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Gough Moorhens Gallinula comeri were introduced to Tristan da Cunha in the 1950s, and are now numerous in lowland habitat, filling the ecological niche of the extinct Tristan Moorhen G. nesiotis. On their native Gough Island, moorhens have a varied diet, ranging from vegetation and fruits to scavenging and even predatory behaviour. Here, we examined the stomach contents of four birds on Tristan da Cunha to provide insight into their diet. Moorhens mostly ate vegetation, but we also recorded spiders (Arthropoda: Aranea), earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae), remains of introduced rodents (Mus musculus), and anthropogenic debris. As on Gough Island, moorhens on Tristan have a generalist diet, and the impact of ecosystem restoration (and of the moorhens themselves) should be considered.

We carried out a study on dynamics of the Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, a synanthropic rallid (Aves, Gruiformes), to elucidate the adverse effects this species has possibly suffered from the markedly increased habitat degradation that has been taking place over the last decades at Boussedra Pond, north-eastern Algeria. During the period 2015–2018, this wetland-related species showed an annual 35.4% decrease in its numbers, and the number of breeding pairs, which was monitored between 2008 and 2018, experienced an annual drop of 4.9%. The clutch size, a key determinant of breeding performance, averaged 4.7 ± 1.0 eggs (N = 26 clutches) in 2018 and was significantly lower than those reported in previous studies. As a result of anthropogenic activities, the size of the marsh decreased by more than 50% over the 1984–2018 period. The long-lasting shrinkage of this relict wetland was accompanied by the expansion of built-up areas (>50%) and cultivated plots, and, also, by a marked reduction in natural both wet- and dry-land habitats in its vicinity. We suggest that the decrease in the population trend and the breeding performance of the Common Moorhen could be indicative of the species stress response to the long-lasting land conversion, pressuring the relict habitat of Boussedra Pond.

The present study represents the first attempts to give a full anatomical comparison of the vascular pigmented pectin oculi of the diurnal activity Anas querquedula and Gallinula chloropus chloropus. For achievement of this work, 10 mature birds from each species were examined under stereo- and electron microscope. The pecten oculi of A. querquedula is triangular fan-like, while in Gallinula c. thin like-fold. In both examined birds, the pecten oculi located postero-anteriorly intraocular just adjacent to optic nerve disc and attached to the retina by its base, while the free apex projected into vitreous body. A. querquedula had 14-15 pleats, while Gallinula c. chloropus had 22-24 pleats. In A. querquedula, all pecten pleats connected to each other apically by a connecting bridge. The pecten oculi was plicated type in A. querquedula, but folded type in Gallinula c. chloropus. In A. querquedula, the external surface of the pleats head carried 8-10 transverse ridges, in addition to the external and lateral surface of the pleat body carried numerous round prominences that indicated the presence of numerous afferent and efferent vessels. In both examined birds, there is a retinal elevated fold situated parallel to the slightly elevated basal fold which is clear and thicker in A. querquedula than in Gallinula c. chloropus. In Gallinula c. chloropus, the transverse section shows that the pleats had numerous afferent and efferent vessels capillaries. Statistical analysis comparing the relative measurements of the pecten oculi in the two examined birds showed that there was a significant difference.

The habitat selection of two abundant and widespread Palearctic rallids (Coot Fulica atra; Moorhen Gallinula chloropus) across a range of wetland types was investigated. The distribution of these two species varied according to water depth, as implied by the dominant vegetation present in the study area. Coots most frequently used wet dune slacks dominated by Phragmites australis, whereas Moorhens were mostly present in anthropized ecotones. It is hypothesized that because these two rallid species respond differently to various environmental pressures, they could be used as useful indicators for biomonitoring remnant wetlands. Indeed, they are relatively generalist, common, widespread and medium‐sized species, relatively easy to detect and exhibit a high sensitivity to specific water‐related habitat types, also at a small‐scaled spatial resolution.

