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WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? IS POPULATION ECOLOGY A SCIENCE? PAPERS, CRITIQUES, REBUTTALS, AND PHILOSOPHY. By Bertram G. Murray Jr. Infinity Publishing, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. 2011: 289 pages, many figures and [...]

1970 William A. Maher John P. Ryder 1971 Frances C. James Anthony J. Erskine 1972 Ralph W. Schreiber and Robert W. Risebrough Russell P. Balda, Gary C. Bateman, and Gene [...]

GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF CHINA. By John MacKinnon, Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K. 2022: 511 pages. 164 color plates. ISBN: 978-0-19-289367-3. $49.95 (paper back).--Snow-capped mountains, subtropical rainforests, extreme deserts, [...]

Inland vagrancy and overland dispersal by seabirds arc rare phenomena for which the causes and consequences are poorly understood. Studying inland occurrences of seabirds is important because continental land masses form barriers to dispersal of genes and parasites; thus, the permeability of land barriers influences the extent to which seabird populations evolve on separate trajectories and co-evolve with distinct parasite faunas. The boobies (Sulci spp.) arc a clade of saltwater-obligate species occurring in tropical and subtropical oceans. Booby species tend to exhibit population generic structure among oceanic regions. Although they rarely wander inland, the Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) has occurred numerous times as a vagrant in interior North America. Previous inland records from far western North America originated from Pacific populations (subspecies brewsteri), whereas those from eastern and midwestern North America originated from Caribbean populations (subspecies leucogaster). In this paper, we describe 2 new specimens of 5. leucogaster, first state records for New Mexico and Colorado, salvaged from localities nearly equidistant from Pacific and Caribbean source populations. We used mitochondrial DNA sequences to conclusively demonstrate that both specimens originated in the Caribbean. We next examined the helminth parasite fauna of the 2 S. leucogaster specimens and an inland-vagrant Blue-footed Booby (S. nebouxii) from New Mexico. The guts of these boobies contained a suite of helminths, including multiple freshwater-obligatc taxa. Based on our findings, wc suggest that susceptibility to freshwater parasites may cause overland dispersal to fail for boobies, or other seabirds. Thus, freshwater parasites may contribute to explaining the relative rarity of transcontinental dispersal, maintenance of strong inter-ocean population genetic structure, phylogenetic conservatism of specialization on salt-water habitats, and the strictly pelagic distributions of ocean-dwelling species from several avian families. Received 16 September 2022. Accepted 11 August 2023. Key words: freshwater, helminth, parasite, specimen, Sula, vagrancy. La errancia y dispersion en tierra adentro de las aves marinas son fenomenos raros cuyas causas y consecuencias se entienden poco. Estudiar registros en tierra adentro de aves marinas es importante ya que las masas continentales forman barreras a la dispersion de genes y parasitos; por lo tanto, la permeabilidad de las barreras terrestres influye en que tanto las poblaciones de aves evolucionan en trayectorias distintas y co-evolucionan con faunas parasitas distintas. Los alcatraces (Sula spp.) constituyen un ciado de especies obligadas de agua salada que se encuentran en oceanos tropicales y subtropicales. Las especies de alcatraces tienden a exhibir estructura genetica poblacional entre regiones oceanicas. Aunque raramente deambula en tierra firme, el alcatraz pardo (Sula leucogaster) se ha reportado muchas veces como errante en tierra adentro de Noneamerica. Previos reportes de tierra adentro en el lejano oeste Norteamericano se originaron de poblaciones del Pacifico (subespecies brewsteri), mientras que los del este y el medioeste de Norteamerica se originan de poblaciones del Caribe (subespecie leucogaster). En este articulo, describimos 2 especimenes nuevos de S. leucogaster, primeros registros estatales para Nuevo Mexico y Colorado, procedentes de localidades casi equidistantes de poblaciones fuente de Pacifico y el Caribe. Utilizamos secuencias de ADN mitocondrial para mostrar conclusivamente que ambos especimenes se originaron en el Caribe. Luego, examinamos ia fauna de helmintos parasitos de ambos especimenes de S. leucogaster y de un alcatraz de patas azules (S. nebouxii) que vagaba tierra adentro en Nuevo Mexico. Los intestinos de estos alcatraces contenian una serie de helmintos, incluyendo varios taxa obligadas de agua dulce. Con base en nuestros hallazgos, sugerimos que la susceptibilidad a los parasitos de agua dulce puede ocasionar que la dispersion en tierra adentro no sea exitosa para los alcatraces u otras aves marinas. Por lo tanto, los parasitos de agua dulce pueden contribuir a explicar la relativa rareza de la dispersion transcontinental, el mantenimiento de la fuerte estructura genetica inter-oceanica, la conservacion filogenetica de la especializacion en habitats de agua salada y la distribucion estrictamente pelagica de especies oceanicas pertenecientes a varias familias de aves. Palabras clave: agua dulce, errancia, especimen, helmintos, parasito, Sula., At least 254 bird species from 11 families are restricted to saltwater habitats (Howell and Zufelt 2019). The volant seabird species are strong fliers, characterized by high aspect-ratio wings. It [...]

