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Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Many bird species in the Galapagos Islands are killed on the roads by cars that transport citizens and tourists to their daily activities. This study reports the number of wild bird species killed near roads in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2018 and uses a statistical analysis (PRIDIT) to rank the main intrinsic (avian) and extrinsic (environmental) predictors of mortality. About 250 birds (21 species) were found dead each year on the road. Our results show that for all studied years, small-endemic birds are especially at risk of roadkill during hot days on the main road of Santa Cruz. The Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia aureola is the most affected species, particularly during the hot season. On the other hand, owls are a bigger species than the Yellow Warbler and, therefore, are less affected. However, the impacts of vehicle strikes are important to follow up on because owls are endangered. Although controlling the factors affecting bird mortality is complex, our results can inform management actions to mitigate avian mortality resulting from collisions with vehicles and other human activities. In the Galapagos Islands, the main road in Santa Cruz is one of the elements involved in bird road mortality along with vehicles and the impacted species. This study reports the number of roadkilled birds found on the road from the Itabaca Channel to Puerto Ayora, and the main factors, whether avian or environmental, involved in bird roadkill mortality. We collected individual carcasses in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2018 with a prevalence of 278, 252, 265, and 294, respectively, across 21 species. The endemic Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia aureola was the most affected bird. We used a PRIDIT model to rank the top avian and environmental predictors of road mortality. We found that for the sampled years, bird body size (i.e., 8–35 g) and the endemism status (i.e., endemic/native) were the main predictors of roadkill mortality, along with seasonality (i.e., hot season). Weaker predictors related to the bird (i.e., age and sex) and the environment (ecosystem, road slope, vegetation, or precipitation) are also reported as determinants of roadkill mortality. This study on avian mortality aims to inform conservation strategies to reduce the rate of wildlife avian roadkill on Santa Cruz Island and other islands with similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Galapagos Islands, the main road in Santa Cruz is one of the elements involved in bird road mortality along with vehicles and the impacted species. This study reports the number of roadkilled birds found on the road from the Itabaca Channel to Puerto Ayora, and the main factors, whether avian or environmental, involved in bird roadkill mortality. We collected individual carcasses in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2018 with a prevalence of 278, 252, 265, and 294, respectively, across 21 species. The endemic Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia aureola was the most affected bird. We used a PRIDIT model to rank the top avian and environmental predictors of road mortality. We found that for the sampled years, bird body size (i.e., 8–35 g) and the endemism status (i.e., endemic/native) were the main predictors of roadkill mortality, along with seasonality (i.e., hot season). Weaker predictors related to the bird (i.e., age and sex) and the environment (ecosystem, road slope, vegetation, or precipitation) are also reported as determinants of roadkill mortality. This study on avian mortality aims to inform conservation strategies to reduce the rate of wildlife avian roadkill on Santa Cruz Island and other islands with similar problems.

Ecosystem services (ESs) valuation is important for advancing biodiversity objectives and investing in green infrastructure (GI) establishment. Little is known about the potential of health clinic gardens (HCGs) to provide ESs and their potential values. This study sought to determine the plant and bird species composition and potential value of ESs provided by 32 HCGs in two South African district municipalities. HCG sizes range from 513.0m2 to 13531.0m2 and each had at least one micro-garden. Among the 312 plant species observed across all HCGs, 60% were exotic. The small HCGs had 31 ± 3.6 different plant species per garden, compared to the medium-sized (32 ± 3.7) and large ones (49 ± 5.2). Provisioning ESs from the observed species were prominent with 17.4 ± 1.16 species potentially used for general well-being, 13.66 ± 1.08 as potential food plants, and 11.91 ± 0.93 potentially raw materials. Trees in HCGs were estimated to sequester up to 163481.87 kg of carbon from trees covering an area of up to 9620.80m2. Approximately 1390.70 ± 427.50m2 of HCG space had the potential to provide a habitat for plants and birds, and 11 bird species were observed across all HCGs. Sixty-three bird nests encountered in 18 HCGs are believed to belong to the Passer domesticus. HCGs resemble other types of gardens like home and domestic gardens, and their rich plant biodiversity positions them as ideal ecosystems to benefit even the most vulnerable members of society. They provide an opportune platform for knowledge upscaling in the cultivation and use of plant species as a supplement of primary healthcare and food security issues in the summer months to the rural, urban, and peri-urban poor in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Saman Wetland Complex is formed by five major wetlands present in Etawah and Mainpuri districts of Uttar Pradesh. The habitat is majorly a wetland system with scrub vegetation along the edges and surrounded by agricultural fields; attracting a diverse group of bird species. These wetlands are an ideal habitat for Sarus Crane and are also Important Bird Areas. In the past two decades, the anthropogenic activities have deteriorated the habitat and wetlands no longer support the earlier congregation of birds. The study conducted during 2020-2021 provides baseline information on the present status of the Saman wetland complex, waterbird diversity, threats faced by the wetlands & waterbirds, and suggests future management/conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation holds significant merit due to its execution within a region characterized by depauperate avifaunal assemblages in the Western Desert of Egypt. Notably, the study highlights the presence of wild bird populations within petroleum industry worker camps situated in the Marsa Matrouh Governorate. The results show that the bird community recorded in the study area was rich in bird species and numerous (8425 individuals), these birds belonged to 16 species, grouped in 16 families and 6 orders. The dominant bird species were western yellow wagtail, house sparrow, rock pigeon, hooded crow, red-backed shrike and Eurasian collared dove. The highest number of bird species was recorded during autumn and then winter season according to the existence of migratory bird species, while the lowest was recorded during spring due to the return of migratory species and bird dispersal for nesting. The bird's members for the order Passeriformes were the most existence than other different orders according to its global distribution, followed by the order Columbiformes in the second rank, then Pterocliformes, Ciconiiformes, Bucerotiformes and finally Falconiformes. Autumn season led the other seasons with its highest value for bird richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index, followed by winter for species richness and spring for Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Spring recorded the lowest value of species richness and summer recorded the lowest value for both Shannon-Wiener diversity index & species evenness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii is a single-cell parasite capable of infecting almost all homeotherms posing a grave public health risk globally. There is limited available literature on the T. gondii strains circulating in bird species in the Plateau State, of Nigeria. Consequently, this study was carried out to identify and confirm T. gondii infection and also determine the relationship of the DNA sequences with those of bird species in other parts of the world. To achieve this, brain and heart tissues of 25 bird species were sampled and a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and sequence analyses of the B1 gene were carried out. The DNA of T. gondii was identified in the heart and brain tissues of 7/7 (100.0 %) of wild bird species, and 15/18 (83.3 %) of domestic local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) sampled. The evolutionary relationship among the T. gondii sequences in this study using phylogenetic tree constructed by maximum likelihood method showed the sequences shared a common ancestor with the Type I RH strain (GenBank: AF179871). The T. gondii sequences were in a cluster distinct from other sequences in the GenBank. Calculations of genetic differentiation and genetic diversity indices undertaken and collated revealed three haplotypes with higher haplotype diversity within the T. gondii sequences obtained from wild birds (0.667) compared with the sequences from local chickens (0.333). A 97–100 % homology among the aligned sequences of T. gondii in the study shows that only one strain type exists in all of the samples. This study has established the occurrence of T. gondii infection in asymptomatic bird species in the study area and portrays them as carriers, and potential sources of human infection.

