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This paper summarizes a two-year (2021 and 2022) survey which sought to determine the breeding population of White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) in Hungary. The survey was initiated by the Hungarian Woodpecker Group of MME/BirdLife Hungary and was the first to be conducted nationwide on this species. All hill ranges where the species was historically known to occur were visited. A total of 31 observers were involved, and 102 UTM squares in which White-backed Woodpeckers were known to breed, or potentially breed, were visited. The results suggest that the Hungarian breeding population of this endangered species ranges between 480 and 800 pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woodpeckers as cavity excavators are crucial in forest ecosystems, therefore, it is important to study their ecological needs, specifically at the territory scale, using mapping methodologies, of which there are uncertainties considering detection probabilities and the distances of the territory centres in different species and habitats. We studied the effects of the number of visits and isolation distance on detected woodpecker territories in the 1,000 ha forest mosaic of the Peszér forest in Central Hungary. We made territory mapping in 2020 along existing trails and forest roads on the present woodpecker species as Black, Eurasian Green, Great Spotted, Middle Spotted, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Eurasian Wryneck. We found a very low detection probability for single territories during one visit, while with the increasing number of visits it is more unlikely to overlook territories. Considering the isolation distances, by lowering the distance, more territories can be registered, which suggests that researchers should take great care choosing the proper distance for a given species whilst avoiding the over- or underestimation of territories. This paper has an actuality as BirdLife Hungary announced the Eurasian Green Woodpecker as the Bird of the Year in 2022, for drawing attention to this species' habitat preferences and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on bird collision with power lines in Hungary is rather limited. We collected published records and carried out research on birds that collided with overhead wires, and we made a list of species, and the number of individuals recorded, around Pusztaszer Landscape Protection Area. The quality of data did not allow us to do robust statistical tests, and a large amount of collected data was not used in this paper, because of uncertainty. Finally, we used the records of 519 individuals of 63 species that got injured or died during collision with overhead wires. We found evidence, that low-, middle- and high-voltage power lines were all responsible for the collision accidents of birds. Birds that use wetlands or both wetlands and farmlands are the most threatened to collide with overhead electric wires. Most victims of collision accidents belong to Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Pelecaniformes and Anseriformes orders. Our preliminary results suggest that the bigger the rate of weight and wingspan (wing-loading proxy) is, the greater the risk of birds colliding with power lines, probably because of poor manoeuvrability. Birds that move regularly, on a daily basis between their nests/roost sites and foraging areas are at higher risk to collide with electric wires. Our preliminary results do not support the hypothesis that birds which sit on power lines collide more frequently than birds that do not use wires. It seems that foggy weather circumstances increase the probability of collision events particularly in case of Common Cranes. Some large birds were found with burnt feathers after collision with middle-voltage power lines. A sizeable part of collided birds were protected or strictly protected. Bird collision with overhead wires is a serious problem in Hungary. Collision can be stopped on most dangerous part of overhead wires by converting to underground cabling. It is possible to reduce the number of collision events in case of high-voltage power lines by increasing their visibility. We always recommend underground cabling in case of wetlands, if new segments of electric wires would be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds with atypical colours in their plumage are not uncommon however, the potential causes of such aberrations have not been widely examined. Aberrant brownish-rufous phaeomelanin is one type of plumage colour that has been recorded in numerous bird species, including those which essentially contain only eumelanin (black) pigments, including several European woodpeckers. A Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocoptes medius with aberrant phaeomelanised plumage observed in the Bükk Hills, Hungary, is detailed here and an evaluation of the possible nature of this form of plumage discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis n. sp. an extinct member of the cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae). The fossil was found in 2021 by geologist János Futó in the sediments of a small cave cavity on the side of Várhegy in Sümeg, a part of the Bakony Mountains of West Hungary, where Late Miocene (MN11–12) vertebrate fossils have been found in the past decades. The total number of bone fragments collected was 14, of which only three can be identified. Two of these belong to adults and one, due to its poor preservation and size, to a very young specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we detected and compared changes in the annual and daily captures of the Eurasian (Certhia familiaris) and Short-toed Treecreeper (C. brachydactyla) in the timing of their post-breeding movements, in the length of minimum stopover duration (MSD) in the area, and also in biometrics in western Hungary. The birds were