Spatial patterns and dynamics arc important components in understanding the relation between animals and their habitat, and how this relation changes over time. Methods for assessing spatial properties in bird populations are expensive, difficult, and intrusive, such as GPS tracking or capture-recapture, limiting our ability to measure these important characteristics. The Morisita Index and Ripley's K function are both methods used to measure the distribution, clustering, and spatial organization of organisms in a given area. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate how these 2 simple methods can be applied in ornithology studies, based on simple and easily obtained data. To exemplify the application of both methods, I use coordinate data for Southern Lapwings (Vanellus chilensis) in southern Brazil over 2 different periods: the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The analyses show that both methods obtain similar results and indicate aggregation among birds during both the breeding and nonbreeding periods. The Morisita Index was sensitive to changes in quadrat size while variations in Ripley's K. function were more difficult to interpret. Both methods have advantages and limitations that should be taken into consideration; nevertheless, the Morisita Index and Ripley's K function can be important tools in studies of ecological spatial processes and patterns in birds. Received 16 May 2022. Accepted 31 May 2023. Key words: aggregation, distribution, point pattern data, spatial ecology. Padrões e dinâmicas espaciais são importantes componentes no entendimento das relações entre animais e ambiente, e como estas relações mudam com o tempo. Métodos para obter propriedades espaciais de populações de aves são em geral caros, difíceis e intrusivos, como uso de GPS ou captura-recaptura de animais, limitando nossa habilidade de medir essas importantes características. O índice de Morisita e a função K de Ripley são métodos utilizados para mensurar a distribuição, agrupamento e organização espacial de organismos dentro de uma mesma área. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi demonstrar como estes dois métodos simples podem ser utilizados em estudos ornitológicos, utilizando dados simples e fáceis de obter. Para exemplificar a aplicação de ambos os métodos, foram utilizados dados de coordenadas de quero-queros (Vanellus chilensis) no sul do Brasil durante dois períodos: estação reprodutiva e estação não-reprodutiva. As análises mostraram que ambos os métodos obtiveram resultados similares e indicaram o agrupamento entre os indivíduos da espécie durante ambos os períodos. O índice de Morisita foi sensível ao tamanho do quadrante enquanto variações na função K de Ripley foram mais difíceis de serem interpretadas. Ambos os métodos apresentam vantagens e limitações que devem ser levadas em consideração, apesar de tanto o índice de Morisita quanto a função K de Ripley terem se mostrados importantes ferramentas para estudos dos processos e padrões espaciais e ecológicos de populações de aves. Palavras-chave: agregação, coordenadas, distribuição, ecologia espacial, quero-quero., The occupation and use of space are intrinsically linked to the ecological and evolutionary history of a species (Sirami et al. 2009). Wild bird populations have different ways to occupy [...]

Until recently, urban environments were considered unattractive for ecological research due to the loss of original environmental conditions (e.g., lower species richness and presence of exotic species), pedestrian activity, and many other factors associated with the city itself. Despite a recent growing interest in species that inhabit urban areas, relatively few studies report capturing animals in these environments. In this paper, our aim is to foster capture studies in urban areas by sharing lessons learned and methodological adaptations developed during a bird study that involved extensive use of mist nets in areas with different degrees of urbanization throughout a large city. We report how a few adaptations to the mist net sampling method and the adoption of a few simple protocols allowed us to (1) sample in several locations in the city, under different scenarios, and (2) positively interact with the local community, generating public engagement. Received 16 May 2022. Accepted 31 May 2023. Key words: aggregation, distribution, point pattern data, spatial ecology. Até recentemente, os ambientes urbanos eram considerados pouco atraentes para pesquisas ecológicas devido à perda das condições ambientais originais (por exemplo, menor riqueza de espécies e presença de espécies exóticas), atividade de pedestres e muitos outros fatores associados à própria cidade. Apesar do crescente interesse recente por espécies que habitam áreas urbanas, relativamente poucos estudos relatam a captura de animais nesses ambientes. Neste artigo, nosso objetivo é promover estudos de captura em áreas urbanas, compartilhando lições aprendidas e adaptações metodológicas desenvolvidas durante um estudo de aves que envolveu o uso extensivo de redes de neblina em áreas com diferentes graus de urbanização em uma grande cidade. Relatamos como algumas adaptações ao método de amostragem com rede de neblina e a adoção de alguns protocolos simples nos permitiram: (1) amostrar em vários locais da cidade, em diferentes cenários, e (2) interagir positivamente com a comunidade local, gerando engajamento público. Palavras-chave: ambientes urbanos, anilhamento de aves, capturas de aves, urbanização., Urban expansion threatens biodiversity (Theobald et al. 1997, McKinney 2002, Groffman et al. 2017, Johnson and Munshi-South 2017, Knapp et al. 2021, Navarro et al. 2021) and can be considered [...]

