reddish females. Five species have previously been reported in Paraguay and a discussion of all verifiable reports is provided. Knipolegus striaticeps is considered resident and a presumed breeder, but no nest has yet been reported. Knipolegus hudsoni is considered a passage migrant in September and October. Knipolegus cyanirostris is considered a winter visitor. Knipolegus aterrimus is known from few records in the Chaco region, and is possibly a rare altitudinal migrant. The status of Knipolegus lophotes requires further investigation, with Paraguay representing the western extreme of its known range. The first report of Knipolegus poecilurus for the country is documented with photographs. This high-Andean species is considered to be a vagrant pending further information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian habitats have gone through major structural changes, and related bird populations had to suffer the consequences or adapt to the newfound conditions. Here, we present the results of the analysis of the river and quarry evolution, in relation to a long-term monitoring (1970-2016) of a Sand Martins population nesting along the River Po in northern Italy. During the course of the study, the population changed breeding site, preferring more anthropogenic sites in the surrounding quarries to the natural river banks. The alteration of the river dynamic and linearization of the course, alongside the development of the sand quarries, may have caused this change. We conclude with a consideration on the ways to support the survival of populations of riparian birds. Functional nesting habitat along the river should be better preserved, and potential nesting areas in the surrounding quarries should be protected with long term restoration projects. Sand quarries are not free of threats, and cooperation among stakeholders has proven to be of the utmost importance to ensure the success of the population breeding in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of several farmland bird species have suffered sharp declines linked to increased environmental homogeneity and reduced biodiversity, particularly of insects, upon which several farmland birds feed. Diet, in turn, has a crucial role in organism fitness. Antioxidants acquired through diet, in particular, help by protecting the organisms against the effects of Reactive Oxygen Species, which originate as a natural by-product of metabolism. Here we investigated the relationships among environmental heterogeneity, diet composition, and oxidative status by using Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) nestlings as a model. By analysing chitin fragments extracted from faecal sacs, we found that nestlings' diet was mainly composed by four insect families: Formicidae (Hymenoptera), Aphodidae (Coleoptera), Tabanidae and Syrphidae (Diptera). We also observed body parts of Diabrotica virgifera, the most important insect pest of maize (Zea mais) in the world. Nestling diet composition varied with environmental heterogeneity in the foraging range of adult Barn Swallow (i.e. 200 m from each colony). The antioxidant capacity (AOC) of nestlings, which was assessed using the OXY-Adsorbent test on blood plasma samples, peaked at intermediate values of diet diversity, suggesting that it can be mediated by the composition of the nestlings' diet. Heterogeneous environments may offer a wide array of prey, and this may allow foraging Barn Swallows to feed their nestlings with selected prey that may enhance their oxidative status. Similar mechanisms may act for a wide array of farmland birds, thus shading light on the mechanisms that link habitat homogenization and bird population declines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bird community analysis, carried out by transect and point count methods, are quantitative analysis. Our aim in this paper is to analyse the results, based on each of these tools, using Marxan, a mapping software to obtain a zonation of a protect area in Mediterranean central Italy . The management algorithms of protected areas are widely used to identify potential networks of natural reserves that meet pre-established ecological limits, such as the presence of a specific percentage of habitats or a specific number of populations, at the same time minimizing costs. The Marxan software was made for different habitat where fragmentation of natural patches are significantly lower than in the study area, but it show interesting and useful result also in this situation. Marxan is particularly useful to solve the problem of the minimum set, in which the aim is to identify, at the lowest possible cost, the areas in which the biodiversity preconditions identified are present. In this work the Circeo National Park (Central Italy) was analysed, as an example of the Mediterranean area. We elaborated, through Marxan a series of maps of the priority areas for conservation that can be used as a starting point working with all the stakeholders involved in the management of the area itself. The main information suggests is to take particular attention to seasonal variations in the composition of the bird communities and, consequently, to the weight that the Park assumes at national and international level in the context of migratory movements and biodiversity conservation. In addition, special attention must be paid to the growing of intensive, rapidly expanding agricultural activities that are not enough controlled and are potentially highly damaging for the Park's biodiversity, both in terms of vegetation and fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy harbours a large proportion of the breeding populations of several threatened or declining farmland species, but has been under-represented for a long time in studies about ecology and conservation of farmland birds. In the last two decades, several studies have partially filled the gap, providing key knowledge for their conservation; however, the practical implementation of conservation