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Cooperative breeding is a sophisticated altruistic social behavior that helps social animals to adapt to harsh environments. The Tibetan ground tit, Pseudopodoces humilis , is a high-altitude bird endemic to the Tibetan plateau. Recently, it has become an exciting system for studying the evolution of facultative cooperative breeding. To test for molecular adaptations associated with cooperative breeding, we resequenced the whole genome of ground tits from 6 wild populations that display remarkable variation in the frequency of cooperative breeding. Population structure analyses showed that the 6 populations were divided into 4 lineages, which is congruent with the major geographical distribution of the sampling sites. Using genome-wide selective sweep analysis, we identified putative positively selected genes (PSGs) in groups of tits that displayed high and low cooperative breeding rates. The total number of PSGs varied from 146 to 722 in high cooperative breeding rate populations, and from 272 to 752 in low cooperative breeding rate populations. Functional enrichment analysis of these PSGs identified several significantly enriched ontologies related to oxytocin signaling, estrogen signaling, and insulin secretion. PSGs involved in these functional ontologies suggest that molecular adaptations in hormonal regulation may have played important roles in shaping the evolution of cooperative breeding in the ground tit. Taken together, our study provides candidate genes and functional ontologies involved in molecular adaptations associated with cooperative breeding in Tibetan ground tits, and calls for a better understanding of the genetic roles in the evolution of cooperative breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment evaluated the effect of light manipulation on the behavior and welfare of broilers using 280-day-old Arbor-Acre chicks, which were weighed and assigned to 7 treatments having 4 replicates and 10 birds per replicate. The light treatments were as follows: white light (WH), blue light (BL), green (GR), blue light switched to green light at 14 days (2BG), green light switched to blue at 14 days (2GB), blue light switched to green light at 28 days (4BG), and green light switched to blue light at 28 days (4GB). Feeding, drinking, resting, standing, walking, foraging and preening behaviors were observed using the scan sampling method. Behavior and welfare parameters such as footpad dermatitis and hock burn were evaluated and analyzed in a Completely Randomized Design. The results showed that feeding behavior of birds of BL, 2BG, and 2GB treatment groups was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of WH and GR at the starter phase. At the finisher phase, resting behavior of birds of 4GB was similar to those of 2GB but higher than those of the other treatments. It was concluded that switching of light from green to blue (4GB) at four weeks of age fostered ideal behavior and stimulated growth in broilers but had no effect on welfare parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands are globally distributed and naturally occurring; however, in Europe, most grasslands are anthropogenically created or altered by livestock grazing or mowing. Low‐intensity use and management have led to species‐rich communities in European grasslands. The intensification of crop production and livestock farming with stabling throughout the year has led to an abandonment of grasslands that are no longer economically profitable. In this study, we looked at the influence of grassland abandonment on biodiversity. We hypothesized that abandonment of grasslands decreases the overall biodiversity, but has different effects depending on the focal taxonomic group (i.e., vascular plants, insects, or birds). We also hypothesized that the type of management before abandonment, the type of grassland, and the time after abandonment would influence grassland biodiversity. We conducted a Web of Science search, with pre‐defined terms, to find articles that compared biodiversity of managed and abandoned grasslands in Europe. We screened the articles and included 39 studies in a subsequent meta‐analysis. We found that overall biodiversity was reduced after abandonment; however, the biodiversity reduction in the grasslands differed among taxonomic groups. Plant species diversity was significantly lower after abandonment (plant summary effect size: −0.25 [−0.34; −0.16]), whereas the diversity of insects and birds showed no significant trend, but a visual trend toward an increase. None of the other environmental variables (type of management, type of grassland, or the time after abandonment) had a significant influence on the biodiversity of the grasslands. We conclude that maintaining grassland management is crucial to support biodiversity conservation in European grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The present study describes the current welfare situation on commercial organic laying hen farms in Sweden in terms of indoor environment, bird health and behaviour. 2. Organic laying hen farms (n = 11) in Sweden were visited for one day each. The farm visits were performed at the end of lay and involved farmer interviews, indoor environment assessments, behavioural observations and tests and clinical examinations in one flock per farm. 3. In 95% of all human avoidance distance test trials performed, the hens distanced themselves from the observer before the test was completed. Median number of birds per flock approaching during a novel object test (n = 4 trials per flock) was 2 (0-9). These results may indicate a high level of fear of humans and general fearfulness among the hens. 4. Plumage damage was especially prevalent and most severe on the breast and belly, tail and wings, with median prevalence of moderate-severe damage of 96% (84–100), 96% (72–100) and 98% (94–100), respectively. Median prevalence of keel bone deviations was 67% (32–84) with 3% fractures (0–8). Median prevalence of breast skin lesions was 57% (10–74). There was a significant positive association between breast skin lesions and keel bone deviations (P = 0.02) and foot pad hyperkeratosis (P < 0.001). Median prevalence of severe hyperkeratosis was 33% (8–96), with prevalence being significantly lower where litter depth was thicker (P = 0.003). More dust bathing events were observed in flocks where litter depth was thicker (P = 0.007). 5. The present study contributes with updated knowledge of laying hen welfare on organic farms in Sweden. The results confirm the findings of previous on-farm studies, demonstrating that important issues, including keel bone damage and severe feather pecking, remain in need of attention to ensure the welfare of laying hens in future commercial egg production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the design and management of free-range areas and their use by birds on commercial organic laying hen farms in Sweden and to document farmers' perspectives on outdoor access for poultry. 2. Eleven Swedish organic laying hen farms were visited. The farmers were interviewed about general farm management, bird health and behaviour and outdoor access. The free-range areas were assessed in terms of proportion covered by protective (high) vegetation and any artificial shelters provided. The numbers of hens ranging at different distances from the house were recorded twice during the day. 3. The outdoor area within 250m from the house contained 0–5% vegetation cover on six of the farms and at least 80% pasture on seven farms. On 10 farms, no more than 13% of the flock was observed outdoors. Of the hens observed in the free-range area, the median proportion ranging within 20m from the house or veranda per observation event was 99% (IQR=55–100%), confirming reports by the farmers. 4. Free-range access was considered important by all farmers, primarily for welfare reasons and most agreed that protective vegetation cover and/or artificial shelters were important in encouraging free-ranging. However, there was marked variation among the farmers in their suggestions on how to attract hens outside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Animal Production & Processing Technology / JurnalIlmu Produksi dan Teknologi Hasil Peternakan is the property of IPB University 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.)