Nest predation is a driving force in nest site selection and reproductive success across open-cup and cavity-nesting birds. However, we are just beginning to understand how perceived predation risk might affect nest site selection, particularly in cavity-nesting species. Because passerines have been shown to have a keener sense of smell than has traditionally been attributed to them, we tested whether Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) avoid nest cavities containing the odors of a potential nest predator, the house mouse (Mus musculus). Although Tree Swallows have historically suffered nest predation from deer mice (Peromyscus sp.), we hypothesized that these birds would equate these rodent odors. In the 2021 breeding season, we presented Tree Swallows with a choice of 2 nest boxes, 1 containing clean (unused) mouse cage bedding and the other containing bedding soiled with house mouse urine and feces. We concealed the bedding in both treatments under cardboard disks to eliminate visual cues and force Tree Swallows to rely on their olfactory abilities. We hypothesized that Tree Swallows would prefer to use odor-free boxes. Because Tree Swallows are constrained in their nest site choice, we did not assume that they would entirely avoid boxes with urine. Our analysis of the first box chosen from 46 box pairs in which Tree Swallows occupied both boxes found that nest boxes containing mouse odors were chosen first at the same frequency as boxes containing clean odor-free mouse bedding. However, we did find that the swallows showed a preference for wooden boxes. Received 7 April 2022. Accepted 8 December 2022. Key words: cavity nesting, experiment, nest boxes, nest predation, olfactory, predator avoidance. La depredacion de nidos es una fuerza evolutiva en la seleccion de sitios de anidacion y de exito reproductivo en aves de anidacion en copa abierta y en cavidades. Sin embargo, apenas estamos empezando a comprendcr como los riesgos percibidos de dcpredacion afectan a la selection del sitio de anidacion, particularmente en especics que anidan en eavidades. Como las aves paserinas han mostrado tener un sentido del olfato mas agudo de lo que se les atribuia Iradieionalmente, analizamos si las golondrinas Tachycineta bicolor evitaban las cavidades que contienen olores de uno de sus depredadores potenciales, el raton domestico (Mas musculus), A pesar de que las golondrinas Tachycineta bicolor han sido depredadas historicamenle por ratones Peromyscus sp., planteamos la hipotesis que las golondrinas Tachycineta bicolor reaecionarian de manera similar a los olores de este otro roedor. En la temporada reproduetiva del 2021, le ofrecimos a las golondrinas Tachycineta bicolor la option de elegir entre 2 eajas-nido, la primera eon lecho de jaula de raton limpio (sin usar) y otra euyo lecho de jaula habia sido ensueiado por heces y orina de raton casero. Oeultamos ambos tratamientos de lechos de jaula bajo discos de carton para eliminar pistas visuales y obligar a las aves a usar sus habilidades olfatorias. Nuestra hipotesis nula rue que las golondrinas iban a preferir las cajas que estuvieran libres de olor a raton. Debido a de que las golondrinas tenian una election limitada de sitios de anidacion, no asumimos que evitarian totalmente las cajas con orina. Nuestra analisis de las primeras cajas elegidas de 46 pares de cajas en el que las golondrinas ocuparon ambas cajas mostro que las cajas de anidacion que contenian olores a raton eran elegidas de primero con la misma frecuencia que las cajas que contenian lecho de jaula de raton sin olor. Sin embargo, encontramos que las golondrinas muestran una preferencia por las cajas de madera. Palabras clave: anidamiento en eavidades, cajas-nido, dcpredacion de nidos, evasion de depredadores, experimento, oltatorio., The 21st century has seen numerous papers demonstrating that a variety of nonpasserine birds possess highly sensitive olfactory capabilities (Bonnadonna and Bretagnolle 2002, Bonnadonna and Nevitt 2004, Lambrechts and Hossaert-McKey [...]

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) regularly use paper birch (Betula papyrfera) as a source of sap during the breeding season and may position their sap wells on the tree in order to maximize sap extraction. Sap flow can be affected by tree damage, and altering sap well locations in response to such damage could enhance sapsucker foraging efficiency. We sought to determine if sapsuckers selectively drilled sap wells on damaged (experimentally girdled) paper birch trees over non-damaged healthy trees and, if so, whether the locations of the drill sites varied in response to this damage. Sapsuckers drilled holes on a significantly larger proportion of girdled trees than control trees (healthy trees on adjacent plots), and the holes were lower on girdled trees in comparison with control trees. These differences occurred even though control and girdled trees were of similar size (diameter) and had similar numbers of sap wells per tree. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers appear to alter their foraging behavior in response to tree damage, and thus factors affecting such damage could indirectly influence the foraging ecology of this species. Received 28 April 2015. Accepted 28 January 2016. Key words: foraging behavior, sap wells, woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers., The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) plays a significant keystone role in ecological communities, because other species including insects, birds, and mammals make use of the sapsuckers' nesting sites and foraging [...]

Sex determination of birds is essential for ecological studies, but visually distinguishing the sex of monomorphic birds in the field is challenging. We investigated intersexual morphological differences in the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus saluratus), which is known as a sexually monomorphic species. We caught 198 adult Eurasian Tree Sparrows (104 males and 94 females), collected data on their morphological characteristics, and determined their sex using polymerase chain reaction to amplify sex-chromosome-linked CHD gene introns. Wing length was longer in males than in females, and badge sizes were significantly larger in males. Discriminant function analysis using badge size and wing length classified sex with an accuracy of 86.9%. In accordance with a previous paper, our study considers that the sex of Eurasian Tree Sparrows can be distinguished with reasonable accuracy by the badge size and wing length in wild populations. Received 6 January 2022. Accepted 16 July 2022. Key words: badge size, CHD gene intron, discriminant function analysis, monomorphism, sex determination, wing length. La determination del sexo do las aves cs esencial en estudios ecologicos. pero la determinacion visual del sexo en aves monomoriicas en campo es un reto. lnvcstigamos diferencias morfologicas intersexuales en el gorrion molinero eurasiatico (Passer montanus saluratus), que es conocido como una especie sexualmente monomorfica. Capturamos 198 gorriones molineros curasiaticos adultos (104 machos y 94 hembras), tomamos datos dc sus caracteristicas morfologicas y detenninamos su sexo usando rcaccion en cadena de polimerasa para ampliticar los introncs del gen CHD ligados al cromosoma sexual. La longitud del ala era mayor en machos que en hembras y los tamanos de las manchas eran significativamente mayorcs en machos que en hembras. Un analisis de funcidn discriminante usando tamano dc las manchas y longitud de! ala ctasifico el sexo con una precision de 86.9%. Tal y como se dijo en un articulo anterior, nuestro cstudio considers que el sexo de los gorriones molineros curasiaticos puede ser distinguido con una precision razonablc utilizando el tamano de la mancha y la longitud del ala en poblaciones silvestres. Palabras clave: analisis de funcidn discriminante. determinacion de sexo. intron del gen CHD. longitud dc ala, monomorfismo. tamano de mancha., Sex identification is essential for studying the biology of avian breeding, but it is difficult to visually distinguish the sex of monomorphic species. Sexual monomorphism appears in 30% of all [...]