captured and ringed, or recaptured from the end of July to the first weekend of November in all years from 2001 to 2023. The annual captures of both species indicated stable populations in this period, with milder February months having a positive effect on annual captures. There were similarities and differences in the movement strategies and habitat selection of the species. During the post-breeding season, the Eurasian Treecreeper was more strongly associated with the scrubland and forest edge than the Short-toed Treecreeper. There were two autumn capture waves in September and October for the Eurasian Treecreepers and just one in September for the Short-toed Treecreepers, which were primarily consisted of birds captured only once. There were no significant differences in wing length of the three capture intervals (July-August, September, October-November) in either species, which suggests that the dynamics of post-breeding movements cannot be explained on the bases of possible differences in the behavior of sexes, ages, or populations. The proportion of birds captured only once was about double of that of stopovers in both species each year. The average real length of stopover duration in the area for Eurasian Treecreepers was 94.25 days, and 84.31 days for Short-toed Treecreepers. The length of MSD in the area was not significantly associated with wing length and body mass in either species. Individuals of both species did not gain fat stores significantly during post-breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ornis Hungarica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ornis Hungarica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ornis Hungarica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ornis Hungarica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article reviews of the Galliformes fo from the Mátraszőlős 3 site in Hungary from the Middle Miocene. A total of 200 bones have so far been recovered from site at Mátraszőlős 3, of which the identification of 95 bones will be discussed in this article, including anatomical differences between species. Within the fossil record, Palaeocryptonix hungaricus (Jánossy 1991) and three species of Palaeortyx have been identify (P. phasianoides Milne-Edwards, 1869, P. gallica Milne-Edwards, 1869 and P. brevipes Milne-Edwards, 1869). Only one bone of P. brevipes was recovered. As the appearance of the members of the family can be traced back to the early Oligocene, while the majority of the species are of Neogene origin, the study contributes to a better understanding of the distribution of extinct pheasant speciesin the Carpathian Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of migration of Eurasian Woodcock (n=23,539 specimens) collected in Hungary during spring sampling (2010–2019) in the framework of the Woodcock Bag Monitoring. There were differences in the temporal course of the spring migration of the species between the western and eastern regions of Hungary. In the western Hungarian counties, migration started earlier in all cases, while in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county the main migration period – i.e. the period between the 25% and 75% cumulative sampling thresholds – started on average one week later than in Somogy county. We investigated the influence of weather factors on the spatial and temporal pattern of migration, in addition to geographical causes, based on the distribution of Péczely's macrosynoptic situations recorded the week before and after the migration peak. In years free of weather extremes, the migration period was characterised by neutral (80.0%) macrosynoptic situations, with unfavourable (9.5%) and favourable (10.5%) conditions occurring less frequently. In the years with weather anomalies (2013, 2016, 2018), unfavourable macrosynoptic situations (81.3%) determined the spring migration characteristics. Weather anomalies (macrosynoptic conditions with gale-force winds and heavy snowfall) affected the timing of spring migration, but regional differences were observed in all years regardless of weather conditions, suggesting that spring migration of Woodcock is phase-delayed in the southern Transdanubian and north-eastern regions of Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between landscape structure at different distances from the Drava River in South Hungary and the food composition of the Common Barn-owl. Pellets were collected from 15 villages between 2006 and 2008. Based on the CORINE land cover elements, five land use types were determined, and five landscape metrics were calculated to compare land use and landscape structure in the three distance zones. There were significant differences in the Shannon and Simpson diversity of small mammal assemblages between the three areas. A positive relationship was detected between the distance categories and the abundance distribution of the Striped Field Mouse and Field Vole. The relative abundance of the Striped Field Mouse in the diet of Common Barn-owl was influenced by the increase in the mean perimeter/area ratio and the mean of the contiguity index. The value of the trophic level index was negatively influenced by the decrease in crop patches and the increase in pasture and grassland areas, which land use types facilitate the distribution of insectivores. Our results suggest that landscape characteristics influence prey occurrence in hunting areas and the frequency-dependent availability of small mammal prey, which determines the resource utilization of Common Barn-owl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have identified the mostly very fragmentary bird fossils from the uncatalogued material of the Hungarian Institute of Geology and Geophysics to the level that the condition of the bones allows. Almost half of the 102 bone pieces (42 fragments) could be completely or partially identified, while the rest (60 fragments represented