Information on incubation behaviour and influencing factors is important for species whose incubation is monoparental and of conservation concern. We assessed the incubation pattern of a noteworthy endangered southern South America marine duck species, the Chubut steamerducks (Tachyeres leucocephalus), in the Northern San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina, in their core breeding area during 2015, 2016, and 2018. We described the laying and incubation period, characterized the nest incubation strategy, and determined the influence of environmental variables on its incubation strategy considering that weather conditions influence the incubation pattern. Our results showed that female Chubut steamerducks laid eggs every two days during sunrise; incubation starts once the female has full clutch size, then she increases nest attentiveness and takes nocturnal recesses ending in the morning. We suggested that nocturnal recesses during the incubation period contribute to minimizing avian predation. Even if weather conditions are one of the most important factors influencing the breeding behaviour of birds, we did not detect an environmental temperature and wind speed effect on the Chubut steamerducks' breeding behaviour. This is the first description of Chubut steamerducks' incubation rhythm, and we also present quantified measures of the incubation pattern. Our research provides valuable baseline information and contributes to increase knowledge on previously unknown life history features of this flightless, endemic, and vulnerable waterfowl species in the core of its narrow distribution range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The daily behaviours of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) during the breeding period were examined in the Sootave region of NW Iran. While previous studies by Carmen Martinez (2000) in Spain have provided insights into the seasonal variation, times of day, and land use patterns of Great Bustard activities, this study focuses on understanding the month-to-month variations in behaviour during the breeding period. Data on time budgets were collected, distinguishing between sexes and months. The study revealed variations in behaviours such as courtship, feeding, resting, scanning, moving, flying, and incubation, shedding light on how these behaviours change throughout the breeding season. Males were found to spend more time on courtship displays in March and April, while females allocated more time to feeding during those months. In May and June, these patterns reversed. The study provides important insights into the daily behaviours of Great Bustards during their breeding season, contributing to our understanding of this globally threatened species in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: High levels of predation can reduce survival rates of young birds and affect overall population growth. Therefore, birds that are better adapted to avoid predators, such as through strategic nest positioning, camouflage, and loud alarm calls, have a greater chance of successfully fledging their young. This study examines how white storks adapt to potential human threats during their nesting season and shows the effects of factors such as age, reproductive stage, and presence of a mate on their nesting behavior. The results show that storks are able to adapt their defense strategies depending on the perceived value and level of threat to their current brood. In particular, during crucial breeding phases, storks tend to prolong their stay in the nest while accelerating their return, reflecting a delicate balance between immediate reproductive needs and future prospects. In addition, the influence of a mate leads to earlier departure from the nest, suggesting a possible sexual conflict and interplay between parental care priorities. These results provide a deeper understanding of the intricate decision-making mechanisms of white storks when faced with perceived threats during the breeding season. The study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of avian behaviors in response to environmental challenges. Recognizing, assessing, and responding to threats is critical for survival in the wild. Birds, especially in their role as parents, must decide whether to flee or delay flight when threatened. This study examines how age, reproductive stage, and the presence of a mate influence flight initiation distance (FID) and nest recess duration in white storks. Analyzing the data with a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM), we found significant correlations between FID and age, reproductive stage, and presence of a mate. These results suggest that the trade-off between current and future reproduction shifts during critical breeding periods, such as incubation and nestling care. To increase breeding success, White Storks appear willing to take risks and extend their stay in the nest when offspring are most valuable and vulnerable. In the presence of a mate, individuals leave the nest earlier, suggesting possible sexual conflict over parental care. The duration of nest abandonment is consistent with FID, except for age. These results illustrate how parental age, brood value, vulnerability, and sexual dynamics influence white stork flight decisions in complex ways. Understanding these dynamics enriches our knowledge of bird behavior and adaptations to environmental challenges and highlights the complexity of parental decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mixed-species groups (MSGs), individuals from different species may locate and communicate about the presence of predators and prey quickly and accurately but may compete for food and favourable positions in the flock. Thus, foraging behaviour is likely to change when individuals participate in MSGs compared with single-species groups (SSGs). In a highly seasonal tropical environment, the foraging behaviour of omnivorous birds may also vary with fluctuations in food availability, weather, and breeding conditions. Here, we observed the foraging behaviour (food item consumed and foraging substrate) of an insectivorous-granivorous songbird, the Coal-crested finch (Charitospiza eucosma), in a savanna in central Brazil, while simultaneously sampling the grass seed production. Birds were more likely to consume grass seeds and forage on lower vertical strata (i.e., ground or herbaceous layers) in MSGs than in other social contexts (SSGs, pair or alone), suggesting they are facing interference competition from other species in MSGs or obtaining antipredator benefits in MSGs that enable them to explore preferred food resources in microhabitats more exposed to predators. As expected, Coal-crested finches were more likely to feed on grass seeds and forage on lower vertical strata when grass seed production is abundant, suggesting that they switch their diet according to the availability of their main food items: grass seeds and invertebrates. Weather and breeding seasonalities had small effects on foraging behaviour. Our results show that MSGs may have a major role in the foraging behaviour of omnivorous birds even considering the seasonal mismatching of their main food items. We studied the foraging behaviour of an insectivorous-granivorous songbird in a savanna in central Brazil. Coal-crested finches forage more on grass seeds and lower vertical