We began our ornithological careers out of passion, for watching birds, for identifying them, for sharing our excitement and knowledge with our friends. At some point our desire to know and understand birds led us into science. We joined Christmas Bird Counts and wondered why the species and numbers varied annually. We wondered what characterized good sparrow habitat. We found that special patch and saw more sparrows than any other participant. Then, we discovered that people wrote about and published their observations of birds. We read some of those papers, at first the short ones, those that focused on natural history, on what we could observe. Then we tried to imitate the authors, by watching birds, asking questions and collecting data. We were unaware that the child hobbyist had become the adolescent scientist. I joined the Wilson Ornithological Society and began to prepare my observations for publication. One day I screwed up my courage and submitted a short paper on Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). It was rejected. But by then I was an undergraduate. I had just received a small research grant. The die was cast. Graduate school followed. I wrote more short papers. Some were published. I synthesized some of these into longer papers with substantive conclusions that were cited by real ornithologists. Imperceptibly, I became a scientist. I began to formulate hypotheses, deduce predictions, collect data, and create new explanations about the evolution of avian color, an aspect of birds that had fascinated me almost since I became aware of birds and painted a papier-mache duck brilliant white with scarlet feet and bill, and large, blue eyes. This observation-based entry into a scientific career is very different from a course-based entry in which the future scientist learns a paradigm, is excited and decides to devote her or his career to that scientific discipline. The importance of one's introduction to science is explored with respect to different disciplines and the way different scientists think about science. Finally, the importance of the observation-based entry into science is explored with respect to the Wilson Ornithological Society, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, ornithology, and the field sciences generally. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Peter Stettenhiem, mentor, colleague and thoughtful human being., Where do scientists come from? All scientists. Ornithologists. Microbiologists. Chemists. Astronomers. All scientists. I will try to convince you that scientists in different scientific disciplines follow different developmental tracks; that [...]

For ground- and burrow-nesting birds, heavy rain events can lead to reproductive failure when nests flood. This paper describes the exposure of Florida Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia floridana) to breeding season flooding, its relationship to annual reproductive success rates, and effect on nest failure across 5 cattle ranches in southwestern Florida, USA. In May 2016, a heavy rain event following an unusually wet dry season led to extensive burrow flooding and widespread reproductive failure in 1 of the breeding sites under study. In 2017 and 2018, burrows flooded frequently but the occurrence of flooding later in the breeding season was not associated with a lower overall annual reproductive success rate. Brood age at the time of flooding had a significant relationship with the probability that a particular nest failed, with the chance of event survival increasing from 12% in week 3 to 58% in week 4. All but 1 brood that experienced flooding in week 5 or later survived at least partially. Our findings indicate that flooding is a common occurrence that Florida Burrowing Owls breeding on cattle ranches can tolerate, but extreme precipitation, especially early in the breeding season or when broods are young, can cause widespread nest failure. Annual productivity could be affected if these events increase in frequency with climate change, but the inclusion or maintenance of elevated ground within the ranch landscape could provide refugia. Received 13 August 2019. Accepted 26 February 2022. Key words: extreme precipitation, grassland, ground nesting, nest mortality, rangeland. Para aves que anidan en el suclo a en cuevas en el suelo, los eventos de fuertes Iluvias pueden conducir a fallos rcproductivos cuando los nidos se inundan. Este artieulo deseribe la exposicion de los bulios Athene eunicularia floridana a inundaciones durante la epoca reproductiva, su relacion con tasas anuales de exito reproductive- y efectos en e] tallo de nidos en 5 ranches ganaderos en el suroeste de Florida, EUA. En mayo de 2016, un evento de fuertes Iluvias despues de una cstacion de secas inusualmente hiimeda tuvo como consecuencia extensas inundaciones de cuevas en el suelo y amplios fallos rcproductivos en 1 de los sitios rcproductivos dc estc estudio. En 2017 y 2018. las cuevas en el suclo se inundaron frccucntemente, aunque la incidencia de inundaciones en la estacion reproductiva avanzada no estuvo asociada en lo general con una menor tasa reproductiva anual. La edad dc la nidada al momento tie la inundacion tuvo una relacion signilicativa con la probabilidad de que un nido en particular fallara, con incrementos en la probabilidad dc sobrevivencia a estos eventos de 12% en la semana 3 a 58% en la semana 4. Con excepcion dc una nidada. todas las que experimentaron inundaciones en la semana 5 o posterior sobrcvivieron al menos parcialmente. Nucstros hallazgos indican que las inundaciones ocurren frecuentcmente y que los buhos que anidan en estos ranchos ganaderos los pueden tolerar. aunque las preeipitacioncs extremas, especialmente en la parte temprana de la temporada reproductiva o cuando las nidadas son jovenes. pueden causar fallos de nidos ainpliamcnte distribuidos. La productividad anual podria ser afectada si estos eventos se incrementan en frecuencia con cl cambio climatico, si bien la inclusion o mamenimiento dc terrenos elevados en el paisaje del rancho podrian proporcionar rcfugios. Palabras clave: anidacion en el suelo. Ilanuras, moitandad de nidos, pradcras, precipitacion cxtrema., Anthropogenic change is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as floods and drought (Easterling 2000). As the atmosphere warms with global heating, its capacity [...]