either by bone fragments or by toe phalanges, claws, mandibles, etc.) could not be identified. The material identified includes taxa previously published and known from the site, but a good number of these are represented by other bones or parts of bones, as in previous publications (Palaeortyx phasianoides Milne-Edwards, 1869, Palaeocryptonix hungaricus Jánossy, 1991, Porzana † kretzoii Kessler, 2009, Glaucidium † baranensis Kessler, 2010, Apus † baranensis Jánossy, 1977, Lullula † minor Kessler, 2013, Delichon † polgardiensis Kessler, 2013, Riparia † major Kessler, 2013, Sitta † gracilis Kessler, 2013). The taxa identified at order, family or genus level are listed in the main text and complemented by one figure, as well as a rich bibliographic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult and juvenile survival are important factors affecting the population dynamics of small passerines. Understanding variation in the population dynamics and survival rates is critical for ecological studies and nature conservation. The aim of this study was to investigate the annual capture-recapture, apparent survival and capture probabilities of the Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus and the Great Tit Parus major occurring in western Hungary. Data from 8,628 Blue Tits and 7,727 Great Tits came from a constant-effort ringing scheme, using three ringing periods, spanning 24 years (1998 to 2021). The annual captures did not show a significant linear trend from 1998 to 2021 in the study site for both tit species. The temporal variation of annual captures and the annual capture-recapture proportions of different ages and sexes of the tit species were similar. This indicated that the migration strategies of these two partial migrant species did not differ significantly. According to the best standard Cormack-Jolly-Seber model, apparent survival of first-year birds was lower than that for adults. The CJS model selection for the dataset indicated that the time and sex had no effect on apparent survival probabilities for both tit species. Capture probability in the juvenile groups was not significantly higher than that in the adult groups for both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Hungary, changes in the White Stork population are monitored using two methods that involve a large number of volunteers: nest surveys since 1941, and since 1999 within the framework of the Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (MMM) programme. In our article, we briefly present the results of the nest survey data between 1999 and 2021, the population trend calculated on the basis of them, and the comparison of the latter with the trends shown by the MMM programme, which – among other species – counts all stork individuals on 2.5×2.5 km sample areas. Both sets of data show a decreasing trend, but there is a significant difference between them, which may be partly due to the inaccuracies of the nest database, considering the fact that the MMM also counts non-breeding adult and immature individuals. However, both methods have the characteristics that make them suitable for monitoring population trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the effects of weather and climatic patterns on the productivity of the White Stork in Hungary between 1958 and 2017, using i) linear mixed effect models (LMM), ii) LMM-s extended by a single random effect variable or a nested combination; iii) LMM-s extended by a single fixed effect variable and iv) using an additive model of the selected variables. As a preselection, the following climatic variables were identified with substantial support: March mean temperature, March precipitation, April mean temperature, June mean temperature, June precipitation (negative), July mean temperature. The slight increase of the mean number of fledged chicks over 59 years could be the result of the increasing mean temperature, but in itself it might not be strong enough to prove that climate change will overall benefit White Stork productivity. Higher temperature and precipitation values are favourable, probably because of the higher biomass, providing more prey, but high precipitation is unfavourable until the thermoregulation of chicks is not developed. Decreasing amounts of precipitation may cause loss of wetlands as suitable feeding sites. Extreme weather is important to complement the picture given by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foraging behaviour and habitat use of the Eurasian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis at various sites in Hungary over a 20-year period was documented. Detailed observations were recorded on foraging behaviour at hard substrates; in quarries, cliffs and human made structures of brick and stone construction. Using Chi-square tests on the frequency of observations of birds at hard substrates foraging sites, we compared usage during periods of snow cover and those without. Birds were found to be more frequently observed at hard substrates during periods of snow cover because these remained largely free of snow. We supposed that this response was due to invertebrate prey becoming increasingly scarce generally across typical foraging sites, i.e. grasslands and meadows during harsh winter conditions. Accessibility to the alternative sites became important as a source of food because availability of prey was more reliable. Vertical surfaces of hard substrates such as those associated with quarries, cliffs and buildings may be important to sustain Eurasian Green Woodpeckers in periods of snow cover where these provide a valuable foraging resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of available publications on the post-fledging parental care of wading birds (herons, ibises, spoonbills, and storks) and many other bird species is limited. In this study, I summarised the available knowledge collated from the observations of the