This research investigation focused on exploring the diversity of bird species concerning indigenous tree species within the Urhonigbe Forest Reserve in Edo State, Nigeria, to promote sustainable tourism development. The primary objective of the study was to ascertain the correlation between bird community composition, species richness, evenness, diversity, and the presence of indigenous trees, thereby contributing to sustainable tourism efforts. The research was conducted within the Urhonigbe forest reserve, situated between longitudes 6°05'38" and 6°06'45"E, and latitudes 5°57'59" and 5°59'31"N, within Edo State. The study area was divided into two distinct parts: secondary forest and undisturbed forest compartments. The secondary forest area underwent enrichment with exotic timber trees. Data collection took place during two seasons of the year, namely the wet and dry seasons, spanning from January to March and June to September 2023. The diversity and abundance of bird species on six selected indigenous trees in the study area were assessed using the point count method. A total of 24 point counts were established, with 12 in each compartment. The chosen trees included Albizia zygia, Dialium guineense, Ficus exasperata, Spondias mombin, Vitex donania, and Parkia biglobosa. The findings revealed a diversity index of ninety-five (95) and an abundance of two hundred and seventy-two (272) bird species recorded. Among these, the order Passeriformes exhibited the highest bird species diversity, with values of 14.83 and 12.25 recorded in the two compartments. Notably, the fruit trees Ficus exasperata displayed the highest bird species diversity at 14.83, followed by Dialium guineense at 11.6, respectively. Additionally, the analysis of feeding guilds indicated that frugivores, omnivores, and insectivores displayed the highest bird species diversity in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichomonas gallinae is a globally distributed protozoan parasite that causes avian trichomoniasis, leading to significant morbidity and mortality in birds. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationship of T. gallinae in various bird species in Beijing. A total of 413 oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from domestic pigeons, wild pigeons, and other bird species. The overall prevalence of T. gallinae infection was 32.0% (132/413). The infection was detected in domestic pigeons, wild pigeons, and red-necked turtledoves, but not in other wild birds. Molecular analysis identified two predominant genotypes, A and B, with genotype A found in wild pigeons and genotype B found in domestic pigeons. The present study provides valuable insights on the prevalence and genetic diversity of T. gallinae in Beijing. This can be useful for understanding its pathogen distribution and host range, and the development of strategies for the prevention and control of avian trichomoniasis.

This study investigated the avifauna within the mangrove forests along the Epe Lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria, with a focus on promoting sustainable tourism. Its primary objective was to establish a foundational knowledge base for future research endeavors and to aid in the development of conservation strategies aimed at safeguarding bird diversity. The research site was divided into three zones: undisturbed forest, secondary forest, and wetland areas. Bird species diversity was assessed using the line transect method, with a total of 30 transect lines randomly distributed across the study area, with 10 in each zone. These lines were surveyed three times a week over three months, encompassing both wet (May, July, and September) and dry (November, January, and March) seasons in 2023. Surveys were conducted from 6:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., during which all birds observed on the ground, in vegetation, or flight were identified and counted. The findings revealed a total of 198 bird species belonging to 44 families and 18 orders, with an abundance of 481 individual birds recorded in the study area, highlighting its significance in supporting bird species diversity. Analysis of the family composition of bird species identified Pycnonotidae as the most abundant with 13 species, followed by Muscicapidae and Accipitridae, each with 12 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tianmu Lake is an important habitat for birds in the largely hilly area of Liyang city, Jiangsu Province, in southeast China. To better conserve its diverse and species-rich avian fauna, the Tianmu Lake National Wetland Park was established in 2018. Since taxonomic information about the Park's bird fauna was limited, we conducted field surveys of the site and recorded 199 bird species belonging to 17 orders in 52 families in the Park's wetlands. Anatidae are the most species-rich family present, with 23 species represented. According to IUCN criteria, 6 of the species - the Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes), swan goose (Anser cygnoides), white-naped crane (Grus vipio), band-bellied crake (Porzana paykullii), Saunders's gull (Larus saundersi), and yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola) - are classified as endangered, and 29 species are listed in CITES Appendix II. Current knowledge suggests that human activities and the invasion of non-native species have severely threatened the biodiversity of the Park's birds. To protect avifaunal diversity, we recommend some specific measures that should be adopted and enforced. We hope that this study will provide useful information for bird conservation in the hilly areas of southeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Using eBird citizen science data, researchers identified power law patterns in bird abundance rankings. This study examines the concept of "granular size" related to these patterns, and determined 13 specific species to be the granular size. The granular size of the bird rank abundance distribution might have something to do with the number of species, which, like big businesses in an economy, have a disproportionately big effect on their environment. However, keep in mind that these species may be considered special simply because they were all discovered in cities. In previous studies using eBird citizen data, bird abundance rankings followed a power law distribution. Our research delves into the "granular size" concept within these power laws, likening birds to firms. We identified 13 bird species as being the granular size, representing species with significant ecosystem impact, akin to major corporations in an economy. In particular, these species are urban, raising concerns about the eBird database's sampling bias. Using the economic concept of granular size, we argue that the eBird database may be inherently unreliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the use of vertical stratification of mangrove vegetation by bird species in the mangrove ecosystem of Nusa Lembongan. The study was conducted at seven mangrove ecosystem sites, in April-July 2021. Observation of the number of birds in each vegetation strata was carried out using the point count method. The association of the use of vegetation strata by bird species was carried out by Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) statistical test. The results showed that total of 32 species are found in the mangrove ecosystem of Nusa Lembongan which belong to 26 families. There