Facultative avian brood parasites increase their reproductive output by laying eggs in the nests of conspecifics or closely related species. The Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus is a well-known facultative brood parasite that nests in wetlands, which are utilised also by a wide range of waterfowl, including the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra. The two species breed in similar habitats and have a similar egg pigmentation pattern; thus, the Coot can be a suitable host of brood-parasitic Moorhen. To study whether there is any discernible difference between the spotting pattern of Coot and Moorhen eggs, we compared the density of different sized spots on eggs of the two species. Our results show that Coot eggs have a significantly higher density of small speckles then Moorhen eggs, while the latter species has eggs with more conspicuous larger spots. Therefore, Coots can possibly rely on these differences in eggshell pattern to recognize and eject the brood parasitic Moorhen eggs.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is revolutionising biodiversity monitoring, but has unrealised potential for ecological hypothesis generation and testing. Here, we validate this potential in a large-scale analysis of vertebrate community data generated by eDNA metabarcoding of 532 UK ponds. We test biotic associations between the threatened great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and other vertebrates as well as abiotic factors influencing T. cristatus detection at the pondscape. Furthermore, we test the status of T. cristatus as an umbrella species for pond conservation by assessing whether vertebrate species richness is greater in ponds with T. cristatus and higher T. cristatus Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) scores. T. cristatus detection was positively correlated with amphibian and waterfowl species richness. Specifically, T. cristatus was positively associated with smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), common coot (Fulica atra), and common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), but negatively associated with common toad (Bufo bufo). T. cristatus detection did not significantly decrease as fish species richness increased, but negative associations with common carp (Cyprinus carpio), three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) were identified. T. cristatus detection was negatively correlated with mammal species richness, and T. cristatus was negatively associated with grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). T. cristatus detection was negatively correlated with larger pond area, presence of inflow, and higher percentage of shading, but positively correlated with HSI score, supporting its application to T. cristatus survey. Vertebrate species richness was significantly higher in T. cristatus ponds and broadly increased as T. cristatus HSI scores increased. We reaffirm reported associations (e.g. T. cristatus preference for smaller ponds) but also provide novel insights, including a negative effect of pond inflow on T. cristatus. Our findings demonstrate the prospects of eDNA metabarcoding for ecological hypothesis generation and testing at landscape scale, and dramatic enhancement of freshwater conservation, management, monitoring and research.

El lago Titicaca tiene entre su biodiversidad más resaltante a la avifauna, la cual no sólo cumple importantes roles ecológicos, sino también suelen utilizarse en la alimentación humana, desconociéndose sus características nutricionales y organolépticas. Por ello se planteó determinar la composición proximal de la carne de “pato puna”, “choka”, “tiquicho”, “pato pana” y “keñola” y sus posibilidades de aceptación sensorial por personas no habituadas a su consumo. Se determinó humedad, proteína, grasa, ceniza, carbohidratos y energía, considerando seis réplicas por especie; además se realizaron evaluaciones sensoriales de carne cruda mediante un panel de 24 jueces que determinaron su aceptabilidad. Todas las carnes presentaron humedad entre 71 y 76 % sin diferencias significativas, las proteínas oscilaron entre 18 y 22 % con diferencias entre especies, destacando la choka con 22.38 %; las concentraciones de grasas también difirió entre especies siendo mayor en tikicho con 5.9%, las cenizas estuvieron entre 0.8 y 1%, los contenidos de carbohidratos no superaron el 1% y el mayor nivel de energía lo presentó el tikicho promediando 142.98 kcal/100 g. La mayor cantidad de energía estuvo relacionado con mayores niveles de grasa (r = 0.83) y mayores concentraciones de humedad con menores de proteínas (r = -0.82); se presentó mayor nivel de proteínas en épocas secas y más grasas en épocas lluviosas. Las carnes organolépticamente no fueron del todo aceptadas por el panel, catalogándolas a la mayoría como “regularmente aceptables”. El lago Titicaca tiene entre su biodiversidad más resaltante la avifauna, que no sólo cumple importantes roles ecológicos, sino también se utiliza en la alimentación humana; pero se desconoce sus características nutricionales y organolépticas. Por ello, el objetivo fue determinar la composición proximal de la carne de pato puna (Spatula puna), choka (Fulica ardesiaca) tiquicho (Gallinula chloropus), pato pana (Oxyura jamaicensis) y keñola (Rollandia microptera), y sus posibilidades de aceptación sensorial por personas no habituadas a su consumo. Se determinó el contenido de humedad, proteína, grasa, ceniza, carbohidratos y energía, considerando seis repeticiones por especie. También se realizaron evaluaciones sensoriales de la carne cruda por medio de un panel de 24 jueces que determinaron su aceptabilidad. Todas las carnes presentan humedad entre 71 y 76%, proteína entre 18 y 22% con diferencias entre especies, destacando la choka con 22.38%. La concentración de grasa difirió entre especies, presentando mayor contenido el tikicho con 5.9%, las cenizas oscilaron entre 0.8 y 1%, los contenidos de carbohidratos no superaron el 1% y el mayor nivel de energía lo tuvo el tikicho con 142.98 kcal 100 g−1 . La mayor cantidad de energía se relacionó con mayores niveles de grasa (r = 0.83) y la concentración de humedad con menores contenidos de proteína (r = -0.82); el mayor contenido de proteínas se presentó en secas y el mayor contenido de grasas en las lluvias. Las carnes organolépticamente no fueron aceptadas por el panel, catalogándolas como regularmente aceptables.