Eurasian Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) in Hungary. A part of the available data is based on observations of colour-ringed individuals. The latest feeding event of a young by its parent was observed at Lake Csaj on 5 October 2020. The youngsters were being fed by their parents for 43 days (observed maximum) during the post-fledging dispersal. However, I estimated that this behaviour could even last for as long as 53 days. The parents lead (care for) their yearlings for 51 days (observed maximum), again I estimated that it could potentially last for a longer period of 63 days. The estimated length of parental care and feeding period could be longer or a little bit shorter during the post-fledging dispersal because it was not possible to follow the life of the families exactly. During parental care (feeding and leading of chicks), the majority of the colour-ringed Spoonbills were observed 2–26 km to the natal colonies of yearlings and the breeding colonies of the adults. However, on some occasions, they were 111–145 km far from those colonies. During the post-fledging dispersal, Spoonbills care for their chicks for a longer time than the European breeding heron species. A possible reason could be that the bills of young Spoonbills are not appropriate for fishing effectively at the beginning of fledging because of their shorter length and their less efficient hydrodynamic effect during lateral sweeping. Another reason could be that Spoonbills are tactile foragers and need more time to learn fishing. Based on data of a juvenile followed by a GPS device, learning the migration route and stop-over sites from parents or experienced adults could be important for Spoonbills, otherwise, young migrating alone with no accomplished individuals may not find the optimal routes and the proper stop-over areas. In the case of Spoonbills, we still do not know exactly the features of parental care during the post-fledging dispersal and have even less data on it during the migration. Thus, I request potential observers along the Adriatic Flyway to record the observations of parent-offspring interactions (feeding by parents, begging) particularly the Hungarian colour-ringed adults and/or young individuals and send data to the author's e-mail address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have defined at the order, subfamily, family or genus level the very fragmentary and small-size bird bone material from the three Pliocene-age sites in southern Hungary (Beremend 26, Csarnóta 2 and 4), which is in the collection of the Museum of the Hungarian Institute of Geology and Geophysics. The non-catalogued bone fragments remaining from the already examined material were identified. The number of taxa identified is 26, of which one species is new to science. The new species (Pliogallus csarnotanus n. sp.) belongs to a hitherto disputed genus, which is thus recognised through the newly defined material. Of the rest of the material, only Paleocryptonix hungaricus Jánossy, 1991 and Glaucidium baranensis Kessler, 2010 have been identified to species level, the Gallinula, Porzana, Merops, Garrulus, Nucifraga finds to genus level, while the other 18 taxa have been identified only to subfamily or family level (Perdicinae, Columbidae, Alaudidae, Hirundinidae, Panuridae, Paridae, Sittidae, Certhiidae, Muscicapidae, Turdidae, Sylviidae, Motacillidae, Prunellidae, Laniidae, Sturnidae and Fringillidae), or only to order level (Charadriiformes, Coraciiformes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to document characteristics of cavities used for breeding by White-backed Woodpeckers Dendrocopos leucotos in Hungary. Twenty-five nest cavities were examined over a period of ten years (2011–2020). Five different tree species were used. The cavities were excavated at a mean height of 4.6 m and 2.2 m standard deviation and ranged from 2 to 8 m. All cavities found were in the main trunks of trees with trunk diameters ranging between 35–55 cm with a mean of 41.6 cm and 5.6 cm standard deviation. A southerly orientation of cavity entrances prevailed with a mean direction of 189±74 clockwise from north (median 180° IQR = 113°). The results suggest that cavity entrance orientation was non-random. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) is a regular, but small-number breeder in spruce and coniferous forests in the mountainous and hilly areas of Hungary, but is found in all parts of the country during migration. Despite this, only sporadic field observation data and ringing results in Western Hungary have been published so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the migration of this species on a national scale. In our work, we processed field observation data collected on the Csanádi-hát and capture-recapture data from three bird ringing stations (Szalonna, Tömörd and Ócsa) from the second half of the 1980s to 2021. We also used archive published field observation data from different parts of Hungary. Our results show that the spring migration of the species in the study areas took place between mid-March and late April – early May, and its timing did not differ significantly between regions. In contrast, the autumn migration was earlier in mountainous areas than in lowland areas. The small numbers and short duration of recaptured birds suggested a rapid migration in both periods. In autumn, we obtained a significant difference between the annual number of birds captured in Tömörd and Szalonna. In both periods, males were caught in greater numbers than females. In southern Hungary, the timing of migration in spring has not changed, but in autumn the species migrated earlier than a few decades ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We documented the foraging activities of woodpeckers on selected trees in an established conservation-oriented management study in five oak-dominated forests in Hungary. We examined the tree