Climate change has advanced the onset of spring and, subsequently, avian nesting activity. Although this advance can have negative consequences such as phenological mismatch, species may be able to increase the annual number of young fledged. Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) can rear 3 broods to fledging, but in this paper we report 3 pairs that reared 4 broods to apparent fledging in 2016 and 2020 in northeastern Arkansas. Nesting attempts began as early as 18 March with the first laid egg and concluded as late as 18 September with the last fledging event; brood sizes ranged from 2 to 5 chicks. Nests were checked daily 15-18 d post-hatching, increasing confidence in our determination of successful fledging. Unlike a previous report of 4 broods reared by a male that mated with 2 females at once, the pairs at our site all remained together through all 4 attempts. These pairs all consisted of after-second-year birds and we discuss why we believe these nests were successful, as well as factors that allowed these pairs to attempt to rear an additional brood. Received 3 May 2021. Accepted 22 July 2021. Key words: climate change, multi-brooded, nest box, passerine, phenology. Des merlebleus de l'Est (Sialia sialis) élèvent quatre nichées jusqu'à envol apparent dans le nord-est de l'Arkansas Les changements climatiques a avancé le début du printemps et par conséquent celui de la saison de nidification des oiseaux. Bien que cette avancée des dates puisse avoir des conséquences négatives telles qu'une désynchronisation phénologique, les espèces aviaires pourraient être capable d'augmenter le nombre annuel de jeunes à l'envol. Les Merlebleus de l'Est (Sialia sialis) peuvent élever trois couvées jusqu'à l'envol, mais dans cet article, nous présentons trois paires de qui ont apparemment élevé quatre couvées jusqu'à l'envol en 2016 et 2020 dans le nord-est de l'Arkansas. Les tentatives de nidification ont commencé dès le 18 mars avec la ponte du premier oeuf et se sont terminées le 18 septembre au plus tard avec le dernier envol; la taille des nichées variait de deux à cinq poussins. Les nids ont été suivis quotidiennement à partir de 15-18 jours après éclosion, augmentant ainsi le niveau de confiance dans notre détermination de la réussite des envols. Contrairement à un rapport précédent de quatre nichées élevées avec succès par un mâle qui s'est accouplé avec deux femelles à la fois, les couples de notre site sont tous restés ensemble au cours des quatre tentatives. Tous ces couples étaient composés d'individus qui s'étaient déjà reproduit pendant au moins une saison de nidification et nous discutons de ce pour quoi nous pensons que ces nichées ont réussi ainsi que des facteurs qui ont permis à ces couples de tenter d'élever une nichée supplémentaire. Mots-clés: changements climatiques, espèce à plusieurs nichées par an, nichoir, passereau, phénologie., For many passerine species, the number of breeding pairs and nesting attempts are limited by lack of suitable nesting sites and habitat (Cockle et al. 2010, Miller 2010), competition for [...]

The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) commonly breeds along coastal beaches and major interior rivers of North America and the Caribbean. Least Terns have been observed in Hawai'i since the 1970s; however, few breeding attempts have been documented. Nests have been discovered on the northwestern Flawaiian island of Midway Atoll and the southeastern Hawaiian island of Hawai'i. While nesting is thought to also occur on the islands of O'ahu and French Frigate Shoals based on observations of juvenile Least Terns, no observations of nests had been recorded for these islands prior to this study. In this paper we describe 2 accounts of discovering Least Tern eggs in the Ki'i Unit of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on O'ahu, as well as several observations of breeding behavior in wetlands within the Pearl Harbor region of O'ahu. Received 14 January 2020. Accepted 18 May 2021. Key words: behavior, breeding, ground. Hawai'i, nesting, shorebird. El charran Sternula antillarum anida comunmente a lo largo de pluyas costeras y grandes rios interiores en Norteamerica y el Caribe. Este charran ha sido observado en Hawai desde la decada de 1970; sin embargo, se ban documentado pocos intentos reproductivos. Se han descubierto nidos en la isla hawaiana atolon Midway y cn la isla hawaiana suroriental de Hawai. Si bien se piensa que tambien se encuentran en las islas O 'ahu y French Frigate Shoals con base en observaciones de charranes juveniles, no se ban registrado nidos en esias islas previas a este estudio. En este articulo describimos 2 reportes del descubrimiento de huevos de este charran en la unidad Ki'i del James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge en O'ahu, asi como varias observaciones de comportamiento reproductive en humcdales cn la region Pearl Harbor de O'ahu. Palabras clave: anidacion, eve playera, comportamicnto. Hawai. reproduction, suelo., The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) commonly breeds along coastal beaches and major interior rivers of North America and the Caribbean (Thompson et al. 2020). Nests are typically built on open [...]

Only 2 of Alexander Wilson's (1766-1813) study skins are known to exist in modern collections with data confirming their provenance. Both are type specimens, preserved at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (ANSP), and are among the most precious artifacts of American science. In 2018,1 discovered a third Wilson type in the ANSP collection with a note from John Cassin (1813-1869) confirming its provenance. This paper describes the discovery and rediscovery of the type specimen of Wilson's 'variety of the Black Hawk' (Falco niger), overlooked by ornithologists and historians for more than 150 yr. Nomenclature is unaffected because F. niger Wilson is a synonym of Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan 1763), the Rough-legged Hawk. Received 23 September 2019. Accepted 4 February 2020. Key words: American Ornithology, Black Hawk, Buteo lagopus. Falco niger, history of science, Peale Museum, Rough-legged Hawk Solo se sabe de la existencia de 2 de las pieles de estudio de Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) en colecciones modernas con datos que confirmen su proveniencia. Ambos son especímenes tipo, preservados en la Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (ANSP), y se encuentran entre los artefactos más valiosos de la ciencia estadounidense. En 2018, descubrí un tercer espécimen tipo de Wilson en la colección de la ANSP con una nota de John Cassin (1813-1869) confirmando su proveniencia. Este artículo describe el descubrimiento y redescubrimiento del espécimen tipo de una 'variedad del aguililla negra' (Falco niger) de Wilson, ignorada por ornitólogos e historiadores por más de 150 años. La nomenclatura no se afecta, porque F niger Wilson es sinónimo de Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan 1763). Palabras clave: American Ornithology, Buteo lagopus. Falco niger, historia de la ciencia, Peale Museum, In the winter of 1811-1812, as the Madison administration prepared the United States for war against the British, the Scottish-born ornithologist Alexander Wilson (1766-1813; Fig. 1) was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, [...]