The present work was the first attempt to examine the oesophagus and stomach of the Eurasian common moorhen grossly and by SEM. The oesophagus was composed of long cervical and short thoracic parts. The longitudinal folds of the cervical part were narrower than that of the thoracic part, while the depressions between these folds were shallower and wider in the cervical part. On the epithelial surface of the oesophagus, micropapillae were present and they were numerous and smaller at the level of the cervical part. The openings of the oesophageal glands were circular at the level of the cervical part and oval to elliptical at the thoracic part. The crop was absent. The proventriculus was fusiform in shape; its mucosa was arranged in several, concentrically arranged mucosal folds connected with each other by transverse folds. The proventriculus glands were oval and opened by raised papillae on the epithelial surface. The gizzard was oval; its mucosa was lined by a horizontal layer of cuticle appeared like the fish scales, while the vertical part of the cuticle appeared as thin rods. The folds of the oesophagus are functioning for the expansion for the passage of the food particles. The tunica musculosa of the gizzard was thick to help in grinding of the food particles.

The study of island subspecies provides excellent “natural experiments” for examining the impacts of different selective regimes on animal taxa. We examined the morphological differences between the Hawaiian and continental North American subspecies of the Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis and G. g. cachinnans, respectively), for which the existing literature is both scant and contradictory. More than 200 live gallinules and >100 museum specimens were measured, and a meta-analysis of literature values on North American Common Gallinules was conducted to quantitatively assess differences in wing chord, culmen and tarsus length, and body mass between these subspecies. Hawaiian Common Gallinules had smaller wing chords (–2.5 to –4.0%), larger culmen (+4.5 to +7.0%) and tarsi (+5.5 to +23.0%), and slightly larger body masses (∼+4.0%) than their mainland conspecifics. This is likely due to several factors including reduced predation pressure, shorter dispersal distances, nonmigratory behavior, and sedentary lifestyles associated with ecological differences between the Hawaiian Islands and the North American mainland. We also introduce the novel hypothesis that intra- and interspecific agonistic interactions due to habitat limitation are an additional selective force in driving these morphological changes.

The spleen is the largest secondary lymphoid organ with major roles in the removal of blood-borne antigens. The Eurasian moorhen is a wild aquatic bird that revealed the adaptation to harsh environmental conditions. Information regarding the structural features of moorhen's spleen is lacking. The present study aimed to describe the composition of moorhen's spleen using anatomical dissection, histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. The spleen appeared as a brownish red sickle-shaped organ close to the proventriculus and gizzard. The splenic capsule was very thin, and the trabeculae were poorly developed. The white pulp formed of the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath, lymphoid follicles, and periellipsoidal lymphatic sheath. The red pulp composed of sinusoids and cords and contained various types of blood cells. Blood vessels were observed within the splenic capsule and inside the parenchyma. Notably, penicillar capillaries (PCs) appeared branched and surrounded by well-developed ellipsoids. Direct connections were observed between PCs and splenic sinusoids suggesting a closed type of circulation. Ultrastructurally, intercellular spaces and vascular channels were evident in the wall of PCs. Ellipsoid-associated cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, and heterophils were observed within splenic ellipsoids. Ellipsoids were thus suggested as a crucial component of moorhen's spleen. Numerous MafB-immunoreactive (IR) macrophages were seen within the red pulp. Splenic cords contained the highest number of PHH3-IR cells, while CCASP3-IR cells were exclusive to follicles of the white pulp. In conclusion, the structure of moorhen's spleen revealed species-specific features. The findings of the present study could help to improve the immunity of domestic birds.