strata in mixed-species groups than in single-species groups. Birds forage more on grass seeds and lower vertical strata during the circannual peak in grass seeds production. Foraging behaviour was weakly affected by weather and breeding seasonalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the nuanced relationship between songbirds and social dynamics in early modern England. It demonstrates how a rhetorical discourse of social distinction was created by printed bird‐training manuals. This discourse was necessary because the same species of songbird existed across the social spectrum. For native songbirds, therefore, their inherent value, and the status they conferred upon their owners, was determined more by their skill and training than by their particular species. Printed manuals explained how songbirds could be raised to surpass the limitations of nature through learning the song of another species, learning musical phrases and by being taught to sing in the winter rather than the summer. Analysing printed literature, probate inventories and household accounts, this article demonstrates that the practice of songbird‐keeping was widely affordable. This can then be contrasted to the 'gentlemanly' model of bird‐keeping outlined by printed manuals, which emphasise the need for investment into the birds to cause them to surpass the limitations of nature. The authority of this 'gentlemanly' model was used to cast judgment upon those who did not follow the manuals' guidance, highlighting the fact that a songbird's true value lay in its abilities rather than its species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily transformed urban ecosystems by restricting public human activity to only the most essential societal functions, even as other landscape level factors such as the built environment remained unchanged. In so doing, it provided a unique opportunity to experimentally answer questions about the role of human disturbance in driving behavioural adaptation in urban wildlife. We compared nesting data collected on an urban dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis , population nesting on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), U.S.A. campus during the 2021 nesting season, when the campus restrictions were in effect, to a similar data set collected in 2019, before the pandemic, in order to examine (1) whether urban dark-eyed juncos on the UCLA campus altered their use of novel off-ground and artificial nesting sites in response to reduced human activity and (2) whether reduced human activity impacted nesting success. We found that after a >80% reduction in human activity, junco nesting success during the COVID-19 pandemic modestly increased compared to prepandemic levels. However, nest site selection remained unchanged. Our findings suggest that the landscape of the built environment or urban predators, rather than disturbance by human activity, drives novel nest site selection in urban birds. • The COVID-19 closures decoupled human activity from the urban landscape. • An urban songbird population maintained novel nest site selection during closures. • Nest success increased, but within the expected range, during the closures. • Human activity does not drive novel urban nest site selection in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In science and engineering, many optimization tasks are difficult to solve, and the core concern these days is to apply metaheuristic (MH) algorithms to solve them. Metaheuristics have gained significant attention in recent years, with nature serving as the fundamental inspiration where self-organization property led to collective intelligence emerging from the behavior of a swarm of birds or colony of insects or more and more natural behavior. These swarms or colonies, even with extremely low individual competence, have the ability to accomplish many complicated activities that can be considered necessary for their existence. Accordingly, many MH algorithms have been developed based on natural phenomena. In this article, an analysis review of more than one hundred metaheuristics have been made. Further, the main contributions of this article are to give some vital insights about metaheuristics, presenting and proposing the general mathematical framework of MH algorithms and dividing it into a number of tasks with possible progress for each task. While there are still many open issues in this field, it is worth noting that there have been significant advancements in recent years. As a result, new algorithms are continuously being proposed to address these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some secondary cavity-nesting birds use nest material to cover their eggs when they are out foraging during the egg-laying stage. Egg covering presumably helps regulate nest temperature and/or prevents predation or parasitism. A recent study suggested that egg covering might prevent nest usurpation and therefore, we set up nest boxes with three different treatments to test this hypothesis: bottom of the nest box covered with moss containing two eggs covered with moss (type A); floor of the nest box covered with moss and two eggs exposed on top of the moss (Type B); and bare floor of the nest box, with two eggs added (Type C). The results showed the lowest egg predation rates in Type A nest boxes, which was significantly lower than those in type C boxes; the proportion of maritime striped squirrels (Tamiops maritimus), first appearing in the three types of nest box was not significantly different; however, the rate of first entry into Type A was significantly lower than that into Type C boxes. The rate of first entry and the time the squirrels spent in Type A boxes were significantly lower and shorter than those in Type C boxes. Our results suggest that the egg-covering behavior of secondary cavity-nesting birds delayed the entry of nest competitors and accelerated the departure of nest encroachers from the nest, thus provided experimental evidence for the usurpation hypothesis. Significance statement: Several non-mutually exclusive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of egg covering by bird species. The present study showed that egg covering by secondary cavity-nesting birds delayed the entry of maritime striped squirrels and accelerated the departure of nest encroachers from the nest, suggesting that egg covering might reduce the cost of nest defense for birds and thus prevent nest encroachment by other species. We provided experimental evidence for the new hypothesis proposed by Slagsvold and Wiebe (2021a) that egg-covering behavior of birds deters nest encroachers from easily entering unfamiliar, poorly lit cavities due to fear, thereby effectively preventing nest usurpation by squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pose estimation plays a crucial role in recognizing and analyzing the postures, actions, and movements of humans and animals using computer vision and machine learning techniques. However, bird pose estimation encounters specific challenges, including bird diversity, posture variation, and the fine granularity of posture. To overcome these challenges, we propose VHR-BirdPose, a method that combines Vision Transformer (ViT) and Deep High-Resolution Network (HRNet) with an attention mechanism. VHR-BirdPose effectively extracts features using Vision Transformer's self-attention mechanism, which captures global dependencies in the images and allows for better capturing of pose details and changes. The attention mechanism is employed to enhance the focus on bird keypoints, improving the accuracy of pose estimation. By combining HRNet with Vision Transformer, our model can extract multi-scale features while maintaining high-resolution details and incorporating richer semantic information through the attention mechanism. This integration of HRNet and Vision