strategies had been very limited, and many aspects still require research. I analyse the status of farmland birds in Italy, identify main issues for their conservation, and propose directions for effective conservation strategies. Species tied to grassland-like habitats (hay meadow, montane grassland, pasture, pseudosteppe) currently have the most concerning conservation status, followed by species occupying agricultural mosaics and shrubland; only generalist species are performing better and include many species with favourable conservation status. Several factors/pressures negatively affect breeding farmland birds in Italy. Main threats could be tentatively assigned to six "challenges": agricultural intensification, land abandonment, pest management, low breeding success, difficult practical implementation of conservation measures, within-season shift in distribution and habitat by breeding species. They are interconnected by means of direct effects or by acting on the same ultimate drivers of population dynamics. Such challenges mostly act at two levels: the landscape scale, and the field management level. For each one, I summarise available evidence from studies carried out in Italy, discuss conservation implications and their current/possible implementations, and highlight main needs in terms of future research. In general, key issues for conservation are: planning measures at the right scales; conserving, restoring and correctly managing grassland; conserving/enhancing 'marginal' features and heterogeneity; correctly managing ground vegetation in perennial crops; facing the 'nest crisis'; considering the temporally different suitability and the connectivity among patches; evaluating the economic outcomes and the broader benefits of different conservation strategies. Implementation of measures for farmland birds requires multi-faceted efforts, targeted at different stakeholders; a focus also on the ecosystem services arising from a biodiversity-friendly management could provide a broader support for conservation initiatives. Now it is time to intensively cooperate with practitioners (farmers at first) to translate into management protocols and appealing agri-environmental schemes the conservation implications of research carried out in the last decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global wildlife trade poses an increasing threat to the world's biota. One-fifth of the global wildlife trade is fuelled by the demand for animals used as pets and entertainment purposes. The CITES Trade Database contains data on the declared trade of CITESlisted species from 1975 onwards. Previous research has focussed on the commercial trade of heavily persecuted species such as the Saker Falcon Falco cherrug. However there has yet to be an extensive review quantifying CITES trade data for live raptors and owls destined for global commercial markets. This study analyses trends in CITES trade data between 1975 and 2015 for live raptors and owls, highlighting key importer and exporter countries and discusses implications for raptor and owl conservation. Our results showed that the number of traded raptor and owl species has increased since 1975. We found that the most traded raptor species included hybrids in the genus Falco, the Gyrfalcon F. rusticolus and the Saker Falcon. In addition, our analyses revealed that the Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops, Northern White-Faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis and the Little Owl Athene noctua were the most commonly traded owl species. Our results suggested that Japan was the largest global importer of raptors and owls contributing to 94% of wild-caught owl imports since 1975, followed by the United Arab Emirates who imported the largest number of captive-bred raptors. Key exporter and re-exporter countries were the United Kingdom, Guinea and Germany. We conclude that the declared, legal commercial trade in live raptors and owls does not currently pose a large conservation concern to many such species. However, at present, there is a lack of quantified evidence highlighting the global extent and impact of the unregulated illegal raptor and owl trade, which is of conservation concern and is a current research gap that must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During migration birds adopt flight strategies that often differ between spring and autumn. This behaviour can lead to differences in migratory paths as well as in flight performances between seasons, and may help to explain seasonal differences in the numbers of birds passing through migratory bottlenecks. Visual observations have revealed that larger numbers of adult European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus pass through the Central Mediterranean region during spring rather than during autumn migration, while the opposite occurs at the Strait of Gibraltar. It suggested that substantial numbers of birds, probably belonging to the population breeding in eastern Europe, use an anticlockwise loop migration performing a risk-minimization strategy during autumn and a time minimization strategy during spring migration to maximize their fitness. In this study we analyze for the first time three autumn and three spring migrations of an adult bird belonging to this population tracked by satellite telemetry, also in relation to wind conditions. Each year the bird used the large-scale loop migration between the breeding site located in northern Hungary and the wintering ground in northern Cameroon, showing a higher overall migration speed, shorter paths and longer water crossings during spring movements. The bird benefited from a more efficient tail wind support during spring, while compensated the effect of lateral winds mostly at the onset of both autumn and spring migration. Finally, the bird initiated the spring sea-crossing at the same location each year, but showed remarkable flexibility in route choice across the sea in response to annual differences in