Tali, Hasan Emre/0000-0002-5239-3155; YILMAZ, AYSUN/0000-0001-6828-2460 WOS:000561212700001 PubMed ID: 32771001 Background Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) can spread across continents via migratory birds. Hence, we investigated the frequency of NDV in both non-migratory and birds migrating on the Black Sea-Mediterranean flyway, in Istanbul, Turkey. Birds were trapped using nets placed around the Kucukcekmece lake Avcilar, Istanbul, in spring seasons of 2016 and 2018. In total, 297 birds belonging to 42 different species were trapped, categorized according to species and sex, and flocked oropharyngeal swabs were collected. In addition, flocked swabs were also collected from 115 mallards caught by hunters around Edirne and from 207 birds which had been treated in the Veterinary Faculty of Istanbul university-Cerrahpasa. Tissue samples were taken from dead wild birds brought by public to Veterinary Faculty. A total of 619 flocked oropharyngeal swabs were pooled into 206 samples. RNA was extracted from swabs and tissue samples. Real-time RT-PCR prob. assay was used to detect NDV-RNA in samples. Results There was no amplification in real time RT-PCR in samples taken from wild birds caught by traps. However, amplification of NDV-F gene was observed in oropharyngeal swabs taken from 2 waterfowls (Common Moorhen and Mallard), and in tissue samples taken from 2 little owls and 1 common kestrel. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of these 5 samples for NDV-F gene showed great similarity with NDV subgenotype VII.2 viruses. Analysis also showed that there is a high similarity with the F gene sequences previously reported from Turkey in 2012 and as well as the sequences from neighbouring countries Bulgaria and Georgia and geographically close country such as Pakistan. Although the strains found in this study are closely related, there is a relatively small degree of molecular divergence within 543 bp of F gene of the Turkish NDV isolate and strains detected in Israel, Pakistan, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Belgium. Conclusions Our findings revealed the presence of subgenotype VII.2 of NDVs in wild birds in north west of Turkey and demonstrated some degree of molecular evolution when compared to the earlier NDV-VII.2 isolate in Turkey. University of Istanbul-Cerrahpasa (BAP-Project) [21489] We would like to thank to the University of Istanbul-Cerrahpasa (BAP-Project No: 21489) for funding this study.

Paradilepis sp. has been poorly reported in fishes of Nigeria. This may be due to sparse distribution or difficulty with its identification. Here, we present a report of the species in Tilapia guineensis from Rumuola borrow pit, Port Harcourt-Nigeria. We also report recovery of the metacestodes from the African Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus meridionalis). Fish species were harvested with fishing nets from the borrow pit and examined for parasites using standard procedures. The proximate composition of fish tissues and water quality assessment were done following standard protocols. Fish specimens were of mean total length, wet body weight and condition factor of 17.3±2.4cm, 109.3±2.4g and 2.0±0.2, respectively. Paradilepis sp. was recovered at a prevalence of 52%, and intensity of 4-90 parasites per infected host. Cysticercoids were detached from the intestinal wall of T. guineensis while metacestodes were recovered from the intestine of G. c. meridionalis. Proximate composition of T. guineensis from Rumuola borrow pit showed the fish had moisture content of 72.2%, crude protein 19.88% and carbohydrate 2.32%. The crude ash, fat and fibre contents were 1.64%, 2.69% and 1.27%, respectively. Results of the water quality analysis showed that heavy metals (Pb [0.05mg/L] and Fe [0.44mg/L]), organic matter (0.41mg/L), and total suspended solids (68.0mg/L) were above the permissible limits of 0.01mg/L, 0.30mg/L, 0.01mg/L and 30mg/L, respectively. It is recommended that piscivorous birds from Port Harcourt be examined for the possible recovery of adult Paradilepis sp. in order to complete its life cycle. The study concluded that residents of Rumuola should desist from indiscriminate disposal of household and other wastes into the borrow pit, and avoid consuming fish harvested from the pit to prevent metal poisoning.