Transformer leverages the advantages of both models, resulting in accurate and robust bird pose estimation. We conducted extensive experiments on the Animal Kingdom dataset to evaluate the performance of VHR-BirdPose. The results demonstrate that our proposed method achieves state-of-the-art performance in bird pose estimation. VHR-BirdPose based on bird images is of great significance for the advancement of bird behaviors, ecological understanding, and the protection of bird populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some North American indigenous languages have names for 'common nighthawk' (Chordeiles minor)', 'robin', and 'bird' that are strikingly similar phonetically and have served to advocate long-distance genetic relationships among language families. While the Algonquian proto-form for 'nighthawk' has a rather straightforward pedigree, this is not the case for Siouan languages. Despite their phonetic resemblance, the ornithonyms for 'nighthawk' in half a dozen Siouan languages are unrelated; some are mimetic innovations and others are borrowed. This article analyses how and why ornithonyms are problematic in the application of the comparative method, a reality that affects the validity of long-distance claims, and offers alternative ways to deal with this issue. While ornithonyms can be inherited and undergo all the regular sound changes (or not) like other words, they are also problematic in many respects. First, they can be onomatopoetic and imitate the cry or call of the bird in question – a feature that accounts for their cross-linguistic similarity. Second, they can undergo ad hoc mimetic reshaping or become lexically contaminated based on phonetic similarity with other ornithonyms or words with which they are associated culturally. Third and last, they can be borrowed internally or externally. However, despite these comparative pitfalls (i.e., that some phonetically similar forms in a language family are not cognates), the analysis shows that our understanding of ornithological nomenclature can be enhanced by considering elements of ornithology, mythology, ethnographic knowledge, sayings, and puns pertaining to birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Claudia Brosseder's book, "Inka Bird Idiom: Amazonian Feathers in the Andes," explores the significance of scarlet macaw feathers in Inka culture. The book argues that macaws and their feathers were an important part of the Inka's understanding of the world and their connections to the human and non-human inhabitants of Amazonia. Each chapter of the book examines different aspects of Inka culture and their use of bird feathers, drawing on a range of evidence including colonial-period accounts and archaeological findings. Brosseder's research highlights the intricate networks of meaning and symbolism that revolved around avian life in Inka society. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Werkstatt Geschichte (Transcript Verlag) is the property of Transcript Verlag 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.)

Researchers have long suggested that animals with greater behavioural flexibility will be more likely to survive in face of environmental changes. However, it is unknown how this varies across species. Nest building is a behaviour directly related to the reproduction and survival of species by conferring protection from external environmental conditions. The study of nests offers a window into the behaviour of birds, and variation in nest morphology is necessarily linked to variation in building behaviours. We test whether variation in nest morphology is phylogenetically conserved by using data on nest morphology from 55 passerine species (>700 specimens) and measuring intraspecific variability in nest structure. We found that species mean and within-species variation in nest morphology are phylogenetically conserved, and that species with domed nests presented higher levels of nest morphology variation than cup nest species. We also revealed that the capacity of species to present innovative behaviours is not linked with how they vary nest morphology. Moreover, we revealed that nests from species with larger variation in clutch size and that are built by single parents are more variable. Our results help in the understanding of how behaviour and extended phenotypes evolve, and highlight the importance of exploring the phylogenetic history of behavioural flexibility when trying to predict the capacity of species to respond to novel challenges. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolutionary ecology of nests: a cross-taxon approach'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical data on aircraft collisions with birds of prey (Falconiformes and Accipitriformes) are analyzed. The basis of the analysis was the results of study at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPEE RAS). The reasons and factors attracting birds of prey to airfields are considered. In the period from 2005 to 2022, seven species of birds of prey involved in 29 collisions with aircraft were identified. The largest number of birdstrikes occur with the Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus and the common buzzard Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. Most collisions occur at the airport or in its vicinity; strikes occur 4.3 times more often during take-off than during landing. Primarily the engine or wing structure is damaged by collisions with raptor birds. Recommendations are given to control bird behavior to minimize strikes with birds of prey at the airfield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are extremely important vectors that transmit zoonotic West Nile virus (WNV) globally, resulting in significant outbreaks in birds, humans, and mammals. The abundance of mosquito vectors combined with the migratory flying behaviour of wild birds across the globe has exacerbated the dynamics of WNV infection. Depth understanding of the WNV infection requires a comprehensive understanding of the character of the vector in terms of their taxonomy, morphology, biology, behaviours, preferences, and factors that promote their breeding. Most susceptible animals and humans may experience serious neurological illnesses such as encephalitis. Little is known about the susceptibility of mosquitoes to WNV infection. This review provides insightful knowledge about the characteristics of mosquitoes that carry WNV and their susceptibility to WNV infection. The context of mosquito’s involvement in WNV transmission is demonstrated through space and time from the 1950’s until to date. The historical timeline of WNV transmission strength was significantly intensified via the complex interactions between vector, virus, and environment. Such knowledge will provide valuable insights into vector control intervention mitigation strategies, especially in tropical climate countries like Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nest boxes have been used as artificial cavities for decades to attract cavity-nesting birds that rely on such structures to roost and breed. Nest boxes aid research efforts to understand the biology and behaviour of birds and may increase breeding success, thereby contributing to the conservation of a species. The type and dimension of nest boxes and the survey design used in the tropics vary, depending on the targeted species. This paper reviewed 30 published in-situ works using nest boxes and their survey design in Malaysia. Most studies were done on Barn Owls (Tyto alba javanica) (25), followed by hornbills (5), where they were conducted in oil palm plantations (50%), rice fields (20%), forest habitats (16.7%), urban landscapes (10%), and different habitat matrices (3.3%). Attempts to enhance/manage the local populations were the main research purpose. Unlike studies from other tropical countries, studies involving nest boxes