Interspecific nest usurpation, a relatively common nesting strategy, is the act of one bird species taking over the nesting site of another species. Although used by secondary cavity-nesters, nest usurpation has never been reported for the Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). In this paper, we document a mixed brood successfully reared by Tufted Titmice after usurpation of an Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) nest in northeastern Arkansas during the 2019 breeding season. We monitored the focal nest box every 3-4 d from the first sign of nest building on 23 March 2019 until chick fledging by 12 May 2019. The Tufted Titmice took over the nest at the time the Eastern Bluebird had laid its fourth egg in the nest. By the end of the nesting period, the Tufted Titmice fledged 2 of their own chicks and 3 Eastern Bluebird chicks. Such successful rearing of non-conspecific nestlings is rare and we discuss factors that may have allowed it. Received 24 August 2019. Accepted 25 January 2020. Key words: cavity-nesters, competition, habitat, nest success, nest usurpation L'usurpation interspécifique de nid, une stratégie de nidification relativement commune, est Pacte d'un oiseau d'une espèce qui prend possession du site de nidification d'un oiseau d'une autre espèce. Bien qu'utilisée par les nicheurs cavicoles secondaires, l'usurpation de nid n'a jamais été reportée pour Baeolophus bicolor. Dans cette note, nous documentons une nichée mixte élevée jusqu'à son envol par B. bicolor après usurpation d'un nid de Sicilia sialis dans le nord-est de I'Arkansas, pendant la saison de reproduction de 2019. Nous avons noté le statut d'un nichoir tous les 3-4 j depuis le premier signe de construction du nid le 23 Mars 2019 jusqu'à ce que les oisillons l'aient quitté le 12 Mai 2019. Baeolophus bicolor a pris possession du nid de S. sialis après que celui-ci a pondu son quatrième oeuf. Au bout de cette nidification, B. bicolor a pu élever 2 de ses propres poussins et 3 poussins de S. sialis. Réussir à élever des poussins non-conspécifiques est rare et nous discutons les facteurs qui auraient pu favoriser cet événement. Mots-clés: compétition, habitat, nicheurs cavicoles, succès de reproduction, usurpation de nid, Interspecific nest usurpation is the act of one bird species taking over the nest of another species to produce its own offspring (Lindell 1996). Usurping a nest may involve destroying [...]

We tested whether Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) avoid nest cavities containing the odors of potential nest predators: the northern raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the house mouse (Mus musculus). In our first experiment, we applied either raccoon urine or white vinegar to partially completed bluebird nests and recorded whether the bluebirds continued nesting or switched to an empty nest box 10 m away. We restricted our analyses to cases in which the nest start was no more than 50% complete at the time we applied the odor. We found no difference in the propensity of bluebirds to switch nest sites in response to urine versus vinegar. Indeed, the vast majority of bluebirds continued nesting in the box into which we added an odor, suggesting that either bluebirds do not associate the odor of raccoon urine with a significantly increased probability of nest predation or that they perceive a nest box 10 m away as being no less threatened. In our second experiment, we presented bluebirds with a choice of 2 identical nest boxes, one containing clean (unused) mouse cage bedding and the other containing bedding soiled with mouse urine and feces. We concealed the bedding in both treatments under cardboard discs to eliminate visual cues and to force bluebirds to rely on their olfactory abilities. Although we used different volumes of cage bedding in the 2 summers, we found no difference between years in the propensity to avoid soiled bedding: bluebirds showed no sign of avoiding soiled bedding at all. Received 31 October 2018. Accepted 25 January 2019. Key words: Eastern Bluebird, olfactory, Sialia sialis Sometimos a prueba si los azulejos Sialia sialis evitan cavidades nido que contienen olor de potenciales depredadores de nido: el mapache Procyon lotor y el raton Mus musculus. En nuestro primer experimento. aplicamos orina de mapache o vinagre bianco a nidos de azulejo parcialmente concluidos y registramos si los azulejos continuaron anidando o se cambiaron a una caja-nido vacia a 10 m de distancia. Restringimos nuestros analisis a casos en los cuales el inicio del nido no llevaba mas del 50% de avance a la fecha en que aplicamos el olor. No encontramos diferencia en cuan proclives son los azulejos a cambiarse de nido en respuesta a la orina vs. el vinagre. La vasta mayoria de los azulejos continuaron anidando en la caja a la cual agregamos el olor, lo que sugiere que los azulejos no asocian el olor de la orina de mapache con un incremento significativo de la probabilidad de depredacion de nido o que no perciben la caja-nido a 10 m como un sitio mas seguro. En nuestro segundo experimento, expusimos a los azulejos a elegir entre dos cajas-nido identicas, una conteniendo una base limpia (sin usar) de jaula para ratones y la otra conteniendo una base sucia con orina y heces de raton. Escondimos la base de jaula bajo discos de carton para eliminar senas visuales y forzar a los azulejos a confiar en su capacidad olfativa. Aunque utilizamos diferente volumen de base de jaula en los dos veranos, no encontramos diferencia entre anos en la propension a evitar la base de jaula sucia: los azulejos no mostraron ninguna sena de evitar la base sucia. Palabras clave: olfato, Sialia sialis, The 21st century has seen numerous papers demonstrating that a variety of non-passerine birds possess unappreciated olfactory capabilities (Bonnadonna and Bretagnolle 2002, Bonnadonna and Nevitt 2004, Lambrechts and Hossaert-McKey 2006, [...]