Anthropogenic alterations to landscape structure and composition can have significant impacts on biodiversity, potentially leading to species extinctions. Population‐level impacts of landscape change are mediated by animal behaviors, in particular dispersal behavior. Little is known about the dispersal habits of rails (Rallidae) due to their cryptic behavior and tendency to occupy densely vegetated habitats. The effects of landscape structure on the movement behavior of waterbirds in general are poorly studied due to their reputation for having high dispersal abilities. We used a landscape genetic approach to test hypotheses of landscape effects on dispersal behavior of the Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), an endangered subspecies endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. We created a suite of alternative resistance surfaces representing biologically plausible a priori hypotheses of how gallinules might navigate the landscape matrix and ranked these surfaces by their ability to explain observed patterns in genetic distance among 12 populations on the island of O`ahu. We modeled effective distance among wetland locations on all surfaces using both cumulative least‐cost‐path and resistance‐distance approaches and evaluated relative model performance using Mantel tests, a causal modeling approach, and the mixed‐model maximum‐likelihood population‐effects framework. Across all genetic markers, simulation methods, and model comparison metrics, surfaces that treated linear water features like streams, ditches, and canals as corridors for gallinule movement outperformed all other models. This is the first landscape genetic study on the movement behavior of any waterbird species to our knowledge. Our results indicate that lotic water features, including drainage infrastructure previously thought to be of minimal habitat value, contribute to habitat connectivity in this listed subspecies.

Based on data available so far, it seems that Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) rarely, but regularly lay one or more eggs in the nests of Common Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus). Three such incidents from Hungary are hereby added to the cases known to date. However, Common Moorhens do not only lay eggs in other species’ nests, but also in the nests of conspecifics, while other species may also parasitise the nest of Common Moorhens. The present study summarises these aspects.

When carrying out any reconstruction measures related to the use of natural resources, it is necessary to pay attention to the state of biodiversity, in this case, on waterfowl game birds. Vidsichne Water Reservoir is the main object of water supply to the city of Zhytomyr. Like other reservoirs, this one periodically needs to be cleaned of silting, overgrown, etc. However, a certain structure of the plant and animal world, which needs protection, has formed in this reservoir. Waterfowl game birds accounting was carried out from coastlines and from the boat using the method of a complete list of individuals. The analysis of the number of birds was carried considering the relative rating scale proposed by A. P Kuziakin. The main source of water resources of Vidsichne Water Reservoir is the Teteriv River together with its tributaries – the Gnilopyat River, the Guiva River and others. The catchment area of the reservoir is approximately 1780 km2. The representatives of Goose Birds are characterized by the largest variety amounting to 17 species. We found 5 species among the nesting birds and 10 species of flying birds here. The Scalloped take the second place numbering 4 species, of which all are nesting. The Gruiformes take the third place amounting to 2 species, which are also nesting. And, finally, only 1 species was registered among the Gagaropedic and the Pelican species, which we recorded in the flying period. According to a relative number among waterfowl game birds, rare species predominate amounting to 11, then ordinary species amounting to 8. Only 3 species are numerous. The Pelican species of birds are observed periodically; therefore we refer them to species with an indefinite number. In spring-migration period, there were 15 species, of which Mallard dominates (53.4 %). The Eurasian wigeon takes the second place (6.7 %), then the common pochard and the Eurasian coot are (2.7 2.0 %). In the breeding period, mallard continues to dominate (56.1 %), the Eurasian coot and the common moorhen co-dominate (19.4 % and 10.2 %). Watercourse leakages where the outflow vegetation grows steadily are characterized by the largest variety and number. Such conditions are optimal for nesting birds. The red-necked grebe and the Baikal teal can be singly seen here in the breeding period. In the autumn-migration period, 15 species of waterfowl birds were identified. Mallard (48.0 %) continues to dominate, however, unlike the breeding period, the common pochard and the Eurasian wigeon (6.9 %) co-dominate. On the flights, the northern pintail, the little grebe, the Baikal teal, the black-throated loon, and other species appear. To conclude, Vidsichne Water Reservoir is considered to be promising for waterfowl game bird hunting. However, it is important to carry out a set of biotechnical measures outlined in the work.