is a strong association between bird species and the vertical strata of vegetation. The species of birds associated with pure mangrove vegetation are; strata I, namely Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant,1769), Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766, Sterna bergii M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1823, Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Pycnonotus aurigaster (Vieillot, 1818); strata II are Todiramphus chloris (Boddaert,1783), Todirhamphus sanctus (Vigors and Horsfield,1827), Alcedo coerulescens Vieillot,1818 and Butorides striata (Linnaeus,1758); strata III are Hypothymis azurea (Boddaert, 1783), Lanius schach Linnaeus,1758, Merops philippinus Linnaeus,1767, Nectarinia jugularis Linnaeus,1766 and Gerygone sulphurea Wallace, 1864; strata IV are Collocalia linchi Horsfield & F.Moore,1854, Oriolus chinensis Linnaeus, 1766, Hirundo tahitica Gmelin,1789 and Pycnonotus goiaver (Scopoli, 1786). The bird species associated with mixed mangrove and dryland vegetation are strata I, namely species Turnix suscitator (J.F.Gmelin,1789), Acridotheres javanicus Cabanis,1851, Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli, 1786), Passer domesticus (Linnaeus,1758), Pycnonotus aurigaster (Vieillot,1818), Spilopelia chinensis (Scopoli,1786)and Geopelia striata (Linnaeus,1766); strata II, namely Alcedo coerulescens Vieillot,1818, Zosterops chloris Bonaparte, 1850, Todirhamphus sanctus (Vigors and Horsfield,1827) and Todiramphus chloris (Boddaert,1783); strata III, namely Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli,1786), Cacomantis merulinus (Scopoli,1786), Hypothymis azurea (Boddaert,1783), Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus,1758), Nectarinia jugularis Linnaeus, 1766, Gerygone sulphurea Wallace,1864 and Merops philippinus Linnaeus, 1767; strata IV, namely Collocalia linchi Horsfield & F.Moore,1854, Hirundo tahitica Gmelin,1789 and Corvus sp. Factors influencing strata preference by birds are resources, both food and space, as well as the bioecological characteristics of the birds themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current ecological crisis has risen extinction rates to similar levels of ancient mass extinctions. However, it seems to not be acting uniformly across all species but affecting species differentially. This suggests that species' susceptibility to the extinction process is mediated by specific traits. Since understanding this response mechanism at large scales will benefit conservation effort around the world, we used the IUCN global threat status and population trends of 8281 extant bird species as proxies of the extinction risk to identify the species-specific traits affecting their susceptibility to extinction within the biogeographic regions and at the global scale. Using linear mixed effect models and multinomial models, we related the global threat status and the population trends with the following traits: migratory strategy, habitat and diet specialization, body size, and generation length. According to our results and independently of the proxy used, more vulnerable species are sedentary and have larger body size, longer generation time, and higher degree of habitat specialization. These relationships apply globally and show little variation across biogeographic regions. We suggest that such concordant patterns might be caused either by a widespread occurrence of the same threats such as habitat modification or by a uniform capacity of some traits to reflect the impact of different local threats. Regardless of the cause of this pattern, our study identified the traits that affect species' response capability to the current ecological crisis. Conservation effort should focus on the species with trait values indicating the limited response capacity to overcome this crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous studies using eBird citizen data, bird abundance rankings followed a power law distribution. Our research delves into the “granular size” concept within these power laws, likening birds to firms. We identified 13 bird species as being the granular size, representing species with significant ecosystem impact, akin to major corporations in an economy. In particular, these species are urban, raising concerns about the eBird database’s sampling bias. Using the economic concept of granular size, we argue that the eBird database may be inherently unreliable.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS) can infect many bird species. Susceptible species of birds are responsible for spillover infections from poultry to wild birds. In Malaysia, previous studies reported the detection of MG in free-flying birds, but there is a lack of information on the characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of these isolates. Therefore, this study aims to molecular characterize and assess the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MG and MS isolated from different bird species, including aviary, free-flying, and pet birds. Altogether 54 choanal slit swab samples were collected. All the swab samples were subjected to isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. Positive samples were subjected to molecular characterization and MIC assay. Molecular characterization was done using targeted gene sequencing, and microdilution MIC assay was employed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates. Using both culture and PCR techniques, 5.6% (3/54) of the samples were positive for MG, while MS was detected in 29.6% (16/54) and 40.7% (22/54) of samples using culture and PCR, respectively. The partial sequence of the mgc2 gene showed a distinct pattern of this gene in one of the MG isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of this isolate indicated that this isolate is a progeny of a Thailand poultry strain. Microdilution MIC assay indicated 100% resistance to erythromycin and chlortetracycline. The findings of this study indicate the possibility of avian interspecies transmission of MG and MS in Malaysia and the need for antimicrobial treatment dosage optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2018—2022 bird resource survey in Jilin Province, five species of European robin (Erithacus rubecula； 43°52′34.76″ N,125°21′52.74″ E), azure tit (Cyanistes cyanus； 43°52′33.61″ N, 125°21′53.08″ E； 43°49′18.99″ N,125°21′19.65″ E), black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla； 43°48′44.02″ N, 125°20′56.08″ E), intermediate egret (Ardea intermedia； 43°57′46.09″ N,125°22′5.71″ E) and red-crested pochard (Netta rufina； 43°58′2.72″ N,125°22′4.42″ E； 43°48′27.18″ N,125°20′49.41″ E) were recorded and photographed. It was confirmed as new distribution records in Jilin Province after reviewing the relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few bird species are abundant. Understanding the abundance distribution of bird species is critical for conservation efforts because rare species may be more vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change, and other threats. According to new data, a log left-skewed distribution, rather than a lognormal distribution, better adjusts to the abundance distribution of bird species. We look at the rank abundance distribution rather than the species abundance distribution that use the same data and find three power laws: for the top four species; for the abundant species minus the top four; and for the rare species.