species preference of woodpeckers as a group and the impact of specific tree characteristics on the habitat use of woodpeckers. We estimated the percentage of visible foraging signs on the trunks and upper limbs of selected trees through the winter and early spring of 2019–2020. Based on the Jacobs' index, woodpeckers preferred oak species for foraging and most foraging signs were on limbs rather than trunks. Foraging signs on trunks were more frequent on those of larger diameters and greater heights. It was also found that the lower the tree, the greater the effect of its diameter on the occurrence of signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study of acoustic communication at seven nest cavities of Eurasian Wrynecks, sound recordings were made of ninety-one separate bursts of tapping. From Hungary in the east, and France in the west, tapping was heard both from inside cavities and at their entrances. Analysis of the tapping rhythms indicated two forms corresponding to different observed behaviour. They were never loud and were used exclusively in communication between breeding pairs. No functional significance was found in the only two brief examples of tapping fast enough to be described structurally as drumming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on 356 observations of Woodcock nestings published in the Hungarian hunting and ornithological literature between 1846 and 2019, which also includes published and unpublished personal observations, it can be stated that the nesting dates of Woodcock in Hungary are scattered over a large interval. 47.3% of all nestings registered with exact dates (n=93) happen in April. The second peak of breeding in June does not stand out significantly. Based on the data of the clutches (n=65) reported with known number of eggs, as well as the clutches (n=14) – probably with full number of eggs – found in the Hungarian egg collections, the average number of eggs per clutch was 3.8. Based on the observational data of the Woodcock families (n=36) observed during the study period, the number of chicks per hen was 3.6, of which the hens were able to raise an average of 2.8 chicks up to a flying age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-three nest cavities of Green Woodpeckers (Picus viridis) in Hungary were documented over a period of 15 years (2006–2020). Thirteen different tree species were used. All documented cavities were in the main trunks of trees. The mean cavity height was 5.6 m and 1.5 m standard deviation and ranged from 2 to 9 m. Tree trunk diameters ranged between 36–55 cm with a mean of 43.1 cm and 4.2 cm standard deviation. A southerly orientation of cavity entrances prevailed with a mean direction of 187° clockwise from north. The results suggest that cavity-entrance orientation was non-random. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) was chosen as the bird of the year in Hungary by BirdLife Hungary in 2020 to pay more attention to this species. In the present study, we analysed the data collected on the food, changes in the population and the use of the roosting sites of the owls wintering Southeast-Hungary. A total of 4,683 pellets were collected in four winter seasons between 2016 and 2020, of which 5,265 prey animals were identified. We counted the individuals roosting in the winter roosting sites, and from their maximum number we estimated the local population change of the species as well as the success of the breeding. For this, we also used roadkill data from the nearby town, Battonya. The diet of Long-eared Owls in the study area was similar to that observed in other parts of the Carpathian Basin. The smaller differences were mainly due to the different geographical distribution of different prey species. We also identified some species previously having no or very few data, thus we confirmed their stable presence in the area. Different weather factors within the season did not effect owls' diet. The most varied diet was found in the warmest, least snowy winter. Comparing the feeding data with the data from the 1960s and 1970s, it can be seen that the proportion of preys changed significantly. The proportion of House/Steppe Mice decreased by an order of magnitude, while that of rats increased by the same amount over time. The most likely reasons for this may be changes in agricultural cultivation or local demographic conditions (depopulation). In the 2018/19 season, the proportion of Common Vole in the pellets was much higher than in any other years, suggesting this year's gradation of the species. The pellets collected in different roosting sites close to each other typically had the same proportions of prey animals. The maximum number of birds observed at the roosting sites did not correlate with the weather of the given season, but was probably related to the effectiveness of the previous breeding season. The population of the species decreased compared to the early 2000's based on the number of roosting individuals. This may be due to a decline in crow populations. It should be noted, however, that according to both the roadkills in Battonya and the maximum number of the roosting individuals in Kevermes, this drastic decline came to a halt in 2010s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Publications about curiosities are known in the Hungarian and international ornithological literature since the 1800s. Although studies explaining the processes of pigmentation dysfunctions have been known since the mid-nineteenth century, these specimens still appear only as curiosities in the professional press and the terminology used to specify them is generally incorrect. The analysed genetic abnormalities causing white colour varieties in Woodcock (albinism, leucism, Ino) are due to mutations. By briefly describing the biological background of the defects, this work helps detect colour changes. In this article, we provide a broad overview