Coastal Louisiana--and its Mississippi River Delta, in particular--provides large and diverse habitats for many types of birds in North America and beyond. The Mississippi River and its distributaries have shaped Louisiana's unique coast, which includes extensive marsh and marsh islands, sandy barrier headlands and sandy islands, and isolated patches of maritime forest on natural levees, cheniers, and canal spoil banks. Louisiana thus supports large populations of many obligate marsh bird species as well as marine bird species that require islands for breeding sites. Here, we have collated available data and attempt to estimate the breeding population sizes of 17 bird species in coastal Louisiana. We then summarize the importance of the Louisiana coast for these bird species in the contexts of regional, national, and global bird populations. These preliminary estimates indicate that Louisiana's coast supports a high percentage of regional, national, and, in some cases, global populations of several coastal bird species. For example, we estimate that 73% of the United States population of Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) breeds in Louisiana, and comparable estimates range from 24 to 55 % for Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula). Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia), Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus). Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), and Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus). Because most of these other bird species are distributed across state, regional, and national jurisdictions, management of birds and bird habitats in Louisiana has wide-reaching implications for the conservation of these shared natural resources. In this light, this paper is intended to be a resource for managers of avian resources in North America and beyond. Received 21 May 2018. Accepted 6 November 2018. Key words: barrier islands, coastal bird conservation, Louisiana coastal birds, Mississippi River delta, population estimates La costa de Louisiana--y cn particular cl delta del rio Mississippi--provee grandes y diversos habitats para muchos diferentes tipos de aves cn Norteamerica y mas alla. El rio Mississippi y sus distributarios han formado una costa unica, que incluye extensas cienagas, islas en cienagas, barras arenosas de tierra firme, islas arenosas, parches aislados de bosques maritimos en diqucs naturales. dunas ondulantes y bancos dc material de dragado de canales. Con ello, Louisiana alberga grandes poblaciones de muchas especies obligadas de humedales, asi como especies de aves marinas que rcquieren islas como sitios de reproduccion. Aqui recopilamos los datos disponibles e intentamos estimar el tamano de las poblaciones reproductivas de 17 especies de aves de la costa de Louisiana. A continuacion, sintctizamos la importancia de la costa de Louisiana para estas especies de aves en el contexto de sus poblaciones regional, nacional y global. Estas estimaciones poblacionales indican que la costa de Louisiana alberga un alto porcentaje de las poblacioncs regionales, nacionales, y en algunos casos, globales de varias especies de aves costeras. Por ejemplo, estimamos que el 73% de la poblacion de los Estados Unidos del charran Thalasseus sandvicensis se reproduce en Louisiana, y estimaciones comparables varian de 24 a 55% del pato Anas fulvigula. el rascon Rallus crepitans, la garza Egretta tricolor, el chorlo Charadrius wilsonia, el charran Thalasseus maximus, el rayador Rynchops niger y el gorrion Ammodramus maritimus. Debido a que la mayoria de estas especies estan distribuidas a lo largo de jurisdicciones estatales, regionales y nacionales, su manejo y el de sus habitats tiene implicaciones dc gran alcance para la conservacion de estos recursos naturales compartidos. A la luz de esta informacion, este articulo tiene la intencion de ser un recurso para quiencs manejan aves en Norteamerica y mas alla. Palabras clave: aves costeras de Louisiana, conservacion de aves costeras, estimacion de poblaciones, delta del rio Mississippi, islas de barrera, The Mississippi River, the largest river in North America and one of the largest in the world, makes a dramatic imprint on the coastline of the United States. The unique [...]

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF EDWARD LEAR. Robert McCracken Peck. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 2021: 240 pages and 199 illustrations. ISBN: 978-0-691-2172-9. $29.95 (paper).--In The Natural History of Edward [...]

In 1971, a young ornithologist presented his first paper at a Wilson Ornithological Society meeting on Dauphin Island, Alabama. This first paper compared the breeding biology of Red-bellied (Melanerpes carolinus) [...]

This paper describes the first case of successful polyterritorial polygyny in the European Blackbird Turdus merula. It was detected in an intensively studied color-banded population of European Blackbirds in Szczecin (northwestern Poland). Received 13 November 2016. Accepted 18 June 2017. Key words: European Blackbird, mating strategies, mating system, Turdus merula. Este articulo describe el primer caso de poliginia politerritorial exitosa en el Mirlo Común Turdus merula. Esta fue detectada en una población muy estudiada de Mirlo Común de Szczecin (noroeste de Polonia) en que los ejemplares son marcados con anillas de colores. Palabras clave: estrategias de apareamiento, Mirlo Común, sistemas de apareamiento, Turdus merula., The European Blackbird (Turdus merula) is one of the best-known birds of Europe, and its mating system has been extensively described (Snow 1958, Glutz von Blotzheim et al. 1982, Stefan [...]

Since the first bird observatory was established over a century ago, hundreds have been established around the world. Classic observatories share a focus on capture and study of birds in the hand, particularly migrants. Many professionals were first inspired by working at a bird observatory, and researchers have long been using observatory data and facilities in collaborative studies. Results from observatories have made major contributions to knowledge of migration: timing, routes and destinations, body condition and local movement during stopover; as well as tracking long-term population change. Nonetheless, observatories are an underutilized resource for researchers, and this paper highlights the benefits they offer and opportunities for further cooperation. Received 26 November 2015. Accepted 13 May 2016. Key words: bird observatories, cooperative studies, migration timing, routes, energetics, strategies., THE BIRD OBSERVATORY RESOURCE The term 'bird observatory' came from the English translation of 'Vogelwarte,' part of the original title of a book describing 50 years of bird study on [...]

During winter 2015 in Montreal (Canada), we observed on two occasions a group of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) hiding under the body of several cars, in the empty spaces between the wheels and the fender. On both occasions, it was either snowing or raining. This paper reports for the first time, to our knowledge, a description of birds using cars to shelter from rain or snow. Moreover, some individuals were engaged in continuous round trips between the car and bushes, seemingly to detect potential predators that would not be visible to the individuals under the car. Further study should examine the diversity of foraging and non-foraging innovations in different groups of birds, in order to better understand the evolution of behavioral flexibility and cognition in non-human animals. Key words: behavior, car, House Sparrows, innovation. Passer domesticus, shelter., House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) are small birds from the Passeridae family, and are common in most parts of the world (Summers-Smith 2010). Native to Europe, they have been introduced (deliberately [...]