Abstract Wetlands are significant habitats for bird populations, and knowledge of the diversity and other ecological aspects of bird species contribute to the management of the ecosystem. The present study was based on comparative studies of the diversity and relative abundance of bird species in the two wetlands of southwest Ethiopia. The point count method was utilized in this study. For the data analysis, the Shannon–Weaver diversity index, independent sample t-test, and similarity index were employed. A total of 36 bird species under 11 orders and 24 families were identified. The species diversity and relative abundance were higher in both wetlands during the wet season. The Loga wetland had the higher diversity (H’ = 3.089), whereas the lowest species diversity (H’ = 2.643) was recorded in the wetland of Hurri. During the dry season, the Loga wetland (H’ = 2.738) and the Hurri habitat (H’ = 2.283) had higher and lower diversity, respectively. Seasonal variations in bird species diversity are not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Although the two wetlands support several water birds, they have received no conservation attention from concerned bodies. Further follow-up studies over a long period will help determine species-specific conservation measures for wetland-dependent birds.

This study aims to determine the use of vertical stratification of mangrove vegetation by bird species in the mangrove ecosystem of Nusa Lembongan. The study was conducted at seven mangrove ecosystem sites, in April-July 2021. Observation of the number of birds in each vegetation strata was carried out using the point count method. The association of the use of vegetation strata by bird species was carried out by Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) statistical test. The results showed that total of 32 species are found in the mangrove ecosystem of Nusa Lembongan which belong to 26 families. There is a strong association between bird species and the vertical strata of vegetation. The species of birds associated with pure mangrove vegetation are; strata I, namely Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant,1769), Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766, Sterna bergii M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1823, Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Pycnonotus aurigaster (Vieillot, 1818); strata II are Todiramphus chloris (Boddaert, 1783), Todirhamphus sanctus (Vigors and Horsfield, 1827), Alcedo coerulescens Vieillot, 1818 and Butorides striata (Linnaeus, 1758); strata III are Hypothymis azurea (Boddaert, 1783), Lanius schach Linnaeus, 1758, Merops philippinus Linnaeus, 1767, Nectarinia jugularis Linnaeus, 1766 and Gerygone sulphurea Wallace, 1864; strata IV are Collocalia linchi Horsfield & F.Moore,1854, Oriolus chinensis Linnaeus, 1766, Hirundo tahitica Gmelin,1789 and Pycnonotus goiaver (Scopoli, 1786). The bird species associated with mixed mangrove and dryland vegetation are strata I, namely species Turnix suscitator (J.F.Gmelin, 1789), Acridotheres javanicus Cabanis, 1851, Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli, 1786), Passer domesticus (Linnaeus,1758), Pycnonotus aurigaster (Vieillot, 1818), Spilopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1786) and Geopelia striata (Linnaeus, 1766); strata II, namely Alcedo coerulescens Vieillot, 1818, Zosterops chloris Bonaparte, 1850, Todirhamphus sanctus (Vigors and Horsfield,1827) and Todiramphus chloris (Boddaert, 1783); strata III, namely Anthreptes malacensis (Scopoli,1786), Cacomantis merulinus (Scopoli,1786), Hypothymis azurea (Boddaert,1783), Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus,1758), Nectarinia jugularis Linnaeus, 1766, Gerygone sulphurea Wallace, 1864 and Merops philippinus Linnaeus,1767; strata IV, namely Collocalia linchi Horsfield & F.Moore,1854, Hirundo tahitica Gmelin,1789 and Corvus sp. Factors influencing strata preference by birds are resources, both food and space, as well as the bioecological characteristics of the birds themselves.

Simple Summary: Knowledge about species has been surveyed many times in research in the past. To our knowledge, species selection has never been properly justified and there is no consensus on which species should be used as a baseline for knowledge about species in the public. Based on database analysis and two expert panel studies, a list of 50 bird species (occurring in Germany) is provided at the end of this paper. The list can be used by educational institutions, for example, but also for research to make studies about knowledge about species more comparable in the future. The loss of Earth's biodiversity is accompanied by a loss of public knowledge about species. Many scientists are convinced that knowledge about species is an important prerequisite to interest and investment in species conservation. In the past, knowledge about species has mostly been assessed using birds, but there is no consensus on which birds could serve as a baseline for knowledge about species in the general public. The aim of this study is to provide a list of the 'golden 50′ bird species in Germany that can be used by educational institutions, as well as studies about species knowledge to make them more comparable. The list can also serve as a basis for the selection of so-called flagship species, which are used for the protection of habitats and other species due to their high likeability. To achieve this, three consecutive steps were conducted: an analysis of bird-related databases to determine which species might be common and known and two expert panel studies. The data analysis included several factors: species characteristics, Citizen Science data, public value and importance, and scientific studies. In both the first and second rounds, experts were asked for their opinion on which species should be known by the general public in Germany. The first expert panel, which consisted of only a small group of experts (n = 6), was mainly used to reduce the number of species for the second panel. In the second expert panel, 197 ornithologically qualified experts from all over Germany were asked for their assessment. The correlations between the expert assessments and the different variables were all significant (except for the species trait "colourfulness"), which validates the selection process used here and consequently the species list that has been compiled. The selection process can also be applied to other biogeographical regions or taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There are a lot of only a few kinds of birds. Scientists want to describe this fact with the right statistical distribution. Most of the time, the lognormal distribution is used. A new study, however, finds that the number of bird species is best described by a log left-skewed distribution. For the same set of data, we examine the rank abundance distribution rather than the species abundance distribution. In this case, the number of birds in each rank is based on a power law distribution. Only a few bird species are abundant. Understanding the abundance distribution of bird species is critical for conservation efforts because rare species may be more vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change, and other threats. According to new data, a log left-skewed distribution, rather than a lognormal distribution, better adjusts to the abundance distribution of bird species. We look at the rank abundance distribution rather than the species abundance distribution that use the same data and find three power laws: for the top four species; for the abundant species minus the top four; and for the rare species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to explore the status of avifauna in the Barmer and Jalore districts of Rajasthan, from September 2021 to August 2022. A total of 111 bird species were identified during the study period. Point count and line transects methods were employed for counting the birds and their residential status. The residential status of bird species indicates that about 65% of bird species were local, 28% of bird species were migratory, and 7% of bird species were resident migrants. We