Vital rates describe the demographic traits of organisms and are an essential resource for wildlife managers to assess local resource conditions and to set objectives for and evaluate management actions. Endangered waterbirds on the Hawaiian Islands have been managed intensively at state and federal refuges since the 1970s, but with little quantitative research on their life history. Information on the vital rates of these taxa is needed to assess the efficacy of different management strategies and to target parts of the life cycle that may be limiting their recovery. Here, we present the most comprehensive data to date on the vital rates (reproduction and survival) of the Hawaiian gallinule Gallinula galeata sandvicensis, a behaviorally cryptic, endangered subspecies of wetland bird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands that is now found only on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu. We review unpublished reproduction data for 252 nests observed between 1979 and 2014 and assess a database of 1,620 sightings of 423 individually color-banded birds between 2004 and 2017. From the resighting data, we estimated annual apparent survival at two managed wetlands on O‘ahu using Cormack–Jolly–Seber models in program MARK. We found that Hawaiian gallinules have smaller mean clutch sizes than do other species in the genus Gallinula and that clutch sizes on Kaua‘i are larger than those on O‘ahu. The longest-lived bird in our dataset was recovered dead at age 7 y and 8 mo, and the youngest confirmed age at first breeding was 1 y and 11 mo. In 4 y of monitoring 14 wetland sites, we confirmed three interwetland movements on O‘ahu. In our pooled dataset, we found no statistically significant differences between managed and unmanaged wetlands in clutch size or reproductive success, but we acknowledge that there were limited data from unmanaged wetlands. Our best supported survival models estimated an overall annual apparent survival of 0.663 (95% CI = 0.572–0.759); detection varied across wetlands and study years. First-year survival is a key missing component in our understanding of the demography of Hawaiian gallinules. These data provide the foundation for quantitative management and assessment of extinction risk of this endangered subspecies.

Background The anatomical information about the structure of the choana is lacking in literature, and its role in the olfactory and feeding mechanism is still unknown Results The present study discusses the adaptation of choana to cranial kinesis during feeding process in different bird species: kestrel, common moorhen, and hoopoe. Kestrel possesses a kinetic skull while the hoopoe and common moorhen have kinetic one; however, the common moorhen skull seems highly kinetic more than that of the hoopoe that properly effect on the choanal epithelium. The choana of kestrel and hoopoe are lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, while choana of common moorhen have transitional epithelium beside pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The choana epithelium of each bird species provides with simple alveolar glands and numerous goblet cells. In kestrel and hoopoe, the secretion products of choanal glands contain neutral and sulfated mucin, while in the common moorhen, these glands secret neutral and carboxylate mucopolysaccharides. Conclusion The choana of the three studied bird species apparents adaptation to the olfaction process but also affects the movement of skeletal elements of the skull during the feeding process

We investigated the relationships between the breeding success of the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and its breeding time, nest size, and egg size in a man-made wetland (Ab-bandan) during the 2008 breeding season in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. For each nest, the date of the first laid egg, the first hatching, and the first fledgling was recorded as well as the clutch size. Nest characteristics (height, depth, diameter, and water level underneath) and egg characteristics (shape index and weight) were measured. The first egg was laid on June 15 and the last chick left the nest on August 30. From 251 eggs in 27 nests, 229 eggs hatched (91.2%) and 204 chicks left the nest (Mean breeding success = 81.3%). A GLM revealed that egg weight negatively affected breeding success (P = 0.024) meaning heavier eggs were less likely to produce fledglings. The specific underlying physiological mechanisms require further investigation.