I conducted the second austral autumn raptor count at Concepcion Watch Site in the eastern Bolivian lowlands to document species composition, timing, and abundance of migrating raptors between 10 March and 6 April 2009. I counted migrants for 26 days (134.5 hrs) recording 6,979 migrating raptors of 16 species. Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) comprised 80% (n = 5,571), Black Vultures 11% (Coragyps atratus, n = 747), and Snail Kites 5% (Rostrhamus sociabilis, n = 396). The remaining 4% (n = 265) included 13 species and other unidentified raptors. I also recorded non-raptor species on migration from the lookout, including 36 Maguari Storks (Ciconia maguari), a flock of 11 Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), and thousands of Barn Swallows (Hirunda rustica). My observations confirm previous records suggesting a significant raptor migration occurs at the Concepcion Watch Site in the austral autumn. Raptor monitoring should continue at Concepcion annually and the site used to promote raptor conservation and awareness in Bolivia. Received 12 December 2011. Accepted 16 April 2012., Raptor migration in South America is largely undescribed with few published papers using standardized migration monitoring protocols. This topic is understudied, but of international concern (Juhant 2011). Thirty-five raptor migration [...]

Howell et al. (2003) proposed modifications to the system of molt terminology for birds developed by Humphrey and Parkes (1959) to address a perceived inconsistency in the Humphrey- Parkes ('H-P') system that Howell et al. (2003) termed the 'first basic problem'. These modifications have been adopted by mainstream ornithological literature, but are premature and unnecessary. The recharacterization of the prejuvenal and first prebasic molts, and resulting plumages, by Howell et al. (2003) is: (1) not supported by scientific studies, (2) inconsistent with several factors that support classification of these molts and plumages under the H-P system, and (3) contrary to the fundamental purpose of that system. Moreover, the H-P system can be interpreted in a manner that resolves the 'first basic problem' without recharacterizing the prejuvenal and first prebasic molts and resulting plumages. The H-P system also can be interpreted to start the first molt cycle with commencement of the initial acquisition of contour feathers and provide a fixed point to start a nomenclature of molts and plumages. The four molt strategies identified by Howell et al. (2003) may be explained by variability in conventional first prebasic and first prealternate molts and are not dependent on adoption of their proposed modifications of the H-P system. Ornithologists are encouraged to re-examine the modifications to the H-P system proposed by Howell et al. (2003) and to resolve existing conflicts in North American molt terminology by adopting the proposed interpretations of the H-P system identified in this paper. Received 1 September 2011. Accepted 15 January_ 2012., Conventional North American molt terminology for birds was developed by Humphrey and Parkes (1959) to facilitate identification of homologies among molts and plumages across species through use of the neutral [...]

Avian mapping, also known as spot mapping or territory mapping, is a breeding season bird-survey technique that traditionally uses paper maps on which locations of birds are recorded. This method is often considered the most accurate in yielding a density, but has been criticized as being inefficient, time consuming, and inexact. We describe a novel digital-mapping method, incorporating a hand-held computer and high-accuracy global positioning system receiver (GPS), used in an ongoing boreal birds study. Digital mapping surpassed our expectations as to efficiency, flexibility, and work flow. We expect this method will become increasingly useful in many types of field studies, especially as costs decrease (currently ~$2,100 for the field receiver used). Received 4 January 2010. Accepted 23 June 2010., Avian mapping, also known as spot mapping or territory mapping, is a widely used bird-survey technique in which an observer attempts to record the exact locations of individual birds within [...]

Flooded forests represent an important part of Amazonian diversity, yet the distribution, ecology, and evolutionary history of the avifauna of these forests have received little attention. We conducted ornithological surveys in the Rio Branco Basin, which is entirely in the Brazilian State of Roraima. In this paper, we discuss the presence of 20 bird species recorded along the lower Rio Branco, 16 of which represent new records for the State of Roraima and the entire Rio Branco Basin. Among our most interesting records are four species of white-water river specialists (Synallaxis propinqua, Stigmatura napensis, Serpophaga hypoleuca, and Conirostrum bicolor) that have populations on the lower Rio Branco, isolated from other Amazonian whitewater river systems by the black waters of the Rio Negro where they do not occur. We also discovered new localities for the endemic and endangered Rio Branco Antbird (Cercomacra carbonaria), doubling the size of its known range. We discuss the implications of these records in a biogeographic perspective for better understanding the distributional patterns of the flooded-forest avifauna in Amazonia., The Amazon Basin contains the most spectacular river system on earth. Not only is the Amazon River the longest and largest river in the world, but some of its tributaries [...]

This paper describes an extra-pair copulation (EPC) event between two color-banded Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis). This is the first documented occurrence of an EPC during the fertile period of Sandhill Cranes. This event adds to the small list of documented EPCs in long-lived bird species with long-term pair bonds. Participating in an EPC may have allowed the female to potentially gain access to a mate with a breeding territory, something she did not have during the previous two breeding seasons. Benefits to the male may have included increasing his reproductive success without having to raise the offspring or evaluating the female as a potential new mate., Extra-pair copulations (EPC: copulations outside an established pair bond) are an alternative mating strategy used by many monogamous bird species. There are striking differences between males and females in benefits [...]

THE ATLAS OF BIRDS. DIVERSITY, BEHAVIOR AND CONSERVATION. By Mike Unwin. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. 2011: 144 pages; many unnumbered photographs and maps. ISBN: 9780-691-14949-3. $22.95 (paper).--This [...]

TAWNY FROGMOUTH. By Gisela Kaplan. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. 2007: 155 pages, 68 figures, illustrations, and photographs. ISBN: 978-064309-239-6. A$35.95 (paper). BOWER-BIRDS. By Peter Rowland. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, [...]

SWAN. By Peter Young. Reaktion Books, Ltd., London, UK. 2008:200 pages, 45 black and white plates, and 55 color plates, ISBN 978-1-86189349-9. $19.95 (paper).--This book is part of a series [...]

A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO MICHIGAN. By Allen T. Chartier and Jerry Ziarno. American Birding Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 2004:660 pp., 284 maps, 6 photographs. ISBN: 1-878788-13-2. $28.95 (paper).--In his Foreword [...]