of partially or completely white Woodcocks (n = 23 expl.) found in international (8 countries) and Hungarian literature. We have supplemented the literature background with our own studies. The large-scale analysis of the variability of colours and patterns was made possible by the countrywide wing sample collection within the biometric module of Woodcock Monitoring, which has been running under the coordination of the Hungarian Hunting Conservation Association since 2010. Within this framework, 12,078 samples were analysed between 2010–2018. We found that pigment deficiency occurred in the sample set only with a proportion of 0.01%. Based on the Hungarian literature and our own samples, we presented the known occurrences on maps of the state territory with boundaries before and after 1921, indicating the causes of patterns of occurrence by migration and frequencies of occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are numerous publications in the ornithological literature on mixed-species broods, i.e. on cases when a species lays some or all of its eggs into the nests of other species. This phenomenon, known as brood parasitism, has not yet been studied in Hungary. Here, I use the term brood parasitism, but I could not separate cases of egg dumping, a reproductive error by females. Based on literature and my own observations, I found evidence for interspecific brood parasitism in 28 species breeding in Hungary, not including the cases of the obligate interspecific brood parasite, the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Only one of these belongs to passerines, while in the rest of the cases, this phenomenon occurred in representatives of non-passerine families. However, cases of brood parasitism and nest parasitism have to be treated separately. The latter refers to cases when a species occupies a nest, usually a nesthole or nestbox, already containing eggs of another species, and lays its own eggs next to the foreign eggs. The present study provides data on European Roller (Coracias garrulus), Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), tit species (Parus, Cyanistes, Poecile spp.), Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), but in all likelihood the number of species involved is much higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Black-winged Stilt was the bird of the year in Hungary in 2019. The population of the species increased from 20–25 breeding pairs to 550–680 pairs from 1980s to the present. 75–85% of the Hungarian population bred on effluent pools for pigs and settling pools at sugar beet factories in the first half of 1990s. There were significantly more breeding pairs in Hungary in 1999 compared to previous years, and finally 871 breeding pairs of Black-winged Stilts were documented in 2000 and the Hungarian population was estimated at 940–960 pairs. There were 550–680 breeding pairs in Hungary between 2015 and 2017. Significantly more clutches had more than five eggs in the sampled colonies during the influx in 2000 than in the egg collections before 1971 or in the sampled colony in 2008 as well. First arrivals reached Hungary between 5 and 20 March (median: 15 March) between 2005 and 2019. These arrival dates fall approximately a month earlier than the former arrival dates in mid-April during the 1980s. 470 Black-winged Stilts were observed in a single flock during post-breeding dispersal, this flock was the largest ever documented in Hungary. Stilts left Hungary by the first half of September in the 1980s, and in contrast, they left Hungary between 27 August and 4 January (median: 19 October) between 2005 and 2019. Recently, the most departure dates fall one and a half to three months later compared to the departure dates in the 1980s. Black-winged Stilts marked in Hungary disperse in the Carpathian Basin during their post-fledging/post-breeding dispersal. Based on ring readings of two individuals, they start to migrate southwest with stopover sites in Italy, but their wintering areas are unknown. Stilts hatched in Portugal (one individual) and France (two individuals) bred in Hungary during the large influxes in 1999 and 2000. Five Black-winged Stilts hatched in Italy were observed later in Hungary and are supposed to be breeders in Hungary in most cases. Furthermore, one individual captured as an adult in Spain and two trapped in Italy were observed in Hungary. The Hungarian population of Black-winged Stilt is threatened by predation on eggs and chicks, drainage of wetlands, and also by human-induced flooding of artificial wetlands (e.g. fishponds). Stilts regularly occupy artificial breeding islands the first years after habitat restoration. The Hungarian population of Black-winged Stilts is increasing due to habitat management with grazing animals, especially with Mangalica 'Woolly' Pigs and Water Buffalos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the habitat selection of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) during the breeding season of 2014 in an intensively managed agricultural environment (LAJTA Project, North-West Hungary). In order to assess the habitat preferences of the Common Quail, habitat composition around occupied plots were compared with unoccupied control plots. To characterize the habitat, a total of 11 variables related to vegetation structure and diversity, food availability and landscape were quantified. Multivariate methods (PCA and GLMs) were used to distinguish the main factors influencing habitat selection and to model the presence of the Common Quail. Based on our results, in the LAJTA Project, high probability of Common Quail presence can be predicted in plots with higher herbaceous cover and more abundant arthropod communities. The network of ecotone habitats, particularly the proximity to woody habitats, also appeared to have significant importance during the breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]