different wind conditions. These results support the idea that the stronger aggregation of adult European Honey Buzzards in Central Mediterranean bottlenecks in spring vs autumn largely consists of adults breeding in central-eastern Europe that return to their nesting sites along a relatively direct route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization is one of the main permanent landscape changes we are witnessing. Some raptor species are increasing their urban population sizes but others are facing local extinctions due to new settlements. To investigate the composition of raptor community and abundance, we counted wintering raptors in five Protected Areas, three located inside an urban environment and two situated in a large part of the countryside around the city. The most abundant species were the Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus and the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. The first species was distributed across both landscape types whereas the second required woodland to overwinter. Both species actively selected undisturbed open areas with natural vegetation and tended to avoid artificial surfaces. The results suggest that larger rural areas better support wintering raptor communities than urban contexts, in particular when rural areas are located along the coastline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moult is one of three major energy-demanding life-history events in the annual cycle of birds but unlike breeding and migration it is poorly studied. Most of the long-distance migratory raptors suspend moult during migration and then finish it in their wintering quarters. However, detailed information on moult at staging or premigratory sites is rather scarce. In this study, 280 shed feathers collected from communal roosts were used to investigate the moult of a migratory falcon, the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni during the premigratory period. The results suggest that there are several differences regarding the pattern and timing of moult between sex classes during the premigratory period, with females showing a more advanced moult stage than males. In addition, Lesser Kestrels and especially females seem to perform a complete moult of wing and tail feathers prior to migration. Birds engage in an intense moult as soon as they arrive in the premigration areas whereas such moult strategy could be considered as an adaptation for exploiting superabundant food resources available in the area during late August. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the Little Owl Athene noctua distribution in the city of Milan with a single-visit survey carried out during the 2013 breeding season. We searched for Little Owls in 82 sampling stations spread out all over the city using play-back technique. We detected 52 Little Owls in 33 sampling stations. The species appeared to be quite common in the municipality of Milan but with a greater abundance in the southern outskirts (Parco Agricolo Sud Milano). We modelled species occurrence by means of Generalized Additive Models selecting our best models with an information-theoretic approach. Little Owls' presence resulted more likely in presence of permanent crops and farmsteads. The latter represent one of the main sources of nesting sites for the species. Little Owl's detection is also more likely in relation with buildings' mean height, of about 10 meters while it appears to avoid completely the more dense urban areas present in the central and in the north-eastern side of Milan. The Little owl is finally more likely to be found in the larger urban parks. The species' distribution in the study area showed a significant spatial autocorrelation. Our best model accurately predicts 80.2% of observed data. According to model predictions 29.5% of the municipal territory has a medium or medium-high habitat suitability for the Little Owl. Field methods used in this work seemed to be easily carried out even by non-professionals. We discussed the global survey protocol for the species in light of our experience and with the desirable outlook of a large scale monitoring programme in our country: this is urgently needed to fill in the gap of knowledge on large scale distribution and population trends of the Little owl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleonora's Falcon is well known for its delayed breeding season among European breeding raptors, however its relatively prolonged pre-breeding period remains to date largely understudied. In this study we compiled information on the species' behavior based on data from systematic field surveys to investigate activity patterns of Eleonora's falcons during the pre-breeding period in an area that holds one of the largest colonies across its breeding range, namely the island of Antikythira in the southern edge of the Aegean Sea. According to our findings, large islands hosting Eleonora's falcons breeding colonies may also constitute important foraging areas during the pre-breeding period as foraging was the main activity undertaken by the falcons. Foraging was mostly performed in areas where food availability, either staging birds or insects, is expected to be highest, namely in cultivated areas. Considering the habitat composition in the study area, previous findings on the spatiotemporal activity patterns of staging migrants and our opportunistic observations of foraging falcons, our findings suggest that birds could constitute an alternative food of source during this period of the year within our study area. Therefore, the revival of agricultural practices is expected to enhance local biodiversity and constitute a conservation priority for Eleonora's falcons in the study area. Still, further studies are required to decipher the distribution pattern and habitat associations during the pre-breeding period of Eleonora's falcons and ultimately guide conservation schemes at a larger spatial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]