determined the overall density of avian species in the Barmer and Jalore areas which were 173.34 and 214.34 birds per square kilometer, respectively. The Muscicapidae and Anatidae families show the highest relative diversity (7.27). For the identification of bird species, we used the standard guide. We also used the camera for photography and binoculars to observe the bird species. The maximum number of all types of bird species were noted near the main canal area than the small distributaries. The noisy place and disturbed areas were not preferred by the bird species. The density and diversity of bird species were affected by the noisy environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are significant habitats for bird populations, and knowledge of the diversity and other ecological aspects of bird species contribute to the management of the ecosystem. The present study was based on comparative studies of the diversity and relative abundance of bird species in the two wetlands of southwest Ethiopia. The point count method was utilized in this study. For the data analysis, the Shannon–Weaver diversity index, independent sample t-test, and similarity index were employed. A total of 36 bird species under 11 orders and 24 families were identified. The species diversity and relative abundance were higher in both wetlands during the wet season. The Loga wetland had the higher diversity (H' = 3.089), whereas the lowest species diversity (H' = 2.643) was recorded in the wetland of Hurri. During the dry season, the Loga wetland (H' = 2.738) and the Hurri habitat (H' = 2.283) had higher and lower diversity, respectively. Seasonal variations in bird species diversity are not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Although the two wetlands support several water birds, they have received no conservation attention from concerned bodies. Further follow-up studies over a long period will help determine species-specific conservation measures for wetland-dependent birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of urban green spaces as important habitats for the maintenance of diverse wildlife species is not well explored in the Philippines. Data on bird diversity in urban areas like Davao City is very scant. Thus, the study documented bird species diversity in 15 urban green spaces of Davao City. These areas were previously not surveyed based on published literature. This study is also the first attempt to determine the correlation between green space size and Shannon diversity values. Green spaces were pre-selected, and bird censuses following a zigzag walk across each green space were conducted from October--December 2019. Coordinates of surveyed areas plotted on a digital map were used to estimate green space size. Diversity values were calculated using Shannon and Simpson indices. Pearson r correlation was employed to calculate the correlation between green space size and Shannon diversity values. Fifty-three (53) species (32 families) were accounted for, with 28 species added to the current list of birds from Davao City's urban green spaces. Endemism was relatively low across all sites (17%). Only four species were common in all sites -- namely, Passer montanus, Lanius cristatus, Cinnyris jugularis, and Pycnonotus goiavier. Shannon diversity values varied across sites (highest H' = 3.128, lowest H' = 1.688) and showed a positive correlation (r = 0.54) with green space size. Despite positive correlation, larger green spaces do not necessarily have the highest Shannon diversity values, suggesting that bird diversity in urban green spaces may be influenced by other factors. This warrants verification in the future to include studies on green space vegetation and complexity, noise level, and impact of anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization adversely impacts biodiversity by reducing the quantity and quality of natural habitat areas. Additionally, the quality of natural habitat depends on its bio-physical characteristics (e.g., natural cover, impervious surfaces, urban tree canopy) as well as the functional traits of species inhabiting them (e.g., breeding/foraging habitat requirements). To better plan conservation of regional biodiversity in urbanized landscapes, it is therefore critical to assess the relationship between the landscape and the response of key Functional Trait Groups (FTGs) of species. To identify different FTGs of 116 avian species in the urbanized landscape of the Toronto region (Canada), we conducted a Functional Trait Analysis (FTA) using RLQ-fourth corner analysis. We focused on four species traits (diet, foraging, nesting, and territoriality) to identify the FTGs and their association with natural cover and landscape characteristics (landcover types, patch quality, habitat connectivity). Then, to predict FTG presence in relation to the landscape characteristics, we performed a Habitat Suitability Analysis (HSA). From this analysis, we found 21 avian FTGs with different habitat suitability values that correspond to forested patches and wetlands. The HSA for tree canopy, forest insectivore, and ground-nesting birds (or FTGs) have higher suitability values within forest patches, while aerial insectivores have higher suitability values in older residential neighborhoods indicating the value of the urban tree canopy. This methodological approach shows that by mapping habitat suitability by FTG one can identify strategic conservation areas that target multiple species, shifting efforts from a single species to a community-based functional focus. Our study highlights the conservation value of remnant and/or restored habitat patches in near urban and urban landscapes that help to maximize the persistence of regional avian biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Tropical montane cloud forests are one of the most important hotspots on Earth and show presence of relict-endemic and endangered species, representing about 14% of the total tropical forest worldwide. Synchronous seed production or masting in tropical montane cloud tree species is a widespread reproductive strategy of deciduous and evergreen broad-leaved tree associations to decrease costs of reproduction and ensure offspring. Masting event maintains a high avian diversity, which can be modified by phenological process (seed production and non-seed production). Methods The main aim of this study was to assess alpha and beta avian diversity and whether the composition of the trophic guild modifies among phenological processes and between two fragmented relict-endangered Mexican Beech (Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana) forests (Medio Monte and El Gosco) in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. In addition, we evaluated beechnut production. Results We recorded 36 bird species, 11 of them included in some conservation risk status, and 5 endemic species. Alpha diversity values were dissimilar in avian richness (q = 0) among phenological processes and between fragmented beech forests. Avian communities among three phenological processes and between fragmented forests were structurally similar, dominated during immature seeds the Brown-backed Solitaire (granivores–insectivores–frugivores); during mature seeds the White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis, granivores–frugivores); and the Dwarf Jay (Cyanolyca nana, insectivores) was abundant during low seed quality. The complementarity index was high among phenological processes and low between forests. We found a high bird turnover value between immature seeds—mature seeds and during mature seeds—low seed quality. Furthermore, a similar pattern was recorded between the two study forests. Seed production showed a high number of undamaged beechnuts in Medio Monte, while in El Gosco beechnuts were attacked by insects. Conclusions Our results reflect that masting phenological process and contrasting study forests’ structure influence the shifts in alpha and beta diversity of seed and non-seed bird consumers. Our study reaffirms the importance of continuing studies throughout masting in all the Mexican Beech forests to address regional efforts in preserving the relict-ecological interactions.