in Malaysia are still in their infancy. This review suggests future research focus on forest species, especially those requiring immediate conservation attention, and delineate parameters highlighted in published works to counter literature inconsistency. Such research involving nest boxes may also be further expanded to the study and/or conserve other interconnected fauna species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids are globally used insecticides, and there are increasing evidence on their negative effects on birds. This study is aimed at characterizing the behavioral and physiological effects of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid (IMI) in a songbird. Adults of Agelaioides badius were exposed for 7 days to non-treated peeled millet and to peeled millet treated with nominal concentrations of 75 (IMI1) and 450 (IMI2) mg IMI/kg seed. On days 2 and 6 of the trial, the behavior of each bird was evaluated for 9 min by measuring the time spent on the floor, the perch, or the feeder. Daily millet consumption, initial and final body weight, and physiological, hematological, genotoxic, and biochemical parameters at the end of exposure were also measured. Activity was greatest on the floor, followed by the perch and the feeder. On the second day, birds exposed to IMI1and IMI2 remained mostly on the perch and the feeder, respectively. On the sixth day, a transition occurred to sectors of greater activity, consistent with the disappearance of the intoxication signs: birds from IMI1 and IMI2 increased their time on the floor and the perch, respectively. Control birds always remained most of the time on the floor. IMI2 birds significantly decreased their feed intake by 31% the first 3 days, compared to the other groups, and significantly decreased their body weight at the end of the exposure. From the set of hematological, genotoxic, and biochemical parameters, treated birds exhibited an alteration of glutathione-S-transferase activity (GST) in breast muscle; the minimal effects observed are probably related to the IMI administration regime. These results highlight that the consumption of less than 10% of the bird daily diet as IMI-treated seeds trigger effects at multiple levels that can impair bird survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird assemblages can be found in archeological sites throughout the Pleistocene. Taphonomy studies are key to understanding how such assemblages were formed. These assemblages can be generated by various agents, including human groups, animals, and natural death. In this paper, we analyzed the avifaunal assemblage from level TE9d at the Sima del Elefante site, where corvid (Corvidae) remains are the most abundant taxa, as reported in previous studies from that deposit. The remains of smaller birds (Charadriiformes, Rallidae) and large raptors (Aquila cf. heliaca/adalberti, Haliaeetus albicilla) have also been documented. Our taphonomic analysis shows that birds of prey were the main accumulators of bird remains at the site. The presence of modifications such as beak/talon marks and different degrees of digestion reinforce the idea that both diurnal and nocturnal raptors were involved. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the accumulation by natural death of those species that could have nested in the rocky walls of the cave. The absence of evidence of anthropogenic activity on the bird remains from level TE9d therefore indicates that hominins were not involved in this accumulation. These results can be considered a new contribution to the discussion on the origin of avifaunal accumulations in Pleistocene archeological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the 1,224 bird remains found during the excavations of 1990–2015 in the Vilnius Lower Castle, Lithuania. The faunal material originates from a wide time span of the 13th to the 19th centuries. To explore the bird consumption in different periods of occupation of the castle and between different social strata, we analyzed the bird specimens by morphological characteristics. The study included taxonomical identification, recording the taphonomic features and pathologies, and assessing age and sex. As expected, the majority of the bones belong to the domestic chicken, but it is mostly the presence of wild taxa such as hawk, swan, and wild galliforms that demonstrates the various roles the birds played in peoples' everyday lives. Additionally, a few pathologies like avian osteopetrosis were identified that are unique to the eastern Baltic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of anvils to strike prey is a behavior observed in some species of birds around the world. Here, I investigated the use of anvils by the Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus). The study was carried out through the analysis of citizen science photographs and comments made by the authors of these records. In the 365 records analyzed, vertebrates were the predominant prey (n = 213; 58.35%) and Hemidactylus mabouia was the most frequent species. Tree branches were the most used anvil category (n = 199; 54.52%), and in 12.87% of the photographic records the authors described in their comments the behavior of the bird beating the prey before feeding on it. The use of anvils allows birds to strike down different types of prey and expand their food niche. It, thus, favors the establishment of their populations. However, these relationships still require further investigation. By the observation and registration of birds in natural environments, citizen science has become an important research tool for ornithologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Broiler chickens are usually housed in high-density, relatively barren conditions that limit their opportunities to express natural behaviors and be active. This study aimed to investigate the effects of complex environments and stocking densities on broiler behavior. The frequency and duration of broiler chicken behaviors, such as preening, dustbathing, foraging, and play were recorded at different time points when birds were 2, 4, and 7 weeks old. We found that environmental complexity positively influenced foraging, locomotion, preening, and overall activity. However, dustbathing and play were not affected by the complexity of the environment. High stocking density resulted in more frequent but not longer activity overall, which suggests disturbances. In addition, high density resulted in less frequent foraging, drinking, and eating. As chickens aged, their activity levels reduced, and they showed potential signs of frustration. However, the benefits of environmental complexity and low density persisted. Overall, providing a complex environment with a low stocking density can enhance broiler chicken welfare by stimulating their natural behaviors. The objective was to evaluate the impacts of a complex environment and stocking density on Ross 708 broiler chicken behaviors. Eight pens contained either high complexity (HC) or low complexity (LC) environments, and high (HD) or low (LD) density. Through focal-animal sampling, the frequency and duration of behaviors were recorded continuously for 5 min at two timepoints for one day in weeks 2, 4, and 7. Birds were active for 30% of the observed time, with birds showing more activity in HC compared with LC. Birds in HC pens spent more time preening and foraging than birds in LC pens, which was interpreted as a positive outcome. Dustbathing and play were not impacted by complexity, possibly due to the observation method. Birds were more frequently active at HD compared with LD, but did not spend more time being active, suggesting disturbances. Birds foraged, drank, and ate less frequently in HD compared with LD, presumably because birds had more difficulty accessing resources. Activity and active behaviors reduced as birds aged, while