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Animal tolerance towards humans can be a key factor facilitating wildlife-human coexistence, yet traits predicting its direction and magnitude across tropical animals are poorly known. Using 10,249 observations for 842 bird species inhabiting open tropical ecosystems in Africa, South America, and Australia, we find that avian tolerance towards humans was lower (i.e., escape distance was longer) in rural rather than urban populations and in populations exposed to lower human disturbance (measured as human footprint index). In addition, larger species and species with larger clutches and enhanced flight ability are less tolerant to human approaches and escape distances increase when birds were approached during the wet season compared to the dry season and from longer starting distances. Identification of key factors affecting animal tolerance towards humans across large spatial and taxonomic scales may help us to better understand and predict the patterns of species distributions in the Anthropocene.

Simple Summary: This study deals with the role of predator pressure on group formation in the Helmeted Guineafowl, a large sub-Saharan highly social galliform. We focused on a population from South Africa exposed to the frequent chase of both aerial and terrestrial predators, namely, eagles and jackals, recording prey and predator behaviour along with the outcome of predatory encounters. While all attacks were directed to prey aggregates rather than lone individuals, a tendency for chasing groups of a larger size seemingly emerged in jackals. However, unlike aerial predators, these do not seem to induce high fear in guineafowl, eliciting hardly predictable anti-predator responses. This arguably suggests that these galliforms perceive eagles and jackals differently despite the comparable hunting success. While the high predator-induced fear points to a well-established predator–prey system in the case of aerial predators, jackals, mostly carrion eaters, are perceived as a minor threat accounting for the failure in eliciting a well-defined defensive behaviour. Little is known about landbird group dynamics in response to predation. Here, we describe the interactions between the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) and its predators regarding the survival advantages grouping behaviour may provide. Livestream webcam observations were conducted in Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa) from August 2020 to August 2021. Emphasis was placed on predator–prey interaction and its effect on group size and structure in a spatial framework. We hypothesise that while grouping is crucial for a number of daily activities in this highly social species, it might turn into a higher predatory pressure. We found, indeed, that the probability of attacks by black-backed jackals (Lupulella mesomelas) significantly increased with guineafowl group size, unlike what happened with raptors. Moreover, when attacked by jackals, the birds responded by standing close to each other. These results suggest, in line with the proposed hypothesis, that a trade-off occurs between the defensive function of grouping in this galliform and the probability of jackal attack that increases as a function of prey group size. Nevertheless, we argue that Helmeted Guineafowl cooperative social groups also play a role as a defensive strategy against predators, with the many-eyes and dilution effects likely compensating for the higher predatory pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserved remnants of indigenous vegetation patches and corridors are regarded as important components of the built environment for the survival of birds. Field research was conducted at Boknes and Cannon Rocks in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to study habitat use, movement, and dispersal of two Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer subpopulations during 2004–2007. Surveys included trapping, marking, releasing, and censusing spurfowl by traversing the study area on a regular basis, as well as fixed point observations. The density of Red-necked Spurfowl varied from 0.66–1 spurfowl ha−1. The sex ratio for female to male was 1:1.28. The average home range for adult males was 6.3 ha. The results suggest that supplementary feeding does not change the population structure or dispersion, nor does it improve productivity or density. The most determining factor influencing spurfowl populations was the presence of indigenous vegetation patches and continuous corridors of coastal vegetation allowing populational interchange and outright dispersal. Conservation measures are suggested to promote the survival of Red-necked Spurfowl in coastal town biotopes. This includes the removal of free ranging chickens Gallus gallus domesticus, which could harbour contagious disease, reduced use of hazardous substances, such as insecticides and herbicides in gardens, and the conservation of well-positioned green patches and corridors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of diel and seasonal variation in vocal interactions of Crested Francolin Ortygornis sephaena territorial males helps clarify its purpose, thus delivering insights into the behavioural ecology of this species. The goals of the present paper are to describe the vocal footprint of neighbouring Crested Francolin territorial males and understand the purpose of collective calls. We logged remotely into a HD webcam with microphone located in Tembe Elephant National Park (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) to listen to male vocal exchanges from August 2018 to November 2019. Territorial call exchanges among three neighbouring males at dusk took place at the onset of, but not during, the breeding season and then again during the non-breeding season. In the latter case vocalisations were emitted even beyond dusk time. Call duration and intensity (calls per minute) did not increase at the onset of the breeding season. Males exchanged calls in a leader-follower