The loss of Earth’s biodiversity is accompanied by a loss of public knowledge about species. Many scientists are convinced that knowledge about species is an important prerequisite to interest and investment in species conservation. In the past, knowledge about species has mostly been assessed using birds, but there is no consensus on which birds could serve as a baseline for knowledge about species in the general public. The aim of this study is to provide a list of the ‘golden 50′ bird species in Germany that can be used by educational institutions, as well as studies about species knowledge to make them more comparable. The list can also serve as a basis for the selection of so-called flagship species, which are used for the protection of habitats and other species due to their high likeability. To achieve this, three consecutive steps were conducted: an analysis of bird-related databases to determine which species might be common and known and two expert panel studies. The data analysis included several factors: species characteristics, Citizen Science data, public value and importance, and scientific studies. In both the first and second rounds, experts were asked for their opinion on which species should be known by the general public in Germany. The first expert panel, which consisted of only a small group of experts (n = 6), was mainly used to reduce the number of species for the second panel. In the second expert panel, 197 ornithologically qualified experts from all over Germany were asked for their assessment. The correlations between the expert assessments and the different variables were all significant (except for the species trait “colourfulness”), which validates the selection process used here and consequently the species list that has been compiled. The selection process can also be applied to other biogeographical regions or taxa.

Aim: A major source of uncertainty in the application of species distribution models (SDMs) is related to input data quality. Citizen‐collected species occurrence data are often used for fitting SDMs when data from standardized and expert‐supported surveys are unavailable. Macroclimate variables are much more commonly used as predictors in SDMs than other sources coming from remote sensing data. Here, we assess the effects of using different data sources (in both response and predictor variables) on SDM performance across a wide range of species with contrasting distributional ranges. Location: Iberian Peninsula. Taxon: Birds. Methods: A SDM ensemble‐forecasting approach was implemented using bird data from two different data sources: the eBird project and Atlases. We fitted SDMs with three predictor types: macroclimate, remotely sensed ecosystem functional attributes (EFAs) and their combination. Species were grouped in four range size classes. We assessed the uncertainty of model predictions by different evaluation metrics. Generalized linear mixed‐effects models tested the effect on model performance of input data source across distributional range sizes while accounting for different accuracy metrics. Pairwise comparisons between range projections were used to assess their spatial similarity. Results: Data source, size class, predictor and accuracy metric showed significant effects on SDM performance. eBird‐based models outperformed those built with Atlas data for less widespread species. Climate predictors yielded models with the best performance, especially when combined with EFAs. However, the predictor contribution was consistent across bird datasets, being mostly driven by the species range. Main Conclusions: Our models demonstrated the usefulness and complementarity of different input data sources when modelling species distribution across different distributional ranges. These findings highlight the need to integrate different data sources to improve the model predictions at regional scale. Our framework also underlines that model uncertainty should be examined more exhaustively at early stages of the modelling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study analyses 61 years of phenological observations (1961–2021) of five herb, five shrub, four tree, and one bird species representing the prevalent spring species of floodplain forest ecosystems in the Czech Republic, central Europe. The in situ observations were conducted at the Vranovice site (48°48′ N, 16°46′ E, 170 m above mean sea level) representing the Plaček' forest National Reserve. The observed plants and bird species showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) shifts in phenological terms to an earlier date of the year, but the rate of the shift among the observed species differed. The most progressive shifts were detected for the herbs (14 days), followed by the shrubs (13 days), trees (9 days), and finally by the bird species (8 days). All the phenophases were significantly correlated with the daily maximum temperature (r = 0.72–0.91). The results also showed a decline in the correlation for species among the phenophases of the herbs and trees. The phenophases that were highly correlated in the past were less correlated and had higher variability in the last decades. We conclude that the phenological response of the ecosystem to warming in the spring resulted in higher variability and a lower correlation among the observed phenophases mainly caused by the most expressive phenological shifts of the early herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichomonas gallinae is a globally distributed protozoan parasite that causes avian trichomoniasis, leading to significant morbidity and mortality in birds. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationship of T. gallinae in various bird species in Beijing. A total of 413 oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from domestic pigeons, wild pigeons, and other bird species. The overall prevalence of T. gallinae infection was 32.0% (132/413). The infection was detected in domestic pigeons, wild pigeons, and red-necked turtledoves, but not in other wild birds. Molecular analysis identified two predominant genotypes, A and B, with genotype A found in wild pigeons and genotype B found in domestic pigeons. The present study provides valuable insights on the prevalence and genetic diversity of T. gallinae in Beijing. This can be useful for understanding its pathogen distribution and host range, and the development of strategies for the prevention and control of avian trichomoniasis. [Display omitted] • First investigation on T. gallinae prevalence and genotypes in wild birds in Beijing. • Two predominant T. gallinae genotypes identified, with implications for treatment strategies. • Higher infection rates in nestling birds, particularly domestic pigeons, compared to adults. • Insights into the epidemiology and genetics of T. gallinae in Beijing, with conservation implications. • Novel findings on the impact of environmental factors, such as supplementary food sources, on T. gallinae transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Climatic extremes and fire affect ecosystems across the globe, yet our understanding of how species are influenced by the interaction of these broadscale ecological drivers is poorly understood. Using a ten‐year dataset, we tested how extreme drought and rainfall interacted with time since fire (TSF) to shape bird species' distributions. Location: Semi‐arid mallee woodlands of south‐eastern Australia. Methods: We quantified the effects of climatic extremes on bird species' occurrence, species richness and incidence at 180 sites across three climatic periods—an El Niño‐associated drought (the "Big Dry"), immediately after La Niña drought‐breaking rainfall ("Big Wet") and three years following the La Niña event ("Post‐Big Wet"). We then compared species' responses with TSF across the three climatic periods using a chronosequence of sites from 1 to 117 years post‐fire. Results: La Niña rainfall had sustained impacts on species' occurrence. Over half of species increased significantly during