preening frequency increased, possibly due to frustration, but this was not confirmed. Perching was unaffected by age, showing a persistent motivation to perform the behavior. Our results indicate that a complex environment provides positive stimulation for foraging, locomotion, preening, and overall activity. Despite reduced activity, many benefits of the tested environmental complexity and low density persisted as birds aged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foraging behavior is increasingly seen as an integral component in maintaining connectivity within habitat structure. Daily patterns in the foraging behavior of birds are assumed to balance the counteracting starvation, risks of predation and mate choice in breeding season in songbirds. Present study is the first investigation of the data on foraging patterns assemblage of population of Indian robin (Copshychus fulicatus L.), belongs to Semi-urban climate in Himalayan foothills. Foraging rate were found higher in male Indian robin in breeding season than non-breeding season because they need more energy to sing to attract female in breeding season, while female forage almost equal in both the season. Slight variation were found in foraging rate in morning and evening for both the sexes, evening have little more edges. This study also has significant value to study the effect of increasing urbanization on foraging, as need of recent research of ornithologist for sub- population, sub- species and species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grooming behaviour, which maintains and cleans the integument, is a widespread behaviour of birds, mammals and arthropods. The extent to which grooming is influenced by large-scale environmental differences, such as geographical and seasonal variation, remains largely unexplored. We investigated spatial and temporal variation in the grooming behaviour of a common species of bird, the American kestrel, Falco sparverius. Specifically, we compared the self-grooming behaviour (preening and scratching) of kestrels in the subtropical Bahamas to kestrels in temperate northern Utah, U.S.A., in both summer and winter. We also compared differences in parasite 'pressure' by quantifying the prevalence and abundance of ectoparasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) on kestrels in both locations. Bahama kestrels had significantly more lice than Utah kestrels, which is typical of birds in humid regions, compared to arid regions. Bahama kestrels groomed significantly more than Utah kestrels, which may constrain the time–activity budgets of Bahama kestrels. Within each region, however, birds with more lice did not groom more. This pattern is consistent with geographical differences in programmed grooming, rather than stimulus-driven grooming. Kestrels in both locations groomed significantly more in summer than in winter, presumably because feather moult occurs in summer. To our knowledge, this study provides the first demonstration of geographical variation in the grooming behaviour of any animal. Experimental studies are needed to confirm the causes and consequences of this variation. Spatial and temporal comparisons of grooming in other birds, as well as mammals and arthropods, would be informative. • American kestrels varied in grooming time, both seasonally and geographically. • Birds in the subtropics groomed more than birds in the temperate region. • Parasitic feather lice were more abundant on subtropical than temperate birds. • Birds in both regions groomed more in summer (during moult) than in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent development of animal-borne sensors coupled with location data can provide insights into how individuals modify their behaviour with respect to specific habitat features. Animals can express a diverse array of behaviours as they navigate heterogenous landscapes, yet few studies have specifically evaluated the interaction of behaviours with habitat characteristics. We used a novel broadcast acoustic transmitter to investigate the interaction between vocal behaviours of an endemic Hawaiian thrush, the ʻōmaʻo, Myadestes obscurus , and habitat features across a naturally fragmented forest landscape. Through the development of behavioural landscape models that link specific vocalizations with space use, we found that the use of different vocalization types (calls, songs, whisper songs) were highly variable across the landscape but were associated with distinct habitat features. The likelihood of calls increased in an open lava matrix between forest patches, while whisper songs were more strongly associated with the dense interior areas of forest fragments. In contrast, the rate of ʻōmaʻo vocalizations overall decreased in the open lava matrix, suggesting that ʻōmaʻo may shift behaviours from territory defence to foraging as they transition through different habitats. Our study revealed context-specific changes in behaviour across ʻōmaʻo home ranges, including courtship, aggression and social interactions between individuals. Combining the use of a novel acoustic tool with automated radiotelemetry allowed us to overcome challenges associated with detection and analysis of variation in behaviour and resource selection across a highly heterogeneous landscape that would have been otherwise difficult to impossible. • We examined the interaction between bird vocal behaviour and habitat characteristics. • We used a novel broadcast transmitter to obtain high-quality vocalization recordings. • Vocalizations varied by habitat structure parameters acquired by airborne LiDAR. • Behavioural landscapes can help identify key habitat features for a species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the agricultural sector, especially paddy fields, birds are considered pests when they destroy the paddy plants by eating the grains and reducing crop production. Pest birds are a common problem in agriculture. Nevertheless, studies of the pest birds, particularly on their distribution, ecology, and management, are still scarce in Malaysia. One of the significant pest birds in this case study is the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio). The objectives of this study are (1) to identify pest birds species (2) to investigate the behaviour of Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and (3) to provide potential solutions for pest birds problems to local farmers at Sawah Ring, Tangkak. The methods used were direct observation using binoculars, spotter scope, and a digital camera. Besides that, a survey through the distribution of questionnaires and interviews was also conducted among the local people at the study site. Five species of pest birds have been recorded, which are, Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica), Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), Javan Munia (Lonchura leucogastroides) and Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus). From the list, Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), was identified as the most disturbing pest bird. The occurrence of this species were marked at Block 1, Block 3, Block 15, Block 16, Block 18, and Block 19 at Sawah Ring, Tangkak, and the species' behaviour (resting, nesting, feeding, etc.) was also recorded. In terms of solutions, several methods have been identified to overcome the pest bird problem based on the literature studies, such as physical and chemical repellent, buzzer and mesh networks, and also acoustic tools. Overall, pest birds are a significant problem in the paddy field areas of Sawah Ring, Tangkak. It reduced the quantity and quality of paddy production and caused losses to farmers. Understanding the occurrence and behaviour of pest birds is indeed crucial for better management of these pest bird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFS) provide diclofenac-free food and create