manner seemingly unrelated to female attraction and guarding. On the contrary, this cordial collective calling is likely a form of cooperation to detect vocal responses by interlopers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the relationship between Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris and invasive alien trees on livestock and maize farms south-east of Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa. The dependence of the birds on alien trees affects strategies for the removal of these trees. During June to December 2014, Helmeted Guineafowl were recorded weekly on maps along a 42 km transect. Since Helmeted Guineafowl live in cohesive social groups of 15-20 birds, they roost communally in one or two trees during winter rather than spreading across an entire tree grove. The distribution of alien trees across the landscape in patches has enabled Helmeted Guineafowl flocks to reach new feeding patches near to roosting trees, as old feeding patches are depleted. One Helmeted Guineafowl flock of 15-20 birds requires ∼0.09 ha covered with mature alien trees for roosting. Suggestions are presented relating to the reduction of alien trees in compliance with the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 and conservation of Helmeted Guineafowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-five Crested Francolins, Dendroperdix sephaena sephaena, were trapped, marked, retrapped and observed from 1984 to 1988 to assess and describe gender and age criteria based on morphological measurements and plumage characteristics on the farm La Boheme (Rustenburg, North West province, South Africa). The measurements and characteristics were compared with skin specimens of the other recognied subspecies endemic to Africa, namely D. s. zambesiae, D. s. grantii, D. s. spilogaster and D. s. rovuma. Selected biometric parameters of specimens were measured at the Ditsong Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History in 2014. The purpose of this study was to describe age categories (excluding chicks) with corresponding gender characteristics based on morphology and plumage features. This study revealed six definitive age/gender categories. A combination of spur length (or absence of long spurs in the case of females) and feather colouration patterns on the back, tail coverts, wing coverts and mantle are reliable indicators of different gender/age categories in all D. sephaena subspecies in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transect field observations were conducted on the behaviour of Crested FrancolinDendroperdix sephaenato describe male coalitions in the Borakalalo National Park, North West province, South Africa during May, August, October and December 2008, and again in July 2009. Crested Francolin form male coalitions following the breeding season in May. Young males leave their natal coveys and join old males in these coalitions, which are not based on kinship and consist of up to nine members. These coalitions are joined by a young female from June to October, followed by the breeding season when pairs replace coalitions. The coalition is a prelude to successful mating. The single female calls in the coalition, which triggers a cacophony, and her presence often erupts in physical conflicts between males. This cacophony is interpreted as signal jamming where males prevent one another from forming a duet with the female, clearly showing competition between them for winning over the female for mating. A well-synchronised duet forms the basis of pair formation. Old females are not particularly selected for pairing. The coalition is also a surrogate covey for young males because it optimises predator surveillance. The pair bond also optimises predator surveillance for each other throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article focuses on the composition of conductor David Lang titled "The Little Match Girl Passion." Topics include how Lang combines the story of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and the fairytale "The Little Match Girl," by Hans Christian Andersen, the use of the composition in professional choirs, university, and community groups, and how critics recognize the originality of the song like American choral composer Joshua Shank, Jayson Green, and Molly Sheridan.

This article describes flocking behaviour and dispersion of Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris,on and aroundmaize fields during the crop-sowing period (November-December), reflects diet analyses and estimates seed loss. A field transect survey (80 km) was conducted throughmaize farms in the Heidelberg, Vaaldamarea (Gauteng province) and the Balfour area (Mpumalanga province) in South Africa during 2013 to countGuineafowl.Maize, Zeamays, seed loss ascribed to Guineafowl was estimated to be <0.12% of the total harvest. This lowimpact is probably due to the lowdensity ofGuineafowl because of breeding territories required by pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of the study were to describe the vocal repertoire of the Red-crested Korhaan, (Lophotis ruficrista) and the nature and intensity of male call rivalry during the breeding season. Many hours of field sound data were recorded and behavioural observations were recorded in the field. During the breeding season two or three adult male Red-crested Korhaans group together in close proximity to one another at established sites (~2.4 ha), calling simultaneously and continuously, while performing aerial displays. The Red-crested Korhaan's repertoire consists of three basic calls. One of these, the peep call, was often uttered in four identifiable variations. The main function of these peep calls is to facilitate courtship and hence reproduction. The peeping call of males overlap to mask one another's calls. Alternate calling, and variations of the peep call, suggest that females are attracted to males that group together. Females respond to male peep calls at the start of the breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]