the Big Wet. Despite three intervening years of below‐average rainfall, three quarters of these species remained comparably high, Post‐Big Wet. By contrast, less than half of threatened and declining species benefited from high rainfall. Responses of species to TSF were found to differ contingent on climatic conditions: almost twice as many species responded to TSF during the Big Wet and almost three times as many Post‐Big Wet, compared with the Big Dry. Across climatic periods, a majority of species showed preference for mid to older post‐fire vegetation. Main conclusions: Variation in responses to TSF is likely due to the effect of climatic variation on resources. We suggest that, at sites of different post‐fire age, interactions between TSF and climate may differentially influence both the availability and longevity of resources. Given climatic extremes are predicted to become increasingly severe with climate change, accounting for their influence on fauna–fire dynamics will require careful management of fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of indicator species in forest conservation and management planning can facilitate enhanced preservation of biodiversity from the negative effects of forestry and other uses of land. However, this requires detailed and spatially comprehensive knowledge of the habitat preferences and distributions of selected focal indicator species. Unfortunately, due to limited resources for field surveys, only a small proportion of the occurrences of focal species is usually known. This shortcoming can be circumvented by using modeling techniques to predict the spatial distribution of suitable sites for the target species. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) and other remote sensing (RS) techniques have the potential to provide useful environmental data covering systematically large areas for these purposes. Here, we focused on six bird of prey and woodpecker species known to be good indicators of boreal forest biodiversity values. We used known nest sites of the six indicator species based on nestling ringing records. Thus, the most suitable nesting sites of these species provide important information for biodiversity‐friendly forest management and conservation planning. We developed fine‐grained, that is, 96 × 96 m grid cell resolution, predictive maps across the whole of Finland of the suitable nesting habitats based on ALS and other RS data and spatial information on the distribution of important forest stands for the six studied biodiversity indicator bird species based on nesting‐habitat suitability modeling, that is, the MaxEnt model. Habitat preferences of the study species, as determined by MaxEnt, were in line with the previous knowledge of species‐habitat relations. The proportion of suitable habitats of these species in protected areas (PAs) was considerable, but our analysis also revealed many potentially high‐quality forest stands outside PAs. However, many of these sites are increasingly threatened by logging because of increased pressures for using forests for bioeconomy and forest industry based on National Forest Strategy. Predicting habitat suitability based on information on the nest sites of indicator species provides a new tool for systematic conservation planning over large areas in boreal forests in Europe, and a corresponding approach would also be feasible and recommendable elsewhere where similar data are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic detection of calling bird species is advantageous for monitoring the environment on a broad scale, both temporally and spatially. Numerous investigations have been influenced by feature representations employed in the field of automatic voice recognition. In this study, we investigated deep neural networks on a dataset of 12,061 files for voice recognition for 22 bird species. The methodology adopted in the current study deviates from the existing approaches by integrating transfer learning. Also, multiple feature extraction techniques have been used to extract features from audio to analyze bird sounds, including the Fourier Transform, Mel-Spectrogram, and Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients. The study's main objective is to develop intelligent systems that can predict the different species of bird from the collected set of audio data recordings. The current work verifies that deep transfer learning models like ResNet50, DenseNet201, InceptionV3, Xception and Efficient Net can effectively extract and recognize the audio signals from different bird species with significant prediction accuracy. The absolute best classification accuracy is 97.43%, which DenseNet201 and ResNet50 classification model attained on validation set. Also, DenseNet201 incurred least validation loss (0.1080). The Xception model performed best with the training data and achieved 100% training accuracy and incurred least loss (0.0011). Thus, our study brings us a solution to quantify/test deep learning models appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of environmental factors (water conditions) on water bird's distribution and abundance was determined using distance sampling point count method, direct visual observation and principal component analysis (PCA) at Tiffech lake Wetland, North East of Algeria. A total of 26 bird species were recorded in the present study; of these, 12 were passage visitor, 7 winter visitors, 5 winter migrant and 2 species are resident breeder. The R i386 (version 4.0.3) software were used for data analyzing. Principal component analysis indicated strong correlation ship between water bird abundance and environmental factors (water conditions) (86.35%) in Tiffech lake wetland. The most important environmental factors associated with abundance of water bird's species composition in Tiffech lake communities were water pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, nitrites and chloride. While among the environmental factors water Temperature and phosphore showed a negative correlation. This study gives important insights on ecological relationships between water bird's biodiversity and environmental factors in a primary wetland ecosystem in North East of Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background True cicadas (Cicadidae) are large and temporarily abundant insects. Their availability may produce demographic and behavioural effects on bird populations, as happens with forest avifauna feeding on periodical cicadas in North America. In Europe, the Near East and North Africa, knowledge of cicada predation by birds is sparse. Methods To help fill this gap, I consulted Cramp’s Birds of the Western Palearctic, conducted a search of online databases and used search engines to generate a database of Western Palearctic birds known to eat cicadas. Results A total of 105 species (16% of those occurring in the region) belonging to 13 orders, and comprising 20 of the 33 passerine families, were found to consume cicadas. I estimated that 69 of these bird species are known to consume cicadas within the limits of the Western Palearctic. Many terrestrial birds predate on cicadas, preferably on adults. Avian predators include cuckoos, owls, bee-eaters, woodpeckers, falcons, reed-warblers, larks, crows and jays, buntings, shrikes, pipits and wagtails, flycatchers and chats, tits, sparrows, leaf-warblers, starlings, warblers and thrushes, but also terns and gulls. Nymphs are consumed by some passerines, owls and herons. Cicadas can make up as much as 70% of food items delivered to nestlings. Analysis of stomach contents and neck collar samples are the most common methods used in diet studies. Conclusions Available knowledge is biased towards species that have been more intensively studied, and often lack proper quantification of prey items. More studies about the relative importance of cicadas as prey for birds in the Western Palearctic are needed. I suggest using non-invasive studies based on pellets and droppings and prioritizing declining bird species.