We studied the response of Water Rails (Rallus aquaticus) to conspecific and heterospecific playback to reveal any variation in reaction to playbacks of rail and crake and if and how these reactions change in intensity. Ten observation points, 100 m from each other within a reedbed, were selected. We made our observations three times a day over three days in three sessions (Apr, Jun, and Sept). We quantified the response of Water Rails to the playback of conspecifics and the heterospecifics: Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), Corn Crake (Crex crex), Little Crake (Porzana parva), Spotted Crake (P. porzana), and Baillon's Crake (P. pusilla), in terms of phenological periods. We found that there is a difference in aggressive reaction between conspecific and heterospecific playbacks across all sessions and also within each session. The aggressive reaction decreases significantly in the direction (Water Rail = Common Moorhen) > (Corn Crake = Little Crake = Spotted Crake) > (Baillon's Crake), during...

Marsh habitats have declined in quantity and quality in Florida, but little quantitative information exists on the population status of avian species residing in these habitats. We estimated the occurrence and density of secretive marsh birds in fresh- and saltwater marshes across Florida during 2011–2012. We detected 11 species; Rallus longirostris (Clapper Rail) and Gallinule chloropus (Common Moorhen) were the most frequently detected species. Occupancy rates at freshwater sites ranged from 19 to 64%, with Common Moorhen the most frequently detected species. Rates at estuarine sites ranged from 2 to 92%, with Clapper Rail the most frequently detected species. Only the Clapper Rail and Common Moorhen had density estimates ≥1.50 birds/ha; densities varied from 0.06 to 2.20 birds/ha in freshwater marshes and from 0.05 to 2.10 birds/ha in salt marshes. These data improve knowledge of secretive marsh-bird distributions in Florida.

The present study represents a comparison between the morphology of the roof of the buccal cavity in two bird species; the common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus and the hoopoe, Upupa epops. The palate region of the common moorhen has a well-developed medial and two lateral ridges and carrying backwardly directed papillae. The palate region of the common moorhen is lined by keratinized stratified epithelium. While, the palate region of the hoopoe, has shallow medial and two lateral ridges which lack the palatine papillae on their surface. The lining epithelium of the palate region of the hoopoe is covered by a thin keratin layer that disappears posteriorly to become non-keratinized epithelium which carried tiny scattered papillae on its surface. Posteriorly, the pharyngeal region in both bird species is lined by non-keratinized epithelium.

Five species in five genera of extinct endemic rails have been described from the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues: the Mauritian Red Rail or Poule Rouge Aphanapteryx bonasia ; Mascarene Coot or Poule d’eau Fulica newtonii ; which occurred on Mauritius and Reunion; Reunion Wood Rail Dryolimnas augusti ; Reunion Gallinule or Oiseaux bleu ‘ Porphyrio caerulescens ’; and Rodrigues or Leguat’s Rail Erythromachus leguati . All are known from fossil remains and/or from contemporary accounts and illustrations. A sixth species of rail Dryolimnas sp. nov. is described herein from fossils from Mauritius, but was not unequivocally previously reported in the contemporary literature. This paper provides an analysis of the Rallidae of the Mascarene Islands based on existing and newly discovered fossil remains, and details historical reports and accounts. Comprehensive osteological descriptions and synonymies are also included. Their ecology and extinction chronologies are interpreted from historical ev­idence. The relationships of Aphanapteryx and Erythromachus are unresolved, having clearly been isolated for a considerable time; the middle Miocene is the earliest their ancestors could have arrived on the Mascarenes, but this may have happened more recently. Mascarene derivatives of Fulica , Porphyrio and Dryolimnas are of much more recent origin, and appear to have originated in Africa or Madagascar. All terrestrial rails on Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues, were probable victims of cat predation following their historic introduction to the islands, whereas over-hunting by humans was probably the primary cause of extinction of ‘ Porphyrio caerulescens ’ on Reunion. The only extant rail on the Mascarenes today, the Madagascar race of Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus pyrrhorrhoa , is a recent arrival, having colonised Mauritius and Reunion after the extinction of Fulica newtonii .

Fish is an important source of food and income for many poor households in Egypt. Populations of fish-eating birds like Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), Great Black-headed Gull (Larus ichthyaetus), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Common Moorhen, (Gallinula chloropus), Common Coot (Fulica atra), and even ducks and geese have increased dramatically and caused substantial economic impacts to aquaculture production.