an ideal environment for long-term ecological research on vultures. This study determines the population status and investigates the diurnal behavior of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) at the Ghachowk VSFS in Kaski, Nepal. We deployed the absolute count method to determine population of Whiterumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), while scan sampling was applied to investigate their diurnal behaviour. The observed population of Gyps bengalensis ranged from 34 to 65 individuals (with an average of 50±10, based on a sample size of 9). Throughout the daytime, a total of 1651 instances of 11 distinct activities were recorded for the species in 729 separate observations. The most frequent daytime behaviour observed was perching (28%) followed by preening (14%), basking (13%), scratching (13%) flapping (10%), flying (9%) and disturbance (7%). Other behaviors, like feeding, sleeping (roosting), fighting (competition), and bathing, were observed less frequently (<2% each). Perching occurred most frequently during heavy rain, accounting for 66% of the observations, and in the late afternoon, representing 36% of the instances. Basking was most commonly observed during partly sunny conditions, comprising 26% of the observations, and in the noon hours, representing 20% of the instances. Scratching behavior was most frequently observed during clear weather, accounting for 16% of the observations, and during cloudy conditions and in the morning, accounting for 14% of the instances. In the Ghachowk VSFS, other associated species with Whiterumped Vulture were Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, and Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris. This study plays a pivotal role in uncovering the conservation requirements especially in reducing social taboos of the tradition communities regarding this critically endangered species which needs strong social support for its long-term conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nest location is one of the key components of avian reproduction and sharp transitions between different nest location strategies may have profound ecological and evolutionary consequences. Here, we used a phylogenetically‐informed comparative framework to reconstruct the evolution of ground nesting behaviour in passerine birds, quantify its biogeographical and habitat variation, and test for its associations with life history traits. Our dataset comprised over 1600 species distributed worldwide and representing ca 90% of all extant passerine families. Our analyses revealed a scattered phylogenetic distribution and moderate phylogenetic signal in the occurrence of ground nesting in passerines. We also found relatively high forward and backward transitions rates between character states of ground and non‐ground nesting, indicating strong evolutionary lability. Non‐ground nesting was identified as a likely ancestral state at the root of passerine phylogeny. Occurrence of ground nesting was clearly associated with habitat variation, as open habitats generally supported greater proportion of ground nesting species than non‐open habitats (forests). Within the major habitat categories we found greater proportion of ground nesters in boreal and temperate than subtropical and tropical zones. This reflected a general latitudinal gradient in the occurrence of ground nesting, with higher proportion of ground nesting species at higher latitudes (especially at the northern hemisphere). Ground nesting was also associated with fast life histories, as ground nesters had larger clutches, shorter incubation periods and faster chick development rates than non‐ground nesters. This variation was possibly driven by higher predation rates on nestlings and adult birds in ground nesting species. Our study lays a foundation for a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms and processes that have driven macroevolution of ground nesting behaviour in the most species‐rich extant avian lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study assessed the effect of litter materials (paddy husk and sawdust) and elevated platform enrichment on welfare (foot pad dermatitis (FPD), hock burns, plumage cleanliness, behaviours, litter quality, and body weight of the broiler chickens living in the cooling pad area of a closed house. A total of 320 Indian River broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatments: paddy husk with an elevated platform, paddy husk with no elevated platform, sawdust with an elevated platform, and sawdust with no elevated platform with four replicates for each treatment (n=20). Behaviour of the birds was assessed by scan sampling methods. Welfare indicators were assessed by using a scoring system. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model and Kruskal-Wallis tests. There was no effect of litter material on the prevalence of FPD (P>0.05). Elevated platforms reduced the severity of FPD in the birds in both litters (P<0.05). The birds reared in sawdust regardless of elevated platforms, showed higher (P<0.05) scores for hock burns. Litter quality was lower in sawdust, irrespective of the elevated platforms (P<0.05). There was no effect of the elevated platform on litter quality, hock burns, plumage cleanliness, and behaviours of the birds. A higher frequency of dust bathing was observed in paddy husks (P=0.014). Litter material or elevated platform did not affect body weight of the birds. Results revealed that the provision of elevated platforms and paddy husk litter material enhanced the welfare of broiler chickens in the closed-house system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobbing is a prevalent anti-predatory behaviour in birds where prey actively engage in harassing predators. Functional traits have been shown to affect prey species' tendency to engage in mobbing, but empirical studies have largely neglected to assess the influence of some other potentially important functional traits, such as intraspecific and interspecific sociality, on mobbing or measured different aspects of the behaviour. In this study, we performed playback experiments that elicited mobbing responses from a forest bird community in southern China, to investigate the influence of body mass, foraging strata, as well as intra- and interspecific sociality, on the prevalence of mobbing, as well as the intensity of aggression and vocalness. We found that species with small body masses engaged in more frequent and intense mobbing behaviours. Notably, interspecific sociality was negatively associated with birds' mobbing prevalence and tended to be negatively associated with vocalness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting the parameters of a lead‐acid battery under real‐world operating conditions is a significant part of solar photovoltaic (PV) engineering. Usually, the battery management system handles the battery system based on its model. However, its model's parameters can change due to its electrochemical nature. Hence, enhancing the model parameters' accuracy is required to achieve a reliable and accurate model. This research employs an improved methodology for extracting lead‐acid battery data outdoors. The suggested method combines numerical and analytical formulations of parametric battery models for solar PV energy storage. The Shepherd model, which considers the battery's non‐linear properties, is selected in this paper. Based on a modern meta‐heuristic marine predator algorithm, the parameters of two solar lead‐acid batteries are discovered using an optimal parameter identification technique (MPA). The MPA exhibits its capability in terms of fast convergence and accuracy. The acquired test results are compared to those produced by the salp swarm algorithm, artificial eco‐system optimizer, hunger games search, a new optimization meta‐heuristic method that inspires