Background: Tropical montane cloud forests are one of the most important hotspots on Earth and show presence of relict-endemic and endangered species, representing about 14% of the total tropical forest worldwide. Synchronous seed production or masting in tropical montane cloud tree species is a widespread reproductive strategy of deciduous and evergreen broad-leaved tree associations to decrease costs of reproduction and ensure offspring. Masting event maintains a high avian diversity, which can be modified by phenological process (seed production and non-seed production). Methods: The main aim of this study was to assess alpha and beta avian diversity and whether the composition of the trophic guild modifies among phenological processes and between two fragmented relict-endangered Mexican Beech (Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana) forests (Medio Monte and El Gosco) in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. In addition, we evaluated beechnut production. Results: We recorded 36 bird species, 11 of them included in some conservation risk status, and 5 endemic species. Alpha diversity values were dissimilar in avian richness (q = 0) among phenological processes and between fragmented beech forests. Avian communities among three phenological processes and between fragmented forests were structurally similar, dominated during immature seeds the Brown-backed Solitaire (granivores–insectivores–frugivores); during mature seeds the White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis, granivores–frugivores); and the Dwarf Jay (Cyanolyca nana, insectivores) was abundant during low seed quality. The complementarity index was high among phenological processes and low between forests. We found a high bird turnover value between immature seeds—mature seeds and during mature seeds—low seed quality. Furthermore, a similar pattern was recorded between the two study forests. Seed production showed a high number of undamaged beechnuts in Medio Monte, while in El Gosco beechnuts were attacked by insects. Conclusions: Our results reflect that masting phenological process and contrasting study forests' structure influence the shifts in alpha and beta diversity of seed and non-seed bird consumers. Our study reaffirms the importance of continuing studies throughout masting in all the Mexican Beech forests to address regional efforts in preserving the relict-ecological interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization adversely impacts biodiversity by reducing the quantity and quality of natural habitat areas. Additionally, the quality of natural habitat depends on its bio-physical characteristics (e.g., natural cover, impervious surfaces, urban tree canopy) as well as the functional traits of species inhabiting them (e.g., breeding/foraging habitat requirements). To better plan conservation of regional biodiversity in urbanized landscapes, it is therefore critical to assess the relationship between the landscape and the response of key Functional Trait Groups (FTGs) of species. To identify different FTGs of 116 avian species in the urbanized landscape of the Toronto region (Canada), we conducted a Functional Trait Analysis (FTA) using RLQ-fourth corner analysis. We focused on four species traits (diet, foraging, nesting, and territoriality) to identify the FTGs and their association with natural cover and landscape characteristics (landcover types, patch quality, habitat connectivity). Then, to predict FTG presence in relation to the landscape characteristics, we performed a Habitat Suitability Analysis (HSA). From this analysis, we found 21 avian FTGs with different habitat suitability values that correspond to forested patches and wetlands. The HSA for tree canopy, forest insectivore, and ground-nesting birds (or FTGs) have higher suitability values within forest patches, while aerial insectivores have higher suitability values in older residential neighborhoods indicating the value of the urban tree canopy. This methodological approach shows that by mapping habitat suitability by FTG one can identify strategic conservation areas that target multiple species, shifting efforts from a single species to a community-based functional focus. Our study highlights the conservation value of remnant and/or restored habitat patches in near urban and urban landscapes that help to maximize the persistence of regional avian biodiversity.

Changes in distribution and abundance of species affect the entirety of biodiversity and monitoring these changes is critical for the efficient conservation of integrity and functions of species population. However, acquiring accurate information on biodiversity over large spatial scales poses a challenge since such data is patchy and incomplete, if not unavailable, in many areas. This study aims at examining the applicability of a novel approach based on Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to develop spatial predictions of Essential Biodiversity variables (EBVs; variables to be quantified at certain points in time and space to monitor variations in biodiversity) for birds based on bird diversity metrics such as the distributions of properties of key bird habitats. A major objective of this study is to build bird SDMs which can be used to derive spatial EBVs for bird species at a regional scale. We used as predictors 16 environmental variables that are known to be ecologically meaningful for birds, including two bioclimatic variables (Bio17 =precipitation of driest quarter and Bio7 =temperature annual range) for three periods of ‘current’, ‘future 2050′, and ‘future 2070′, eleven land-cover (land use) predictors, the normalized difference vegetation index, and two topographic variables (slope and topography). We used multiple modeling techniques to build presence-only SDMs relating bird presence to environmental features of each species. Here, we show that the suitability estimated according to the SDMs can be used as a spatial ‘species distribution’ EBV (SD EBV) and reflect the habitat quality and trends in land use and climatic impacts on populations of bird species. These developments could facilitate monitoring of bird species across space and time, ultimately helping to identify priority conservation areas, estimate habitat suitability and provide early warning signs regarding bird distribution trends. In general, bioclimatic variables, topography and forest structure were identified to have important ties to the species probability maps generated on the basis of the SDMs, signifying a dominant role of bioclimatic variable Bio17 in the development of habitat suitability patterns.

Sensitivity of bird species to environmental metal pollution varies but there is currently no general framework to predict species-specific sensitivity. Such information would be valuable from a conservation point-of-view. Calcium (Ca) has antagonistic effects on metal toxicity and studies with some common model species show that low dietary and circulating calcium (Ca) levels indicate higher sensitivity to harmful effects of toxic metals. Here we measured fecal Ca and five other macroelement (potassium K, magnesium Mg, sodium Na, phosphorus P, sulphur S) concentrations as proxies for dietary levels in 66 bird species to better understand their interspecific variation and potential use as an indicator of metal sensitivity in a wider range of species (the main analyses include 39 species). We found marked interspecific differences in fecal Ca concentration, which correlated positively with Mg and negatively with Na, P and S levels. Lowest Ca concentrations were found in insectivorous species and especially aerial foragers, such as swifts (Apodidae) and swallows (Hirundinidae). Instead, ground foraging species like starlings (Sturnidae), sparrows (Passeridae), cranes (Gruidae) and larks (Alaudidae) showed relatively high fecal Ca levels. Independent of phylogeny, insectivorous diet and aerial foraging seem to indicate low Ca levels and potential sensitivity to toxic metals. Our results, together with information published on fecal Ca levels and toxic metal impacts, suggest that fecal Ca levels are a promising new tool to evaluate potential metal-sensitivity of birds, and we encourage gathering such information in other bird species. Information on the effects of metals on breeding parameters in a wider range of bird species would also help in ranking species by their sensitivity to metal pollution. [Display omitted] • Low dietary Ca levels are known to make birds prone to metal toxicity. • Nestlings' fecal macroelement levels were measured for 66 bird species. • Insectivorous species showed lowest Ca levels, being potentially sensitive to toxic metals. • Omnivores and ground foragers showed high Ca levels, being likely less sensitive to toxic metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]