the behavior of the swarm of birds called COOT, and honey badger algorithm in terms of efficiency, convergence speed, and identification accuracy. The findings demonstrated that the MPA outperformed the other optimizers in identifying ability. This optimizer achieved 99.99% identification efficiency for both Bergan and Banner battery types, making it an excellent battery identification option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manual behavioral observations have been applied in both environment and laboratory experiments in order to analyze and quantify animal movement and behavior. Although these observations contributed tremendously to ecological and neuroscientific disciplines, there have been challenges and disadvantages following in their footsteps. They are not only time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone but they can also be subjective, which induces further difficulties in reproducing the results. Therefore, there is an ongoing endeavor towards automated behavioral analysis, which has also paved the way for open-source software approaches. Even though these approaches theoretically can be applied to different animal groups, the current applications are mostly focused on mammals, especially rodents. However, extending those applications to other vertebrates, such as birds, is advisable not only for extending species-specific knowledge but also for contributing to the larger evolutionary picture and the role of behavior within. Here we present an open-source software package as a possible initiation of bird behavior classification. It can analyze pose-estimation data generated by established deep-learning-based pose-estimation tools such as DeepLabCut for building supervised machine learning predictive classifiers for pigeon behaviors, which can be broadened to support other bird species as well. We show that by training different machine learning and deep learning architectures using multivariate time series data as input, an F1 score of 0.874 can be achieved for a set of seven distinct behaviors. In addition, an algorithm for further tuning the bias of the predictions towards either precision or recall is introduced, which allows tailoring the classifier to specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foraging is an extremely important behaviour for birds, especially during the breeding season, when they have to carry the cost of incubation and chick rearing, in addition to their own energy needs. Aerial insectivores perform most of their foraging behaviours in flight, so they have evolved various adaptations to reduce energy output whilst increasing energy input during this critical period. In this study, we recorded the 3D flight behaviours of 100 house martins (Delichon urbicum) flying near their colony during the breeding season in Rennes, France. We give a first description of the distribution of several kinematic and biomechanical variables (horizontal and vertical speed, rates of change in kinetic and potential energy, turning radius of curvature and centripetal force), compare flapping and gliding flight, and describe several strategies used by flying house martins to save energy, such as environmental energy extraction (thermal soaring) and optimisation of flight speed according to wind speed and direction. We also report an effect of temperature, solar radiation and humidity on the mean vertical speed of gliding birds, highlighting the effect of weather on the availability of external energy sources such as thermal updrafts. Finally, we compare the distribution of flight speed and vertical speed between 5 juveniles identified using magnified photographs and 20 adults recorded during the same field sessions, and we show that during flapping flight, juveniles exhibit higher, more variable airspeed than adults, suggesting that their flight behaviours are not immediately fine-tuned after leaving the nest. Significance statement: Aerial insectivores use various strategies to reduce the cost of foraging flight. Using an optical tracking method, we recorded the 3D flight behaviours of house martins (Delichon urbicum) flying near their colony during the breeding season. We describe the distribution of several biomechanical variables and show that house martins use external energy sources such as thermal updrafts and also adapt their airspeed to wind speed and direction, supporting the predictions on optimal cost of transport in birds. Moreover, juveniles were also recorded, and they show a greater variability in flight speed, possibly because they may not be as accurate as adults in finely adjusting their speed and altitude. Our findings add to the existing literature showing energy-saving strategies in aerial insectivores, and also study an ontogenetical aspect rarely explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To manage for more sustainable wildlife viewing tourism, a better understanding of tourists' behaviour that might disturb and negatively affect wildlife such as birds is needed. We conducted a qualitative case study of visitors to Hornøya, a protected bird cliff in Northern Norway. Behaviours with the potential to disturb seabirds at the site were explored using the theory of planned behaviour as a guiding framework. In-depth interviews and observations were used to explore why some visitors perform illegal or unwanted, potentially harmful behaviours, and to understand attitudes, social norms, and perceived behaviour control as influencing factors. The tourists visited Hornøya to experience seabirds in their natural surroundings, without causing harm. They were emotionally affected by the bird encounters, which may lead to thoughts and reflections about environmental challenges and nature protection. Visitors generally did not intend to disturb birds during these encounters. However, many visitors interpreted the birds' behaviour as meaning that they were not easily disturbed. Poorly developed social norms among visitors, in combination with limited presence of surveillance/guide personnel, and strong behavioural control among some visitors (willingness and ability to engage in illegal behaviour) led to occasional breaching of formal rules as well as incidents of inappropriate, potentially disturbing behaviour towards birds. Experienced wildlife photographers tended to show willingness and ability to engage in illegal behaviour more often than the two other segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media has created new opportunities to map cultural ecosystem services (CES) related to biodiversity at large scales. However, using these novel data to understand people's preferences in relation to these CES remains a challenge.To address this, we trained a deep learning model to capture people's interactions with selected flora and fauna on Flickr as a cultural service related to biodiversity and compared this with citizen science data on iNaturalist, with photos of individual species considered as human–species interactions.After mapping the distribution of people's interactions in Great Britain on Flickr and iNaturalist, we find significant spatial differences in people's preferences on the two platforms.Using a second, pretrained deep learning model, we were also able to identify different preferences for species groups such as birds on social media versus citizen science.To better understand people's preferences, we also compared people's interactions with species richness and abundance for a group of 36 bird species, sometimes finding large differences between people's interactions and these ecological measures.Our findings demonstrate that social media can be used to include a wider range of preferences in CES assessments along‐side citizen science data. However, these preferences reflect only a limited first‐hand experience of biodiversity. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]